Dave's Hot Chicken: Rapid Expansion And Growing Reach

Dave's Hot Chicken is a fast-food chain that was founded in 2017 by four friends in East Hollywood, Los Angeles. The chain has since expanded rapidly, with a total of 250 stores as of 2024. The chain's first international location opened in Toronto, Canada, in January 2021, and it has since expanded to the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and several US states. With a simple menu of Nashville-style hot chicken tenders and sliders, served with a range of spice levels, Dave's Hot Chicken has become a popular destination for fans of spicy fried chicken. The chain aims to open 150 new locations each year and continues to grow, attracting celebrity investors such as Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Strahan.

Dave's Hot Chicken has over 250 locations

Dave's Hot Chicken has experienced rapid expansion since its founding in 2017, growing from a single restaurant in Los Angeles to over 250 locations worldwide as of 2024. The chain's rapid growth is attributed to its popularity, effective social media marketing, and celebrity endorsements and investors, including Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, Maria Shriver, Michael Strahan, and Usher.

The chain's menu is simple, offering Nashville-style hot chicken tenders and sliders with seven spice levels ranging from "no spice" to "reaper", which requires a waiver to be signed due to its extreme spiciness. The concept's simplicity and the unique, flavorful chicken have fueled the chain's expansion.

Dave's Hot Chicken initially expanded across the United States, reaching over 100 locations in four countries by mid-2022. The chain opened upwards of 30 new locations in 2021, entering states like Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, and Texas. In 2022, they continued their expansion, adding locations in Wisconsin, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and several other states.

The company also began its international expansion in 2021, opening its first location outside the United States in Toronto, Canada. They further expanded internationally by entering the Middle Eastern market, with locations in Dubai and Doha in 2022, and Riyadh in 2023. Dave's Hot Chicken also has a strong presence in California, with about 70 of its locations in the state as of 2025.

The chain aims to open 150 new locations each year and has explored smaller formats in places like food courts. With its dynamic growth, Dave's Hot Chicken continues to bring its unique brand of Nashville-style hot chicken to new markets, solidifying its position as a rapidly expanding and popular restaurant chain.

The chain expanded to four countries by mid-2022

Dave's Hot Chicken has experienced rapid expansion since its founding in 2017. The chain, which started as a single restaurant in Los Angeles, California, aimed to open 150 new locations per year, with plans to have 100 more locations by the end of 2025. This ambitious growth strategy has allowed Dave's Hot Chicken to expand its presence across the United States and into new international markets.

By mid-2022, the chain had already expanded to over 100 locations in four countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. The expansion into Canada marked the chain's first international location, with the opening of a restaurant in Toronto, Ontario, in January 2021. This was followed by the opening of locations in Dubai in September 2022 and Doha in November 2022, solidifying the chain's presence in the Middle East.

In the United States, Dave's Hot Chicken continued its rapid expansion across multiple states. In 2021, the chain opened upwards of 30 new locations, entering markets such as Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, and Texas. The following year, in 2022, the chain further expanded its reach by entering Wisconsin, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Florida, Kentucky, New York, Oklahoma, Arizona, Idaho, and New Jersey.

With a growing number of locations and a strong brand, Dave's Hot Chicken attracted celebrity investors, including Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, Maria Shriver, Michael Strahan, and Tom Werner. The chain's popularity and success led to its acquisition by the private equity firm Roark Capital in June 2025, in a deal valued at $1 billion.

Locations include the US, Canada, the UK, and the Middle East

Dave's Hot Chicken is a fast-food chain that has experienced rapid expansion since its founding in 2017. The chain, which is headquartered in Pasadena, California, initially started with a single restaurant in Los Angeles. As of 2025, Dave's Hot Chicken has grown to encompass over 270 locations across the United States, with a significant presence in California, where about 70 of its restaurants are located. The chain has expanded beyond its domestic market and established a presence in multiple countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East.

In 2021, Dave's Hot Chicken opened its first international location in Toronto, Ontario, marking its entry into the Canadian market. Subsequently, the chain continued its expansion within Canada, with plans to open additional restaurants across the country.

In December 2024, Dave's Hot Chicken opened its first location in the United Kingdom, specifically in London. This move reflected the growing appeal of the U.K. and Ireland as target markets for U.S. chicken brands looking to expand internationally. The London store, with its unique street art displays, has become a flagship location for the chain.

Dave's Hot Chicken has also established a presence in the Middle East, with locations in Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh. The chain's expansion into these diverse markets demonstrates its ability to adapt to different cultural and culinary contexts while maintaining its signature offerings.

The chain has set ambitious growth targets, aiming to open 150 new locations each year. With its popularity and ongoing expansion, Dave's Hot Chicken continues to solidify its presence in the highly competitive restaurant industry.

The chain aims to open 150 new locations per year

Dave's Hot Chicken is a fast-food chain that was founded in 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The chain has experienced rapid expansion since its inception, with a focus on growing its presence across the United States and entering new markets internationally. In 2022, Dave's Hot Chicken had already expanded to over 100 locations in four countries. By 2024, the chain reached a remarkable milestone of 250 stores, including its first location in the United Kingdom. The company has ambitious plans for further expansion, aiming to open 150 new locations per year.

The chain's rapid growth can be attributed to several factors, including its popular menu offerings and effective marketing strategies. Dave's Hot Chicken offers a simple menu featuring Nashville-style hot chicken tenders and sliders with a range of spice levels to choose from. The chain's signature hot chicken recipe, developed by trained chef and co-founder Dave Kopushyan, has gained a dedicated following. Social media marketing and positive reviews from influential food blogs, such as Eater Los Angeles, have also played a significant role in generating buzz and attracting long lines of customers.

The success of Dave's Hot Chicken has caught the attention of celebrity investors, including Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, Maria Shriver, Michael Strahan, and Usher. With a strong brand and a popular product, the chain continues to set its sights on expansion. In 2025, Dave's Hot Chicken announced plans to open new locations in various states, including Las Vegas, Nevada, and Oregon. The chain is also experimenting with smaller formats in places like food courts and airports, demonstrating its adaptability to different settings.

To support its ambitious growth strategy, Dave's Hot Chicken has partnered with experienced industry professionals. Bill Phelps, the former CEO of Wetzel's Pretzels, joined the company as CEO and helped attract investors. Dannon Shiff, the senior vice president of real estate, brings valuable experience from his previous roles at other restaurant brands. With a talented team and a proven concept, Dave's Hot Chicken is well-positioned to execute its plan of opening 150 new locations each year. The chain's expansion will bring its unique brand of Nashville-style hot chicken to more customers across the United States and internationally.

The first store opened in Los Angeles in 2017

Dave's Hot Chicken was founded in 2017 by four friends in East Hollywood, Los Angeles. The four friends, Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan, were inspired by the no-frills approach of In-N-Out Burger and the growing demand for fried chicken in Los Angeles. With a passion for good food and a small budget, they managed to scrape together $900 to rent a small shop in a parking lot. The original location was a simple setup, consisting of a portable fryer, a few picnic tables, and a limited menu. Kopushyan, a professional chef trained by renowned restaurateur Thomas Keller, developed the chain's signature hot chicken recipe.

The stand initially sold only one item: a hot chicken combo plate. Soon after opening, the stand gained popularity, with lines stretching an entire block. This success caught the attention of the food blog Eater Los Angeles, which featured the stand in a story. The positive review fuelled even more interest, and by late 2018, the stand had evolved into a restaurant in a nearby strip mall on Western Avenue. The restaurant's walls were decorated with street art by local artists, a style that has become synonymous with the chain.

In fall 2019, the founders formed an agreement with an investment group, including former Wetzel's Pretzels CEO and co-founder Bill Phelps, who came on board as the new CEO, and movie producer John Davis, to franchise the restaurant. With this new investment, the chain expanded rapidly, opening its second and third locations in Los Angeles' North Hollywood and Koreatown neighbourhoods in winter 2019. By 2022, the chain had expanded to over 100 locations in four countries, and by 2025, it had grown to over 250 locations worldwide, with plans to open 150 new stores in a year.

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