Jake Harper
Dave's Hot Chicken is a fast-food chain specialising in Nashville-style hot chicken tenders and sliders, with spice levels ranging from No Spice to Reaper. The chain was founded in 2017 in a parking lot pop-up in West Hollywood by trained chef Dave Kopushyan and three friends. In July 2023, Dave's Hot Chicken opened its first Pennsylvania restaurant in York, located on Loucks Road.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 1189 Loucks Road, York, Pennsylvania |
| Opening Date | 28 July 2023 |
| Specialities | Jumbo hot chicken tenders and sliders, kale slaw, mac n' cheese, French fries, milkshakes, cheese fries, Nashville Hot chicken |
| Spice Levels | No spice, lite mild, mild, medium, hot, extra hot, reaper |
| Other Locations | Mechanicsburg, North Cornwall Township, Hampden Township |
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What You'll Learn
Dave's Hot Chicken's first Pennsylvania location
Dave's Hot Chicken is a fast-food chain specialising in jumbo hot chicken tenders and sliders, with seven spice levels ranging from "no spice" to "Reaper". The brand also serves sides such as kale slaw, mac and cheese, crispy fries, cheese fries, and milkshakes.
The chain's first location in Pennsylvania, and the second in the state, is in York, at 1189 Loucks Road. The restaurant is owned by Bob Carpenter, who also co-owns the business with his brother, Tom Carpenter. The York location was chosen for its busy route, with people coming and going all day. The original opening date was set for July 7, 2023, but it was delayed by state inspections to July 14. However, this opening date was also pushed back, with a soft opening occurring on July 27 and a grand opening on July 28.
The York location is housed in a former Pizza Hut building, which has been rebuilt to include a drive-through. The Carpenters chose to franchise Dave's Hot Chicken after Tom Carpenter tried the chicken at a California location during the pandemic. He flew to Las Vegas and drove to California, stopping at various Dave's Hot Chicken locations along the way.
Dave's Hot Chicken was founded in 2017 in a parking lot pop-up in West Hollywood by trained chef Dave Kopushyan and three friends. In 2019, the owners struck a deal with Wetzel’s Pretzels co-founder and former CEO, Bill Phelps, and movie producer John Davis, to franchise the concept. The York location is the first of two planned openings in Pennsylvania, with another location expected to open in Mechanicsburg in November.
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Chicken tenders and sliders with seven spice levels
Dave's Hot Chicken, a fast-food franchise specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken, offers a range of spice levels for its chicken tenders and sliders. The chicken, available in tender and slider form, can be seasoned to suit your taste buds, with seven levels of spiciness from "No Spice" to "Reaper."
For those who prefer their chicken without any heat, the "No Spice" option provides a crispy and juicy experience. If you're looking for just a hint of spice, the "Lite Mild" level adds a subtle kick to your meal. The "Mild" option takes it up a notch, enhancing the flavor with a gentle heat that's still manageable for those who think Tabasco is the hottest it gets.
If you're a spice lover, the "Medium" level is the sweet spot, offering noticeable heat without being overwhelming. For those who enjoy a bold and fiery kick, the aptly named "Hot" level delivers a serious punch of spice without being so overpowering that you can't savor the flavor of the chicken.
Venturing into the extreme, the "Extra Hot" level is not for beginners, packing an intense spice that will leave an impression. And finally, for the brave souls who dare, the "Reaper" level lives up to its name, providing a record-breaking heat that refers to the infamous Carolina Reaper pepper.
Dave's Hot Chicken in York, PA, offers these seven spice levels for their tenders and sliders, allowing customers to customize their meal to their preferred level of spiciness. Whether you're a spice enthusiast or prefer milder flavors, Dave's has got you covered with their range of options.
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The Loucks Road restaurant's opening dates
Dave's Hot Chicken, a fast-food chain specializing in jumbo hot chicken tenders and sliders, opened its first restaurant in Pennsylvania on Loucks Road in York in July 2023. The Loucks Road location was the first Dave's Hot Chicken restaurant in Pennsylvania and the second one to open in the state. The restaurant is housed in a former Pizza Hut, which was rebuilt to include a drive-through. The official grand opening was slated for July 7, 2023, but was delayed by state inspections to July 14, and then delayed again, with a soft opening on July 27 and a grand opening on July 28.
Dave's Hot Chicken offers Nashville-style hot chicken tenders and sliders with seven spice levels ranging from \"No Spice\" to \"Reaper.\" The fast-casual brand also serves sides such as kale slaw, mac and cheese, crispy fries, cheese fries, and milkshakes. The chain was founded in 2017 in a parking lot pop-up in West Hollywood by trained chef Dave Kopushyan and three friends. In 2019, Dave’s Hot Chicken struck a deal with Wetzel’s Pretzels co-founder and former CEO, Bill Phelps, and movie producer John Davis to franchise the concept.
The Loucks Road location in York is not the only Dave's Hot Chicken restaurant in central Pennsylvania. One opened last year at 1189 Loucks Road in York, followed earlier this year by a location at 6040 Carlisle Pike in Hampden Township. Another restaurant is expected to open in Mechanicsburg in November. The chain is rapidly expanding, bringing spicy chicken and delicious sides to new communities across the country.
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The franchisee and owner, Bob Carpenter
Bob Carpenter, the franchisee and owner of the new Dave's Hot Chicken in York, PA, is excited to bring the popular chicken joint to his community. With a planned opening date of July 7, 2023, Carpenter and his brother, Tom, are thrilled to introduce the first Dave's Hot Chicken location in Pennsylvania. The new restaurant, located on Loucks Road, will offer a range of spicy chicken tenders and sliders with seven spice levels, from "No Spice" to "Reaper."
Carpenter and his brother are no strangers to the restaurant industry, as they already franchise other chain restaurants in the area. However, when they heard about Dave's Hot Chicken, they knew they had to bring it to Pennsylvania. Tom even flew to California during the pandemic to meet with executives and try the chicken himself. The brothers were sold on the delicious food and the unique origin story of Dave's Hot Chicken, which began as a parking lot pop-up restaurant in Hollywood founded by trained chef Dave Kopushyan and three friends.
The new Dave's Hot Chicken location in York will be housed in a former Pizza Hut building, which has been renovated to include a drive-through. The choice of location on Loucks Road was strategic, as Carpenter notes that it is on a busy route with people coming and going all day. With this prime location and the popularity of the Dave's Hot Chicken brand, the brothers are confident in their venture. Carpenter invites the community to come and experience the delicious chicken and hopes that it will become a favourite destination for locals and visitors alike.
In addition to the mouth-watering chicken, the York location of Dave's Hot Chicken will also offer a variety of sides, including house-made kale slaw, mac n' cheese, and French fries. The tenders can be served alone or on a Martin's potato roll, providing customers with a range of options to suit their preferences. With the success of the brand across America, Carpenter is optimistic about the potential of the York location and is eager to welcome customers through the doors. The official grand opening is set for July 28, and the team is geared up to serve up some of the best hot chicken in town.
Bob Carpenter's journey to becoming a franchisee and owner of Dave's Hot Chicken in York, PA, showcases his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for bringing popular food concepts to his community. With a background in franchising other chain restaurants, Carpenter and his brother, Tom, recognised the potential of Dave's Hot Chicken and took the initiative to bring it to Pennsylvania. Their dedication to providing diverse dining options and their belief in the brand's quality and uniqueness are evident in their pursuit of establishing the first Dave's Hot Chicken location in the state. As Carpenter and his team prepare for the grand opening, they eagerly anticipate sharing their love for delicious, spicy chicken with the people of York and beyond.
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The restaurant's origin story
Dave's Hot Chicken is an American fast-casual restaurant chain that was founded in Los Angeles, California, in May 2017 by Armenian-American childhood friends Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan. The four friends were inspired by the no-frills approach of In N Out Burger and the growing demand for fried chicken in Los Angeles. With just $900, they set up a small shop in a parking lot in East Hollywood. 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. Kopushyan, a professional chef trained by renowned restaurateur Thomas Keller, developed the chain's signature hot chicken recipe.
The chain's menu is simple, with only four choices of hot chicken tenders, sliders, or both. Tenders are served on white bread, while 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", the hottest level, which requires a waiver to be signed.
The restaurant quickly gained popularity, and by mid-2022, the chain had expanded to over 100 locations in four countries. Celebrity investors include Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, Maria Shriver, Michael Strahan, and Tom Werner. In 2019, the founders formed an agreement with an investment group, including former Wetzel's Pretzels CEO and co-founder Bill Phelps, to franchise the restaurant and expand further. Phelps was named the chain's new CEO, and the expansion continued with new locations across the United States.
In 2024, Dave's Hot Chicken expanded internationally, signing a deal to open 60 restaurants in the UK, with the first British restaurant opening in London. The chain was acquired by the private equity firm Roark Capital in June 2025, in a deal valued at $1 billion.
Today, Dave's Hot Chicken continues to expand, bringing its unique brand of Nashville-style hot chicken to new communities, including York, Pennsylvania, where it recently opened its doors in July 2023.
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Frequently asked questions
Dave's Hot Chicken opened its first Pennsylvania location in York on Loucks Road on July 28, 2023.
Dave's Hot Chicken specializes in Nashville-style hot chicken tenders and sliders, with seven spice levels ranging from \"No Spice\" to \"Reaper.\" They also serve sides like kale slaw, mac and cheese, and French fries.
I'm sorry, but I couldn't find information on the specific opening times. However, feel free to ask about a particular day of the week, and I can search for that information.
Dave's Hot Chicken in York, PA, is located at 1189 Loucks Road.
