Craveworthy Brands, a fast-casual restaurant platform that includes Budlong Southern Chicken among a dozen other brands, has launched Craveworthy Kitchen, its shared-kitchen concept, in downtown Chicago, US.
The new shared-kitchen concept is situated on the second floor of 333 South Wabash Avenue, inside Hayden Hall.
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Craveworthy Kitchen represents a distinctive initiative by the company as it seeks to broaden its presence with a co-branded space.
The new setup allows customers to access a variety of Craveworthy’s brands in a single location.
Craveworthy Kitchen at Hayden Hall is currently home to five of the company’s brands: Budlong Southern Chicken, Krafted Smashburgers, the Lucky Cat Poke Co, Pastizza Pizza & Pasta and the newly introduced breakfast spot, Scramblin’ Ed’s.
The company is also planning to launch three additional concepts, including a full-service restaurant.
Hayden Hall, located in the distinctive red exterior building known as “Big Red,” was initially developed by DMK Restaurants and launched in early 2020.
However, it was forced to close shortly after this due to the pandemic. Now, Craveworthy Brands has become its first occupant since the closure.
Spanning 25,000ft², Hayden Hall offers food court-style bays, a coffee shop and a full-service restaurant, all of which will be part of Craveworthy’s future plans.
Five stalls are currently operational, with a formal opening scheduled for late summer or early autumn 2024.
The company aims to transform small to mid-size brands into national franchises, targeting $1bn in systemwide sales up to 2028. It continuously seeking new brands to incorporate.
Craveworthy Brands founder and CEO Gregg Majewski stated: “Craveworthy Kitchen at Hayden Hall is a game-changer for Craveworthy Brands, telling an exciting new chapter in our story.
“Born from the heart of Chicago, many of the brands showcased here embody the city’s vibrant culinary spirit.
“This venture underscores our relentless commitment to innovation, empowering our brands to thrive in new markets and staying ahead of trends in the evolving space.”
In January 2024, Craveworthy Brands acquired a significant stake in Utah-based cookie chain Dirty Dough.
