A new fast-casual chicken restaurant concept is looking to roost in Metro Atlanta.

Daddy’s Chicken Shack, a Pasadena, California-based chain, plans to open 10 Metro Atlanta locations after signing a deal with local franchise owner Reggie Lowe. This is the first restaurant venture for Lowe, the founder and operator of the HVAC service firm Apex Residential Solutions.

In an interview, Lowe told Bisnow he is actively scouting for sites in Metro Atlanta, especially in communities already served by fast-casual eateries such as Five Guys and Starbucks.

“You've got to be near that clientele,” Lowe said.

Lowe has yet to sign a lease but is hunting for restaurant spaces between 1,600 SF and 2,200 SF, preferably in standalone buildings. He expects the first Atlanta-area location to open on the city's southside, and he is also touring sites at Summerhill in Downtown Atlanta and as far out as Rockdale County. Securing space has been harder than expected, he said.

“We’re not having any luck right now,” Lowe said. “You've got to have [the restaurants] in certain demographics.”

Daddy’s Chicken Shack was founded in 2018 by CEO Pace Webb and her husband, President Chris Georgalas. One of the company's early financial backers was RE/MAX co-founder Dave Liniger, who is also the local franchisee in Denver and Phoenix.

“Now with our flagship location in Houston ready to open its doors, we’re really starting to see our franchise expansion plan come to life,” Webb said in a statement. “Atlanta is an amazing growth market that will undoubtedly lead to accelerated expansion across the Southern United States.”

With menu items like the Big Daddy Sandwich, Nashville Daddy Sandwich, Waffle Daddy Sandwich and Daddy’s Loaded Fries, Webb designed each menu item with flavors blended from the Southern U.S. and Southeast Asia, according to a press release. The restaurants also are heavily technology-driven, with orders facilitated with an online app or in-store web ordering units and third-party delivery partnerships.

The company recently signed an agreement for 20 locations in Orlando and Daytona Beach, Florida. Franchisees secure markets of 1 million or more in population and can choose to open self-owned units or with other independent franchisees, Chief Development Officer Ben Litalien said in a release.

Lowe said he hopes to open the first Atlanta Daddy's Chicken Shack next summer.