Daddy’s Chicken Shack has been acquired by New Jersey-based Esperto Hospitality Group, which plans to relaunch the fast-casual chicken brand and open its first company-owned restaurant in New Jersey later this year. The brand was acquired from Area 15 Ventures, the investment firm linked to RE/MAX co-founder Dave Liniger.
Esperto was already one of Daddy’s Chicken Shack’s early regional development partners before taking ownership of the company.
Founded in Pasadena, California, in 2018 by chef Pace Webb, Daddy’s Chicken Shack built its reputation around a Southern-inspired menu featuring fried and grilled chicken sandwiches, sliders, burritos, salads, loaded fries and popcorn chicken. The concept attracted investment from Area 15 Ventures in 2021 before the private-equity-backed group acquired the brand and began pursuing national franchising efforts.
Under the new ownership structure, Esperto Hospitality Group plans to relaunch the brand with a more streamlined operating model focused on improved unit economics, a smaller restaurant footprint and a simplified menu. The redesigned format will target locations between 1,400 and 1,800 square feet, significantly smaller than the previous 2,600-2,800 square-foot prototype, enabling lower development costs and greater site flexibility. The company has also introduced the new brand tagline, “A Little Cocky, For Good Reason,” as part of the repositioning effort.
The first restaurant under Esperto’s ownership is scheduled to open in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, during the third quarter of 2026. The opening forms part of a broader regional development strategy that will see Esperto launch 13 Daddy’s Chicken Shack locations across Monmouth and Ocean counties over the coming years.
Esperto Hospitality Group, headquartered in Holmdel, New Jersey, operates several hospitality concepts including Covo Italian Steakhouse, The Office Restaurant & Lounge, Catezza Italian Kitchen & Bar, Local House Kitchen + Bar and Café Pari. The company is led by President John DiLeo Jr. and Vice President Anthony DiLeo, supported by Director of Operations Tony Ruccio, a former Darden Restaurants executive, and Director of Culinary Jonathan Rice.
Commenting on the acquisition, John DiLeo Jr., President of Esperto Hospitality Group, said: “Daddy’s is a brand that does things the right way with real ingredients, real craft and no shortcuts. That’s the same standard we hold ourselves to across every concept we operate. This is a natural fit, and we’re committed to building it the way it deserves to be built, carefully, with the right team, in the right markets.”
Area 15 Ventures Managing Director Adam Contos added: “We’ve always believed that the right operator, with the right team in the right market is how you grow a brand. John and Anthony DiLeo have built something genuinely impressive in New Jersey. They understand hospitality at a level that is rare, and they’re exactly who you want carrying this brand into a new region.”
Ryan Murrin, Chief Marketing Officer of Daddy’s Chicken Shack, said Esperto had been involved with the brand from its early franchising days as one of its original regional developers. He noted that the group’s deep hospitality expertise and familiarity with the concept made it well positioned to lead the brand’s next phase of growth.
The acquisition also brings with it a substantial development pipeline. Five regional developers holding 10-unit agreements each have transitioned with the deal, creating a committed pipeline of 50 units across East Coast territories as well as Houston, Austin and Los Angeles. These commitments provide a foundation for future expansion as Esperto seeks to accelerate growth under its ownership.
While Daddy’s Chicken Shack has reportedly signed approximately 160 franchise development agreements since launching its franchise program, only a limited number of restaurants are currently operating. Esperto believes the brand’s refined operating model, stronger economics and experienced hospitality leadership can help convert development commitments into long-term growth.
The transaction signals a significant shift for the emerging chicken concept, moving ownership from a private-equity-backed franchising platform to an operator-led hospitality group that intends to build the brand through disciplined regional expansion, beginning in its home market of New Jersey before pursuing broader East Coast growth.
