Hen House Nashville Files for Bankruptcy
Yet not every player has been able to ride the wave.
Hen House Nashville filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it seeks to reorganize after roughly five years in business. The Buffalo, N.Y.-based operator submitted its petition Feb. 1 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York in Buffalo.
According to RK Consultants, the filing lists approximately $13,400 in assets and between $100,000 and $500,000 in liabilities — a stark imbalance that underscores the challenges facing smaller operators in a crowded market.
The debtor did not specify a particular reason for seeking bankruptcy protection in its court documents.
A Pandemic-Era Dream Meets Economic Headwinds
Hen House Group Inc. founder Sal Andolina conceived the business during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In spring 2021, he launched the concept from a bright red food truck, serving Nashville hot chicken sandwiches and chicken fingers to eager customers, according to WKBW-TV.
What began as a pandemic-born venture fueled by grit and spice has now entered restructuring — a reminder that even in a booming category, survival is not guaranteed.
As fried chicken continues to dominate headlines and balance sheets alike, the story of Hen House underscores a paradox: in an industry sizzling with growth, the heat can still be too much for some to handle.
