Mia Patel
Dave's Hot Chicken is an American fast-casual restaurant chain that was founded in 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The chain has since expanded to over 100 locations in four countries, including the United States, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. In 2023, Dave's Hot Chicken opened its first location in Pennsylvania. This paragraph will explore the presence of Dave's Hot Chicken in Pennsylvania and provide an overview of the restaurant chain's expansion and offerings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dave's Hot Chicken in Pennsylvania | Yes |
| Year of opening the first restaurant in Pennsylvania | 2023 |
| Location | West Chestnut Street, Philadelphia |
| Other locations in the US | California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Florida, Kentucky, New York, Oklahoma, Arizona, Idaho, New Jersey, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Georgia, Vermont |
| Number of locations as of mid-2022 | Over 100 |
| Countries where Dave's Hot Chicken is present | 4 |
| Celebrity investors | Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, Maria Shriver, Michael Strahan, Tom Werner |
| Parent company | Roark Capital Group |
| Value of the acquisition deal | $1 billion |
| Menu | Hot chicken tenders, sliders, french fries, cheese fries, macaroni and cheese, kale slaw, sandwiches |
| Number of spice levels | 7 |
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What You'll Learn
Dave's Hot Chicken opened its first Pennsylvania location in 2023
In 2017, Dave's Hot Chicken began as a single restaurant in Los Angeles, California. The chain, which serves Nashville-style hot chicken, expanded rapidly, reaching over 100 locations in four countries by mid-2022. This growth continued into 2023, with the company opening its first Pennsylvania location that year.
Dave's Hot Chicken's first Pennsylvania restaurant was located on West Chestnut Street in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia. The chain's expansion into Pennsylvania was part of its continued growth, which saw it enter new states and countries. For example, in 2023, Dave's Hot Chicken also opened its first locations in Nebraska, New Hampshire, and Seattle. The company also expanded internationally, opening restaurants in Qatar in 2022 and Saudi Arabia in 2023.
The Pennsylvania location of Dave's Hot Chicken received mixed reviews from customers on Reddit. Some praised the food, with one person saying that the chicken at Dave's was "way better" than at other local hot chicken places. Others criticised the spice levels for being inconsistent, with some people experiencing no spice and others finding it too spicy. There were also comments about the side dishes, with the mac and cheese described as "runny".
The expansion of Dave's Hot Chicken in Pennsylvania didn't stop with the Center City location. There are plans for another restaurant in Harrisburg, although it appears this will not open until 2025. This new site will be part of a shopping centre, which is currently known as the Beltway Towne Centre.
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The chain was founded in 2017 in Los Angeles, California
Dave's Hot Chicken is an American fast-casual restaurant chain that was founded in 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The chain's founders were Armenian-American childhood friends Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan. They were inspired by the no-frills approach of In N Out Burger and the growing demand for fried chicken in Los Angeles. The original Dave's Hot Chicken was a small street food stand in a parking lot in East Hollywood, Los Angeles, selling a single item: a hot chicken combo plate. The stand's popularity grew after it was featured on the food blog Eater Los Angeles, with lines stretching down the block.
The chain expanded rapidly, opening its first restaurant in a nearby strip mall on Western Avenue in late 2018. By 2019, the founders had formed an agreement with an investment group, including former Wetzel's Pretzels CEO and co-founder Bill Phelps and movie producer John Davis, to franchise the restaurant. The chain continued to grow, and by mid-2022, it had expanded to over 100 locations in four countries. The menu at Dave's Hot Chicken is simple, offering only four choices: hot chicken tenders, sliders, or both. Tenders are served on white bread, while sliders come on buns with pickles, house-made "kale slaw," and a chipotle mayo sauce known as Dave's Sauce. 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 chain has attracted celebrity investors, including Drake, 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. As of 2025, the chain has brought in more than $600 million in system-wide sales in the U.S., with expectations of reaching $1.2 billion in sales that year. Dave's Hot Chicken has expanded across the U.S., with locations in states such as Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania. The chain has also gone international, with restaurants in Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
In 2024, Dave's Hot Chicken signed a deal to open 60 restaurants in the UK, with the first locations expected to launch in 2025. The chain has received mixed reviews, with some praising the seasoning, kale salad, and fried chicken, while others have criticised the spice levels for being inconsistent and the wings for being dry. Despite this, Dave's Hot Chicken has become a popular destination for those seeking Nashville-style hot chicken.
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It expanded to over 100 locations in four countries by mid-2022
Dave's Hot Chicken is an American fast-casual restaurant chain that began in 2017 in Los Angeles, California, with a single outlet. By mid-2022, it had expanded to over 100 locations in four countries. The chain opened upwards of 30 new locations in 2021, expanding into Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, and Texas.
In 2022, Dave's Hot Chicken continued its rapid expansion into Wisconsin, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Florida, Kentucky, New York, Oklahoma, Arizona, Idaho, and New Jersey. The chain's first international location opened in Toronto, Canada, in January 2021, marking the beginning of its global presence.
In 2022, Dave's Hot Chicken opened in Doha, Qatar, and the following year, in July 2023, the chain arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The expansion into new territories demonstrates the chain's growing popularity and success.
In 2023, Dave's Hot Chicken continued its domestic expansion by opening a location in Seattle and its first restaurant in Pennsylvania. The chain also ventured into new states in quick succession, including Nebraska, with a single store in Omaha, and New Hampshire, with a location in Portsmouth.
Dave's Hot Chicken's rapid growth can be attributed to its simple yet popular menu, offering Nashville-style hot chicken tenders, sliders, or a combination of both. Customers can choose from seven spice levels, ranging from mild to intensely spicy. The chain's celebrity investors, including Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, and Maria Shriver, have also contributed to its success and recognition.
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The restaurant serves Nashville-style hot chicken
Dave's Hot Chicken is an American fast-casual restaurant chain that serves Nashville-style hot chicken. The first Dave's Hot Chicken was opened in Los Angeles, California, in May 2017 by Armenian-American childhood friends Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan. Inspired by the no-frills approach of In N Out Burger and the growing demand for fried chicken in Los Angeles, the four friends started with a small street food stand with a limited menu. Kopushyan, a professional chef trained by restaurateur Thomas Keller, developed the chain's signature hot chicken recipe.
The restaurant's menu is simple, offering only four choices: hot chicken tenders, sliders, or both. Tenders are served on white bread, while sliders come on buns with pickles, house-made "kale slaw," and a chipotle mayo sauce known as Dave's Sauce. Sides include French fries, cheese fries, macaroni and cheese, and "kale slaw." 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 heat level.
Dave's Hot Chicken quickly gained popularity and expanded beyond California. By 2022, the chain had opened locations in various states, including Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, and Texas. The chain also expanded internationally, opening restaurants in Doha, Qatar, in 2022, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2023. In 2023, Dave's Hot Chicken opened its first restaurant in Pennsylvania, bringing its signature Nashville-style hot chicken to the state.
The restaurant has received mixed reviews, with some praising the spice levels and flavour of the chicken, while others have found it disappointing or inconsistent. Some customers have reported issues with spice levels varying widely across different visits, making it difficult to predict the heat of their meal. Despite this, Dave's Hot Chicken has become a popular destination for those seeking Nashville-style hot chicken outside of Nashville, with long lines forming at some locations.
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It is set to open in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Dave's Hot Chicken is an American fast-casual restaurant chain that was founded in Los Angeles, California, in 2017. The chain has since expanded rapidly, with over 100 locations in four countries by mid-2022. In 2023, Dave's Hot Chicken opened its first location in Pennsylvania.
The restaurant is set to open a new location in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. While there is excitement among residents for the new dining option, some details about the opening remain unclear. One local Reddit user commented that the new location will be part of a larger development that includes a shopping center with various tenants and food chains. The user also noted that it will be a while before the restaurant opens its doors.
Another Reddit user, who lives within walking distance of the upcoming Harrisburg location, provided additional insights. They mentioned that the scale of the development goes beyond just a new Dave's Hot Chicken restaurant. In fact, it will be part of a significant construction project that includes a car wash and other amenities in the area.
Dave's Hot Chicken offers a simple menu with Nashville-style hot chicken as its specialty. Customers can choose from tenders served on white bread or sliders served on buns with pickles, house-made "kale slaw," and Dave's Sauce, a chipotle mayo creation. Sides include French fries, cheese fries, macaroni and cheese, and additional "kale slaw." The restaurant caters to a range of spice preferences, offering seven different spice levels for their chicken, from "no spice" to the fiery "reaper" level, which requires a waiver to be signed.
The Harrisburg location of Dave's Hot Chicken will join the growing list of the chain's restaurants across the United States and internationally. Dave's Hot Chicken has expanded to various states, including New York, California, Florida, Kentucky, and Texas. The chain has also opened locations in Doha, Qatar, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, showcasing its widespread popularity.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is a Dave's Hot Chicken in Pennsylvania. The chain opened its first location in the state in 2023.
There is a Dave's Hot Chicken on West Chestnut Street in Center City, Philadelphia. Another location is planned for the Beltway Towne Center in Harrisburg, but it is not expected to open until 2025.
Dave's Hot Chicken serves Nashville-style hot chicken tenders, sliders, or a combination of both. The tenders are served on white bread, while the sliders are served on buns with pickles, house-made "kale slaw", and a chipotle mayo sauce known as Dave's Sauce. Sides include french fries, cheese fries, macaroni and cheese, and kale slaw. Customers can choose from seven different spice levels for their chicken, ranging from "no spice" to "reaper" (which requires a waiver to be signed).
