Dave's Hot Chicken: Which States Does It Rule?

Dave's Hot Chicken is an American fast-food chain specialising in Nashville-style hot chicken. Founded in Los Angeles, California, in 2017, the chain expanded to over 100 locations in four countries by 2022. The chain opened its first international location in Toronto, Canada, in 2021, and has since expanded to the United Arab Emirates. In the US, Dave's Hot Chicken has locations in Wisconsin, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Florida, Kentucky, New York, Oklahoma, Arizona, Idaho, New Jersey, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Vermont. The chain has also signed a deal to open 60 restaurants in the UK, with the first expected to launch in London in early 2025.

Dave's Hot Chicken's rapid expansion

Dave's Hot Chicken has experienced rapid expansion since its founding in 2017. What began as a small street food stand in Los Angeles, California, with a limited menu, quickly gained popularity and grew into a thriving restaurant chain. By late 2018, the founders had opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant, and in fall 2019, they formed an agreement with an investment group to franchise the restaurant, planning for over 300 locations in the United States and Canada.

The chain's expansion accelerated in 2022, when it expanded into multiple states, including Wisconsin, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Florida, Kentucky, New York, Oklahoma, Arizona, Idaho, and New Jersey. This brought their total number of locations to over 100 across four countries. The following year, in 2023, Dave's Hot Chicken continued its rapid growth by opening locations in Nebraska, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Seattle, and its first restaurant in Pennsylvania.

In 2024, the chain continued its rapid expansion by opening its first locations in Georgia, Vermont, and the United Kingdom. The UK expansion was particularly notable, with the chain signing a deal to open 60 restaurants across the country, demonstrating their confidence in the brand's appeal to a new market. The first London location, set to open in December 2024, generated buzz and excitement among fans.

The rapid expansion of Dave's Hot Chicken can be attributed to several factors, including the chain's unique and addictive menu offerings, celebrity endorsements and investors, and effective marketing strategies. The simplicity of their menu, featuring hot chicken tenders, sliders, or a combination of both, with seven spice levels to choose from, has likely contributed to its popularity. Additionally, celebrity investors like Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Strahan have brought significant attention to the brand.

International locations

Dave's Hot Chicken is an American fast-food chain that began in California in 2017. The chain has since expanded internationally, opening its first international location in Toronto, Canada, in January 2021. In September 2022, Dave's Hot Chicken opened its first Middle Eastern location in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The chain has plans for further international expansion, with a deal signed in July 2024 to open 60 restaurants in the UK. The first of these UK restaurants is due to open in London in early 2025.

The chain's international expansion began with its move into the Canadian market in 2021. This was followed by its entry into the Middle Eastern market in 2022 with the opening of a location in Dubai. The Dubai location marked the chain's first expansion outside of North America.

The upcoming expansion into the UK market is a significant move for the chain. A deal with the Zizzi operator Azzurri Group will see 60 restaurants open across the UK, with the first opening in London. This expansion demonstrates the chain's continued growth and popularity, as well as its ability to adapt to new markets and regions.

Dave's Hot Chicken has also expressed interest in further international expansion beyond Canada, the Middle East, and the UK. The chain's rapid growth and success suggest that it may continue to expand its international presence in the coming years, bringing its Nashville-style hot chicken to new markets and diners worldwide.

Celebrity investors

Dave's Hot Chicken is a fast-growing American fast-casual restaurant chain, specialising in Nashville-style hot chicken. The chain was founded in Los Angeles, California, in 2017, and by 2022, it had expanded to over 100 locations in four countries. As of 2024, Dave's Hot Chicken has 200 locations in the US, with the rights to more than 700 franchises in the US, Middle East, and Canada.

The restaurant chain has attracted several celebrity investors over the years, including Drake, who became a major investor in 2021. Drake, a certified investor, owns a significant stake in the company and is expected to help boost the brand's name and expansion. Other celebrity investors include Usher, an eight-time Grammy Award-winning artist, who joined in 2024, expressing his excitement about bringing Dave's delicious tenders and sliders to people across Atlanta.

Maria Shriver, a journalist and the former first lady of California, is also a celebrity investor in the chain. Samuel L. Jackson, a renowned actor, is another notable investor in Dave's Hot Chicken. His involvement, along with that of other celebrities, has likely contributed to the chain's dramatic expansion and growing popularity.

Additionally, Michael Strahan, a former American football player, and Tom Werner, the chairman of the Boston Red Sox, are also investors in Dave's Hot Chicken. The chain's rapid growth and celebrity endorsements have likely contributed to its success and expanding customer base, with plans to open an estimated 90 new locations in 2024.

The chain's signature hot chicken recipe

Dave's Hot Chicken is a popular fast-food chain that has expanded across multiple states. The chain has gained a reputation for its signature hot chicken recipe, which has become a favourite among customers. The secret to their success lies in the carefully crafted preparation and cooking process, resulting in a delicious and distinctive flavour.

The signature hot chicken recipe at Dave's involves a meticulous marination process. The chicken pieces are soaked in a unique blend of buttermilk, hot sauce, pickle juice, and optionally, berbere and MSG. Allowing the chicken to sit in this marinade for an extended period, preferably overnight, is the key to success. This step infuses the meat with flavour, ensuring that every bite is juicy and packed with taste.

After marination, the chicken undergoes a special coating process. Each piece is dipped in a flour mixture, then back into the buttermilk, and finally into the flour again. This double coating technique creates a crispy exterior while sealing in the moisture of the meat. The flour mix itself is a carefully crafted blend of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, onion powder, garlic powder, and optionally, rice flour and kosher salt.

The frying process is where the magic happens. The coated chicken pieces are carefully lowered into hot oil at a temperature of 325°F. They are fried until they achieve a deep golden brown colour, indicating a perfectly cooked exterior. The frying time may vary, but the goal is to reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Once cooked, the chicken is placed on a wire rack to drain any excess oil.

To add an extra kick of flavour, a special spicy oil is blended and mixed with the hot frying oil. This spicy oil is what gives Dave's Hot Chicken its signature tang. The chicken is then dusted with a spice blend, ensuring that every bite is packed with flavour. The end result is a chicken dish that is crispy, juicy, and bursting with flavour—a true testament to the chain's popularity.

Dave's Hot Chicken has become a go-to destination for fried chicken enthusiasts across multiple states. Their signature hot chicken recipe, with its carefully guarded blend of spices and unique preparation methods, has won over the hearts (and taste buds) of countless customers. The chain's expansion is a testament to the widespread appeal of their mouth-watering, addictive, and signature hot chicken.

The first store

Dave's Hot Chicken is a fast-casual restaurant chain specialising in Nashville-style hot chicken. The first store was opened in May 2017 by Armenian-American friends Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan. The original location was a small street food stand with a portable fryer and a few picnic tables, located in a parking lot in East Hollywood, Los Angeles. The stand's menu was limited to a single item: a hot chicken combo plate. Despite its humble beginnings, the stand quickly gained popularity, with lines stretching an entire block. The success of the East Hollywood stand led to the opening of a restaurant on Western Avenue in late 2018, featuring street art by local artists, which became a recognisable feature of the chain.

The founders of Dave's Hot Chicken were inspired by the no-frills approach of In-N-Out Burger and sought to capitalise on the growing demand for fried chicken in Los Angeles. Kopushyan, the chain's namesake and a professional chef trained by renowned restaurateur Thomas Keller, developed the signature hot chicken recipe. With just $900, the four friends started the first Dave's Hot Chicken location, which soon became a sensation. By 2022, the chain had expanded to over 100 locations in four countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

The chain's rapid expansion is attributed to its simple yet addictive menu, which now includes options such as tenders served on white bread, and sliders served on buns with pickles, kale slaw, and Dave's signature chipotle mayo sauce. Customers can choose from seven spice levels for their chicken, ranging from mild to mouth-numbingly hot. The popularity of Dave's Hot Chicken has attracted celebrity investors such as Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Strahan.

The first Dave's Hot Chicken store in East Hollywood set the tone and laid the foundation for the chain's success. It captured the attention of food lovers in Los Angeles and beyond, showcasing the potential of the concept and the appeal of Nashville-style hot chicken. The original location's limited menu and unassuming setting proved that, sometimes, simplicity is the key to success.

Frequently asked questions