Three friends grew something from $900 and a small frying pan into a billion-dollar company.

 The project includes over 300 branches across the US, Canada, UK and the Middle East.

What started as a thoughtful idea between friends has blossomed into one of the most inspiring success stories in the entrepreneurial world. With no restaurant or business experience, Armen Oganezian, a young comedian, convinced his friends Dave Kovsian and Tommy Roupenian to start a Nashville Hot Chicken joint in an East Hollywood parking lot.

With a budget of just $900 and some basic equipment they scavenged from around the house, they opened a small stand they called "Dave's Hot Chicken." On the first day, they were disappointed, selling only four meals. But a few days later, a stroke of luck struck them, when a local food critic came by and wrote about them, sparking an unexpected response.

Encouraged by their rapid success, they expanded their business and, with the support of Roupenian's brother, opened their first permanent location. Since then, high-profile investors including actor Samuel L. Jackson and TV personality Michael Strahan have joined the venture, and the brand has transformed into a global chain with more than 300 branches across the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and the Middle East, according to CNBC citing Al Arabiya Business.

CEO Bill Phillips said the company's recent deal with Roark Capital, which acquired a majority stake in the company, valued it at "close to $1 billion." But the founders will retain a minority stake and continue to lead the company.

"Despite skepticism, we believed in the idea," Oganezian said, describing the moment he shared his first profits with his friends as "the biggest amount of money I've ever seen."