Jake Harper
Dave's Hot Chicken is a fast-casual restaurant chain that began in 2017 as a pop-up in a Los Angeles parking lot with a simple menu of Nashville-style hot chicken. The menu has since expanded to include tenders, sliders, and sandwiches, with a variety of spice levels and sides. With a cult following, the brand has experienced rapid growth, now boasting hundreds of locations across the US, Canada, the Middle East, and plans for the UK.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of menu options | 4 |
| Type of menu options | Hot chicken tenders, sliders or both |
| Tenders are served on | White bread |
| Sliders are served on | Buns with pickles, house-made "kale slaw" and a chipotle mayo sauce known as Dave's Sauce |
| Spice levels | 7, ranging from "no spice" to "reaper" |
| Sides | French fries, cheese fries, macaroni and cheese and "kale slaw" |
| First location | A small street food stand with a portable fryer and a few picnic tables in a parking lot in the East Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles |
| Current number of locations | More than 700 |
| Countries with locations | USA, Canada, UAE, Saudi Arabia |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken tenders
The menu at Dave's Hot Chicken is simple and focused, with chicken tenders as one of the main offerings. The tenders are made from chicken breast meat, cut into strips, and breaded or battered before being fried to a golden brown. They are served on white bread, with a choice of seven different spice levels ranging from "no spice" to "reaper," which is the spiciest option.
The chicken tenders at Dave's Hot Chicken have gained a cult following and are known for their jumbo size and Nashville-style seasoning. Customers can choose from various spice levels to suit their taste preferences, with the "reaper" spice level being so hot that customers are required to sign a waiver before ordering.
In addition to the tenders, Dave's Hot Chicken also offers sliders, which are smaller sandwiches served on buns with pickles, house-made "kale slaw," and a chipotle mayo sauce known as Dave's Sauce. Sides such as french fries, cheese fries, macaroni and cheese, and kale slaw are also available to complete the meal.
The success of Dave's Hot Chicken can be attributed to its founders' vision, marketing, and commitment to delivering a high-quality product. The chain has a simple and focused menu, with chicken tenders as a signature offering, and has cultivated a loyal following among customers who appreciate its delicious and customizable spice levels.
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Sliders
Dave's Hot Chicken offers a simple menu that includes sliders, tenders, 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. Customers can choose from seven different spice levels for their chicken, ranging from "no spice" to "reaper", with the hottest option requiring a waiver to be signed.
The slider buns at Dave's Hot Chicken are served with a unique combination of toppings and sauces. The buns are first topped with pickles, adding a crunchy texture and a tangy flavor. Then, they are piled high with the customer's choice of chicken, ranging from mild to mouth-numbingly spicy. The chicken is prepared in a Nashville-style, known for its bold and fiery flavors.
The star of the show, however, is the house-made "kale slaw". This slaw is a healthy and flavorful twist on traditional coleslaw, made with kale and other nutritious vegetables. It adds a crunchy texture and a slightly acidic, tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the spicy chicken. The slaw is also available as a side dish, served with a combination of chicken and extra vegetables.
Bringing all the flavors together is the chipotle mayo sauce, affectionately named Dave's Sauce. This sauce is a creamy, slightly spicy, and smoky condiment that ties the entire slider together. The combination of the spicy chicken, tangy pickles, and creamy sauce creates a flavor profile that has garnered a cult following, with people driving across state lines to get a taste.
The simplicity of the menu at Dave's Hot Chicken, with its focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients and bold flavors, has been a key factor in the restaurant's rapid growth and success. Starting as a small street food stand in a parking lot in East Hollywood, Los Angeles, the chain has expanded to over 100 locations in four countries by mid-2022, attracting celebrity investors like Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, and Tom Werner.
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Spice levels
Dave's Hot Chicken offers customers a choice of seven different spice levels for their chicken, ranging from mild to extremely spicy. The spice levels are designed to cater to a variety of taste preferences and tolerance for spice. Here is a breakdown of each spice level:
- No Spice: This option is perfect for those who want to enjoy the flavour of the chicken without any added heat. It is ideal for customers who are sensitive to spice or simply prefer a milder taste.
- Mild: The mild option adds a subtle kick of spice to the chicken. It is a gentle introduction to spice and is suitable for those who want a hint of heat without overwhelming their taste buds.
- Medium: At this level, customers can expect a noticeable but manageable amount of spice. It offers a balance between flavour and heat, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a moderate spice level.
- Hot: As the name suggests, this spice level turns up the heat significantly. It is intended for customers who have a higher tolerance for spice and enjoy a strong, pungent flavour.
- Extra Hot: This level is not for the faint of heart! It takes the spice up a notch, providing an intense and fiery experience for those who crave extreme heat with their meal.
- Reaper Lite: Reaper Lite is a toned-down version of the infamous Carolina Reaper pepper. It offers a powerful punch of spice that will leave a lasting impression. Customers who choose this level are often adventurous eaters who relish the challenge of extremely spicy food.
- Reaper: This is the hottest spice level offered by Dave's Hot Chicken, and it is not for the faint of heart. Customers who select this option are required to sign a waiver due to the extreme heat. The Reaper spice level is a test of endurance and is only recommended for experienced spice enthusiasts.
Each spice level at Dave's Hot Chicken provides a distinct sensory experience, allowing customers to customise their meal according to their preference. Whether you enjoy your food mild and flavourful or mouth-numbingly spicy, Dave's Hot Chicken has an option to satisfy your taste buds.
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Sides
Dave's Hot Chicken offers a variety of sides to accompany their Nashville-style hot chicken. The sides available include French fries, cheese fries, macaroni and cheese, and their signature "kale slaw."
The "kale slaw" is a house-made side dish that is served with the sliders and tenders. It is a type of kale salad that is made with healthy vegetables. The specific ingredients in the "kale slaw" are not publicly known, but it is likely to contain a mix of shredded kale, cabbage, and other vegetables, as well as a dressing.
French fries are a classic side dish that pairs well with the hot chicken. At Dave's Hot Chicken, the French fries are thick-cut and crispy, providing a satisfying crunch and a hearty side option.
Cheese fries are a decadent variation of the classic French fry. They are topped with melted cheese, adding a creamy and savoury element to the side dish. The specific type of cheese used may vary, but it is typically a shredded or processed cheese that melts easily and provides a strong flavour.
Macaroni and cheese is a comfort food favourite and a filling side option. It consists of macaroni pasta baked in a creamy cheese sauce. The specific recipe used by Dave's Hot Chicken may include a combination of different cheeses, spices, and other ingredients to create a unique flavour profile.
These sides provide a range of options for customers to customise their meal and enhance the flavour and texture of the Nashville-style hot chicken. The combination of crispy fries, creamy cheese dishes, and fresh "kale slaw" offers a balance of textures and flavours that complement the spicy and juicy chicken.
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Founders
Dave's Hot Chicken was founded in May 2017 by Armenian-American childhood friends Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan. The four friends pooled $900 to set up a small shop in a parking lot in the East Hollywood neighbourhood of Los Angeles. The original location was a street food stand with a portable fryer, a few picnic tables, and a limited menu. The stand initially sold only one item: a hot chicken combo plate.
Dave Kopushyan, the chain's namesake, was a professional chef trained by restaurateur Thomas Keller at the three-Michelin-star restaurant The French Laundry. Drawing from this experience, Kopushyan developed the chain's signature hot chicken recipe. The founders were inspired by the no-frills approach of In-N-Out Burger and the growing demand for fried chicken in Los Angeles.
In late 2018, the stand was closed, and the first brick-and-mortar Dave's Hot Chicken restaurant was opened in a nearby strip mall on Western Avenue in Los Angeles. The restaurant's walls were decorated with street art by local artists, a style that has become a recognisable feature of the chain. 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. This deal paved the way for the expansion of Dave's Hot Chicken, with plans for more than 300 locations in the United States and Canada.
In 2020, the chain expanded internationally, with the first location outside of the US opening in Toronto, Canada. As of 2022, Dave's Hot Chicken has expanded to over 100 locations in four countries, including Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh. The chain has also signed deals to open additional restaurants in the United Kingdom. Celebrity investors in Dave's Hot Chicken include Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, Maria Shriver, Michael Strahan, and Tom Werner. In 2025, the company was acquired by the private equity firm Roark Capital Group in a deal valued at $1 billion.
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Frequently asked questions
Dave's Hot Chicken serves Nashville-style hot chicken tenders and sliders. The tenders are served on white bread, and the sliders are served on buns with pickles, house-made kale slaw, and a chipotle mayo sauce known as Dave's Sauce.
Dave's Sauce is a chipotle mayo sauce, so it likely contains chipotle peppers, mayonnaise, and other spices.
The sides available at Dave's Hot Chicken include french fries, cheese fries, macaroni and cheese, and kale slaw.
