Claire Thompson
Drake, the Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor, is a significant investor in Dave's Hot Chicken, a fast-casual restaurant chain. Drake bought a minority stake in the company in 2021, and while his exact ownership percentage is unknown, he is reported to be one of the biggest investors in the company. Dave's Hot Chicken was founded in 2017 in Los Angeles by Armenian-American friends Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan, and has since expanded to multiple locations across the globe, fueled by a cult following and celebrity investors like Drake.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of locations as of mid-2022 | 100+ |
| Number of store locations as of 2025 | 315 |
| Countries where it is located | US, Canada, UK, Middle East |
| Number of Instagram followers | 142 million |
| Celebrity investors | Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, Maria Shriver, Michael Strahan and Tom Werner |
| Founder(s) | Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan and Gary Rubenyan |
| Year founded | 2017 |
| Location of the first store | Los Angeles, California |
| Number of choices on the menu | 4 |
| Spice levels | 7 |
| Deal value | $1 billion |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Drake's minority stake in Dave's Hot Chicken
Drake, the Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and actor, is indeed an investor in Dave's Hot Chicken. The restaurant chain, founded in 2017 in Los Angeles, California, has experienced rapid growth, expanding to over 100 locations in four countries by mid-2022. Drake bought a minority stake in the business in 2021, joining other celebrity investors such as Samuel L. Jackson, Maria Shriver, Michael Strahan and Tom Werner.
Dave's Hot Chicken was started by Armenian-American childhood friends Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan and Gary Rubenyan. They pooled together $900 to set up a small shop in a parking lot in East Hollywood, selling Nashville-style fried chicken. The chain's signature hot chicken recipe was developed by Kopushyan, a professional chef trained by renowned restaurateur Thomas Keller.
Drake's investment in Dave's Hot Chicken is believed to have significantly contributed to the company's success. With a vast social media reach, including 142 million Instagram followers, Drake's endorsement undoubtedly created a buzz around the brand. For the past three years, he has celebrated his birthday on October 24 by sponsoring a free chicken giveaway at Dave's Hot Chicken locations in Toronto.
While the exact ownership percentage and financial details of Drake's stake have not been disclosed, it is estimated that his minority stake is worth a substantial sum. Each percentage point of ownership in Dave's Hot Chicken is valued at US$10 million, so even a small stake could equate to a significant windfall for the rapper. In June 2025, Dave's Hot Chicken was acquired by the private equity firm Roark Capital in a deal valued at $1 billion, further fuelling the company's expansion plans.
Ensuring Safe Chicken: Target Internal Temperature
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Drake's contribution to Dave's Hot Chicken's success
Drake, the Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor, has contributed significantly to the success of Dave's Hot Chicken. Drake holds a significant ownership stake in the company, which was founded in 2017 in Los Angeles, California. With his investment, Drake helped the company grow from a single restaurant to over 300 locations worldwide, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East.
Drake's involvement with Dave's Hot Chicken began in 2021 when he bought a minority stake in the company. He was among the company's biggest investors, and his exact ownership percentage has never been disclosed. However, it is estimated that Drake's stake is worth tens of millions of US dollars.
The rapper has an incredible 142 million Instagram followers, and his hype and social media buzz have undoubtedly played a significant role in the brand's success. For the last three years, Drake has celebrated his birthday on October 24 by sponsoring a free chicken giveaway at Dave's Hot Chicken locations in Toronto.
In addition to Drake's influence, Dave's Hot Chicken has also benefited from a cult following and a dedicated fan base. The company has over 200 million organic views on TikTok and the highest Instagram followers per restaurant of any national fast-casual brand. The menu, featuring Nashville-style hot chicken tenders and sliders with seven spice levels, has clearly proven popular with customers, many of whom drive across state lines to get a taste of the food.
Announcing Your Chick's Arrival: Notify the Post Office?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Dave's Hot Chicken's expansion plans
Dave's Hot Chicken has experienced rapid expansion since its founding in 2017. The company started as a parking lot pop-up restaurant in Hollywood with a portable fryer and picnic tables. By 2021, it had expanded beyond its home state of California to Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, and Texas, as well as internationally to Toronto, Ontario. The company also opened its first drive-thru location that year, a concept that was accelerated by the pandemic.
In 2022, Dave's Hot Chicken continued its expansion across the United States, reaching Wisconsin, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Florida, Kentucky, New York, Oklahoma, Arizona, Idaho, and New Jersey. By mid-2022, the company had expanded to over 100 locations in four countries. As of 2023, the company had opened single-store locations in Nebraska, New Hampshire, Seattle, and Pennsylvania. In August 2024, the chain opened its first Georgia location in Conyers.
In June 2025, Dave's Hot Chicken was acquired by the private equity firm Roark Capital, which also owns brands such as Subway, Dunkin', Arby's, and Buffalo Wild Wings, for a deal valued at $1 billion. At the time of the acquisition, Dave's Hot Chicken had 310 locations and rights to more than 1,000 franchise locations across the US, the Middle East, and Canada, with plans to open more than 155 restaurants that year. The company currently has more than 700 locations in the development pipeline.
The rapid expansion of Dave's Hot Chicken can be attributed to its cult following, with customers driving across state lines to taste the food, and its viral social media presence, with 1.8 million followers on Instagram and 3.6 million on TikTok. The company's celebrity investors, including Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, Maria Shriver, Michael Strahan, and Tom Werner, have also contributed to its success and excitement around the brand.
Heat Lamps for Chicks: Fire Hazards and Safety Tips
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Dave's Hot Chicken's celebrity investors
Dave's Hot Chicken is an American fast-casual restaurant chain that was founded in 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The chain expanded quickly and by 2022 had over 100 locations in four countries. The brand now has locations in Dubai, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with plans to open in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The chain's celebrity investors include Drake, who bought a minority stake in 2021. Drake is a Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter from Toronto, Canada. He is also known for his investments in the food industry, including MatchaBar and Daring Foods Inc. Drake's significant following on social media, with 142 million Instagram followers, has likely contributed to the popularity of the brand.
Other celebrity investors include Samuel L. Jackson, Maria Shriver, Michael Strahan, and Tom Werner. The chain has gained a cult following, with customers driving across state lines to try the food. The menu is simple, offering chicken tenders and sliders at seven different spice levels, ranging from "No Spice" to "Reaper", which requires a signed waiver.
In 2025, Dave's Hot Chicken was acquired by Roark Capital Group, a private equity firm, in a deal valued at $1 billion. Roark Capital is known for its portfolio of major restaurant brands, including Subway and Dunkin' Donuts. The acquisition is expected to fuel the expansion of Dave's Hot Chicken, with plans to open 60 restaurants in the UK and 25 in Canada.
Chicken Legs: A Protein-Rich Superfood?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Dave's Hot Chicken's origin story
Dave's Hot Chicken is an American fast-casual restaurant chain that began in 2017 in East Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. The restaurant was founded by four Armenian-American childhood friends: Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan. The four friends pooled together $900 to set up a small shop in a parking lot in East Hollywood. The original location was a simple street food stand with a portable fryer, a few picnic tables, and a limited menu. Initially, the stand sold only one item: a hot chicken combo plate.
Dave Kopushyan, the chain's namesake, was a professional chef trained by renowned restaurateur Thomas Keller at the three-Michelin-star restaurant, The French Laundry. Drawing from this experience, Kopushyan crafted the chain's signature hot chicken recipe. The founders were inspired by the no-frills approach of In-N-Out Burger, as well as the growing demand for fried chicken in Los Angeles.
Dave's Hot Chicken quickly gained popularity, and in 2019, the team partnered with Wetzel's Pretzels co-founder and former CEO, Bill Phelps, and movie producer John Davis, to begin franchising the concept. The company has since expanded rapidly, with over 700 locations in the United States, the Middle East, and Canada. The chain has also opened locations in the United Kingdom, Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and other countries.
In 2021, celebrity investors joined the business, including Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter Aubrey Drake Graham, who holds a significant ownership stake. Other celebrity investors include Samuel L. Jackson, Maria Shriver, Michael Strahan, and Tom Werner. In June 2025, Dave's Hot Chicken was acquired by the private equity firm Roark Capital in a deal valued at $1 billion.
Chicken Bone Consumption: Risks and Dangers for Dogs
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Drake holds a minority stake in Dave's Hot Chicken.
Drake bought his stake in 2021.
The exact amount Drake paid for his stake is unknown, but it is estimated that each percentage point is worth US$10 million.
As of 2025, Dave's Hot Chicken has over 300 locations in the US, Canada, the UK, and the Middle East.
