Claire Thompson
Dave's Hot Chicken is an American fast-food chain that has experienced rapid expansion since its founding in 2017. The chain, which serves Nashville-style hot chicken, has grown from a single restaurant in Los Angeles to over 100 locations in four countries by mid-2022. As of 2024, there were 283 Dave's Hot Chicken locations in the United States, with about 70 of those in California. The chain has also expanded internationally, with locations in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East, including Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh. With a goal of opening 150 new locations per year, Dave's Hot Chicken continues to rapidly grow its presence in the fast-casual restaurant market.
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What You'll Learn
Dave's Hot Chicken has over 270 locations worldwide
Dave's Hot Chicken is a fast-food chain that serves Nashville-style hot chicken. The first Dave's Hot Chicken was opened in May 2017 by Armenian-American childhood friends Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan. They started with a small street food stand in a parking lot in Los Angeles' East Hollywood neighborhood. The chain expanded to over 100 locations in four countries by mid-2022. As of 2024, there were 283 Dave's Hot Chicken locations in the United States alone, with about 70 of those in California. The chain has locations in 41 states and territories in the United States.
Dave's Hot Chicken has expanded internationally as well. The chain's first international location opened in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in January 2021. In September 2022, Dave's Hot Chicken opened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In November 2022, the chain expanded to Doha, Qatar, and in July 2023, it opened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Dave's Hot Chicken aims to open 150 new locations each year and is working with around 75 franchisees. The company is flexible in terms of location requirements and is even testing smaller formats in places like food courts.
The popularity of Dave's Hot Chicken can be attributed to its signature hot chicken recipe developed by trained chef and co-founder Dave Kopushyan. The chain offers a simple menu with only four choices: hot chicken tenders, sliders, or a combination of both. Customers can choose from seven different spice levels for their chicken, ranging from "no spice" to "reaper", which requires a waiver to be signed due to its extreme spiciness.
The restaurants are also known for their vibrant and colorful graffiti murals created by local artists, adding a unique and recognizable style to each location. In addition to its delicious food, Dave's Hot Chicken has gained attention from celebrity investors like Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, Maria Shriver, and Michael Strahan, and Tom Werner. The chain was acquired by private equity firm Roark Capital in 2025 for $1 billion, fueling its expansion plans.
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The chain aims to open 150 new locations annually
Dave's Hot Chicken is an American fast-casual restaurant chain that was founded in 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The chain has experienced rapid expansion since its inception, with a presence in four countries and over 100 locations by mid-2022. The restaurant's menu features Nashville-style hot chicken with seven spice levels to choose from.
In April 2025, Dave's Hot Chicken announced ambitious expansion plans, aiming to open 150 new locations annually. This aggressive growth strategy reflects the chain's success and popularity among customers. With a current tally of around 300 franchise locations, primarily in the United States, Dave's Hot Chicken is poised to solidify its presence in existing markets and break into new territories.
The expansion plan of 150 new locations per year is a significant undertaking for any restaurant chain. To put it into perspective, this would mean opening nearly three new locations every week, or one new location every other day, on average. Such rapid expansion requires a well-oiled infrastructure, efficient supply chain management, and a dedicated franchisee network.
Dave's Hot Chicken has a unique approach to its locations, opting for non-traditional spaces such as former mattress and mobile phone stores, office buildings, and apartments. They are also open to smaller formats, such as food courts, and have flexible space requirements, considering areas ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet. This adaptability allows them to capitalise on a variety of real estate opportunities.
The chain's expansion strategy is not solely focused on quantity but also on the quality of their franchisees. They seek operators with experience and market knowledge, preferably groups that own multiple quick-service or fast-casual restaurants in their target markets. This approach ensures that their franchisees have the expertise and resources to successfully operate and promote the Dave's Hot Chicken brand.
With its sights set on aggressive expansion, Dave's Hot Chicken is well-positioned to become an even more prominent player in the restaurant industry. The chain's popularity, coupled with its flexible location strategy and discerning franchisee selection, sets the stage for a successful realisation of their ambitious growth plans.
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Locations vary from small shops to large restaurants
Dave's Hot Chicken has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a small street food stand in a parking lot in Los Angeles. The chain has experienced rapid expansion, with locations varying from small shops to large restaurants. The company is not rigid when it comes to location requirements and is open to considering various spaces for its outlets. While an ideal restaurant size is 2,500 square feet, Dave's Hot Chicken can work with spaces ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet. This flexibility has allowed them to open restaurants in diverse settings, including former mattress and mobile phone stores, ground floors of office buildings and apartments, and even food courts.
The chain's first restaurant opened in a strip mall on Western Avenue, Los Angeles, in late 2018, featuring street art by local artists, which has become a signature style. By 2021, Dave's Hot Chicken had expanded to the Bay Area, with stores in Santa Rosa and Union City, and by 2022, they had added several more locations in California. That same year, they expanded into multiple states, including Wisconsin, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Florida.
The company's expansion strategy has been aggressive, aiming for 150 new locations per year. As of 2025, they have around 300 franchise locations across the United States and a presence in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East. Their first international location opened in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in January 2021, and they have since expanded to Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh.
Dave's Hot Chicken has become a notable player in the restaurant industry, known for its vibrant and colourful graffiti murals in domestic franchises, created by Los Angeles-area artists SplatterHaus and Dehmq. The chain caters to a wide range of customers by offering various formats, from small shops to large restaurants, and even testing out smaller formats in food courts. This versatility in location size and setting has likely contributed to their success and ability to reach a diverse customer base.
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The brand has expanded into the Middle East
Dave's Hot Chicken has experienced rapid expansion since its founding in 2017. The brand has expanded into the Middle East, with locations in Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh, marking its entry into the region. The first Middle Eastern location opened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in September 2022, followed by Doha, Qatar, in November 2022, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in July 2023. This expansion demonstrates the brand's growing popularity and its ability to adapt its Nashville-style hot chicken concept to new markets.
The expansion into the Middle East is part of Dave's Hot Chicken's aggressive growth strategy, aiming for 150 new locations per year. The brand has successfully entered new markets and established a presence in multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, in addition to its Middle Eastern expansion. As of December 26, 2024, there were 283 Dave's Hot Chicken locations in the United States alone, with California having the most locations at 70.
The Middle Eastern expansion brings the brand's unique offering to a new region, introducing locals to Nashville-style hot chicken. Dave's Hot Chicken allows customers to choose from seven different spice levels for their chicken, ranging from "no spice" to "reaper", which requires a waiver to be signed due to its extreme spiciness. This customization appeals to a wide range of tastes and preferences, making the brand accessible to diverse cultures and palates.
The brand's entry into the Middle East showcases its adaptability and resonance with international audiences. By opening locations in Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh, Dave's Hot Chicken has tapped into new markets and brought its unique take on fried chicken to a region with a strong food culture. The expansion demonstrates the brand's ability to navigate cultural nuances and regulatory frameworks in different countries, adapting its offerings to meet local tastes and regulations.
Dave's Hot Chicken's Middle Eastern expansion has likely been facilitated by its partnership with experienced investors and operators. Celebrity investors such as Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Strahan have brought not only financial resources but also increased brand awareness and buzz to the company. The involvement of investors with expertise in the food-and-beverage industry, such as Roark Capital, has likely provided strategic insights and operational efficiencies that have supported the brand's rapid growth and successful entry into new markets, including the Middle East.
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Celebrity investors include Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, and Usher
Dave's Hot Chicken is a fast-food chain that serves Nashville-style hot chicken. The first Dave's Hot Chicken was opened in 2017 by Armenian-American childhood friends Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan. The chain now has around 300 locations across the United States, with a handful in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East. The company aims to open 150 new locations per year.
Samuel L. Jackson is also an investor in Dave's Hot Chicken. The famous actor has brought his star power to the brand, which has likely contributed to its success and expansion. Jackson's involvement demonstrates his interest in the restaurant business and his support for emerging food concepts.
Usher, another celebrity investor, joined the Dave's Hot Chicken team when the chain expanded to Georgia in 2024. The franchise in Georgia is owned by Lawrence Kourie, Andrew Feghali, and Usher. While Usher did not attend the grand opening, the event featured free food and music, creating a festive atmosphere.
These celebrity investors have not only contributed financially but have also helped elevate the brand's profile and attract customers. Their involvement showcases their interest in the food industry and their support for Dave's Hot Chicken's growth and success.
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Frequently asked questions
As of April 2025, there are around 300 Dave's Hot Chicken locations worldwide, with about 70 of those in California.
Dave's Hot Chicken has locations in four countries: the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
The first Dave's Hot Chicken was a small street food stand in a parking lot in Los Angeles' East Hollywood neighborhood.
The first international Dave's Hot Chicken location was in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which opened in January 2021.
