Craveworthy Expands With Untamed Brands

In just over a year, Craveworthy Brands has transformed from a fledgling multi-concept operator into a rapid-growth platform. The portfolio spans legacy concepts, emergent brands, and virtual concepts, a deliberate mix designed to spread risk and accelerate scale. The most consequential move arrived in May 2024 with the acquisition of Untamed Brands, adding taim Mediterranean Kitchen and Hot Chicken Takeover to Craveworthy’s fold. This isn’t a one-off expansion; it’s a calculated leap that reshapes how fast casual can operate at scale. The industry chatter frames the deal as a platform play, not just a headline grab. Craveworthy’s leadership has framed the acquisition as a catalyst for cross-brand learning, supply-chain leverage, and smarter menu thinking across the portfolio.

That move follows a clear logic: merge breadth with balance. By incorporating taim Mediterranean Kitchen and Hot Chicken Takeover into a unified operating umbrella, Craveworthy preserves each brand’s identity while tapping into a shared infrastructure. The result is a portfolio designed to weather market swings — pricing, supply costs, and guest expectations — without depending on a single concept for growth. Industry observers note that the timing aligns with a broader shift toward platform-based expansion, where scale enables better purchasing power and more aggressive product development. The plan also hints at strategic regional moves, such as the idea to pair Hot Chicken Takeover with Budlong Southern Chicken in Chicago to optimize performance while respecting local roots.

Becca McIntyre, Craveworthy’s vice president of culinary and supply chain, leads the integration on the culinary front. Her charge is to review potential menu shifts in acquired brands while safeguarding the origin stories that built them. The framework emphasizes continuity—honoring the roots of taim and Hot Chicken Takeover—while applying Craveworthy’s network of suppliers and a disciplined test-and-scale mindset. This is not a reckless rebrand; it’s a calculated orchestration of resources that translates fast growth into coherent flavor language across the family.

Craveworthy’s philosophy centers on thoughtful, origin-driven menu development and cross-brand learnings to fine-tune pricing and product mix. The public narrative emphasizes value without erasing identity, with Untamed’s brands acting as a proving ground for how sourcing, development, and market testing can operate at scale. The conversation around McIntyre’s work, and the broader deal cadence, signals a mature stance: build on heritage, push efficiency, and keep guest expectations in view.