Oakland’s World Famous Hotboys Sells 1,000,000 Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches Since Their 2019 Opening

Long time friends Berk Visual and Victor Ghaben are the dynamic duo behind World Famous Hotboys, one of the best places to sink your teeth into a Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich in California (and Indianapolis). After getting their start in the restaurant world helping the Ghaben family team actualize other Bay Area restaurant concepts that include Lafayette, California’s Batch & Brine, they decided to embark on their own mission to open the best hot chicken spot they could. Enter: World Famous Hotboys.

What began as a pop-up in Oakland, California, has now grown to four locations with other brick and mortar spots in Sacramento, Walnut Creek and Indianapolis. Known for their ridiculously delicious hot chicken sandos, which come in seven — yes seven — heat levels ranging from Southern (no spice) to Hot (painfully spicy), Hotboys has soared in popularity since opening their first location in Oakland in 2019. The original location features a hip, retro-vibe and serves as a popular hang out in the community.

“Oakland is special for sure, it has one of the strongest communities in the world. Its innovative, open minded and opinionated and we love that,” says both Ghaben and Berk of Hotboys’ hometown. “We are constantly inspired by the art and music that comes from the Bay Area and of course the support! We don’t call it “Oakland hot chicken” for nothing.”

The menu’s hit is the classic sando is made with a chicken thigh coated in a seasoned batter and deep fried, topped with pickles and slaw, and a special sauce, all sandwiched between a soft, toasted bun. It’s super crunchy on-the-outside, and juicy on-the-inside. Also on the menu is a selection of breakfast items like the Chicken and Waffles and the Loco Moco; chicken tenders; fried chicken combos; premium fries like the Hoosier Fries topped with house made gravy and shredded cheese; and etouffees, that include the Chicken Etoufee with veggies and herbs simmered in a roux served with rice.

We chatted with Berk Visual and Victor Ghaben on all things Hotboys. Here’s what they had to say.

How did Hotboys come about? You come from a family of restaurateurs, how did that help you launch your own business? Has it helped you?

After attending college in Nashville, Berk met Victor in Boulder, Colorado. While working in the music industry, the two shared many common interests and became close friends. Later they both moved to California (where Berk slept on Vics couch for months) and the two had many business ideas and attempts, but eventually landed on a Hot Chicken spot that would embody their love for food and music, skateboarding, graffiti, and retro gaming, among other things.

World Famous Hotboys began as a backyard pop up in Oakland, California which quickly grew in popularity due to the brand’s “lifestyle” approach and insanely delicious chicken sandos (voted #1 in California by Yelp!). The support of the Ghaben family has been integral in this growth as Vic and Berk were able to concentrate more on the quality of the food and creative branding.

What’s the inspiration behind the Hotboys menu and overall vibes? What are the signatures/ must tries?

Vibe wise we draw directly from our lives, our childhood specifically. The vibe is energetic and in your face, it’s bright and colorful and more friendly than serious. Food wise the menu is kind, welcoming, comforting and true to its roots. Its simple on purpose and focuses on doing one thing and doing it well!

The menu is carefully crafted to create an unforgettable eating experience all based around one protein. We put a lot of intention into making really good food and often say that the vibes at Hotboys are great, but the food is even better. Accessibility is very important to us so we have created some new lower price point items on the breakfast and lunch and dinner menus to ensure that everyone gets to enjoy our World Famous flavor.

The original staples are still the most popular the Sando, Premium fries and Bonuts, but the new Tender Sando and Pollo Moco are catching up quick. Whatever you order make sure to add a side of our house made sage gravy or etouffee.

Congrats on selling over a million sandwiches! What do you attribute your success to? Why are the sandwiches so good?

Thank you! We wont deny the recent popularity of Nashville hot chicken and although Berk has been eating it since 1999, we didn’t invent Hot Chicken. We just have our own way of doing it. We are at home in Nashville, have done our homework and will always love East Nashville’s own Bolton’s Hot Chicken and fish.

Vic spent years perfecting our recipe and has fought to keep it the same since we opened. We have even received the nod of approval from Nashville OGs members of the Prince family. The chicken is unique and well balanced and we put love into every order! Our interpretation has even inspired some copycats around town, but hey, isn’t imitation the highest form of flattery?

To be honest, our best guess, the reason we’ve been able to sell this many sandos in such a short time (2019-2023) is probably more due to the impact that we have had in the communities that we serve. We know our customers personally, many on a first name basis. We care about what they like and help cultivate that in the streets.

We provide meals for the unhoused on a daily basis, we stay open on holidays and serve the less fortunate, we create and curate special events that support local athletes and artists and more. We know that our guests and staff feel like they are a part of Hotboys, and we love that!

Do you have plans for expansion? What’s in the pipeline? Anything new you’re working on?

We are very happy with the growth and definitely plan to continue growing organically. (Without outside investors!) We attribute the growth to the success and scaleability of the branding and menu and plan to introduce it to as many new markets as possible.

Expect a hybrid Hotboys concept that should open this year on Mission Blvd. in Hayward, California, as well as, continued growth in the midwest (we opened in the Fountain Square neighborhood of Indianapolis in May 2022 and love it). The way we see it, we are just getting started! We’re restless creatives and are working on new concepts constantly. We have also branched out into doing some consulting recently.