FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Dave’s Hot Chicken is the Fastest Growing Restaurant in America
Fiery Franchise Growth and Strong Sales Performance Cements the Leading Nashville Hot Chicken Concept’s Position at the Top
LOS ANGELES — Dave’s Hot Chicken is riding its red-hot momentum generated from its exceptional franchise growth to the fastest growing restaurant chain in the United States.
With a 471% increase in total number of open units in 2021 compared to 2020, no other restaurant brand has come close to the type of growth that Dave’s Hot Chicken has experienced. Sales were also impressive, with a 262% increase from 2020 to 2021. Total sales for Dave’s Hot Chicken were $79.5 million.*
“There’s no question about it: Dave’s Hot Chicken is growing at a clip not seen anywhere else in the restaurant industry and the numbers back it up,” said Bill Phelps, CEO of Dave’s Hot Chicken. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish in a few short years, but there’s much more in store. This is only the beginning for our unique, exciting and craveable brand.”
Dave’s Hot Chicken is continuing to build on this momentum to reach even greater heights in 2022. So far, 17 new locations have opened this year, which include entrances for the brand into new states such as Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Massachusetts and Indiana. These new openings bring the total number of open Dave’s Hot Chicken locations to 57.
Led by the VP of Franchise Development, Shannon Swenson, Dave’s Hot Chicken has continued to build its roster of seasoned multi-unit operators with newly signed deals. In the first quarter of 2022, 13 new franchise groups have signed agreements for 127 franchise commitments, bringing the total to more than 70 franchise groups and more than 700 committed units. These new deals will introduce the brand to new markets throughout New York, Florida, Minnesota, Utah and Texas, along with a milestone deal to bring Dave’s Hot Chicken to the Middle East.
“The growth of Dave’s Hot Chicken is showing no signs of slowing down. Despite already signing a number of deals for hundreds of units across the country, interest in franchising with us is at an all-time high,” said Swenson. “The remainder of 2022 shows a lot of promise for us to do even better than what we accomplished last year. I look forward to what the future holds for Dave’s Hot Chicken.”
Founded by Arman Oganesyan and classically-trained chef Dave Kopushyan and two friends in early 2017, Dave’s Hot Chicken initially opened as a parking lot pop-up, with lines quickly wrapping around the block. Since then, the brand has exploded in popularity and now has over locations in the United States and Canada.
Specializing in hot chicken tenders and sliders, with spice levels ranging from “No Spice” to “Reaper,” each restaurant also serves sides of house-made Kale Slaw, creamy Mac & Cheese and crispy Fries or Cheese Fries.
Dave’s Hot Chicken offers a robust business model, including national and local marketing support, proven systems, manuals and operating procedures, as well as assistance with site selection. As the brand expands, it is seeking qualified, experienced, and passionate restaurant operators and franchise groups to develop the concept in key markets.
To learn more about Dave’s Hot Chicken and its franchise opportunities, visit www.daveshotchicken.com/franchising.
*Based on a study conducted by Technomic, a third-party research company.
About Dave’s Hot Chicken
In a modern-day American dream story, Arman Oganesyan and best friend Chef Dave Kopushyan, along with brothers Tommy and Gary Rubenyan, launched Dave’s Hot Chicken in a parking lot pop-up in 2017. Dave’s Hot Chicken quickly took off, opening its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in East Hollywood. In 2019, the team struck a deal with Wetzel’s Pretzels co-founder and former CEO, Bill Phelps, and movie producer John Davis to begin franchising the Dave’s Hot Chicken concept throughout the U.S. and beyond. The company has sold the rights to over 599 franchise locations in the U.S. and Canada and will open an additional 75 locations this year. In 2021, Dave’s Hot Chicken was listed as one of the Top 10 hottest brands by Fast Casual on its annual list of industry Movers & Shakers. Harkening back to an Eater LA blog that helped propel early interest in the brand, the company’s mission is to “blow their minds.” Additional brand investors include multiplatinum music artist Drake, former California First Lady Maria Shriver, Red Sox owner Tom Werner, actor Samuel L. Jackson, and Good Morning America anchor and retired NFL player Michael Strahan.