Dave's Hot Chicken

Back on the podium 🔥 Dave’s Hot Chicken has officially been named the #2 brand on the 2026 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers list! What started as a parking lot pop-up has grown into one of the most talked-about brands in the industry, and this recognition belongs to the fans, franchisees, restaurant teams, and support teams continuing to build the brand every day. Congratulations to all of the incredible brands and executives recognized this year. The future of fast casual is looking HOT! Check out the full Movers & Shakers list and report here: https://lnkd.in/gb3AxKQu

Extra, Extra! Dave’s Hot Chicken is up and running in Wilkes-Barre Township and Clifton Heights, and we couldn’t be happier to bring Nashville-style heat to The Keystone State. We have plenty more locations across the country (and the globe) coming soon, so make sure you’re following Dave’s Hot Chicken for the latest and hottest. https://lnkd.in/gujeyuUK

In 2017, a modern-day American dream story began. Three childhood friends, Chef Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, and Tommy Rubenyan, scraped together $900 to launch Dave’s Hot Chicken in a parking lot, portable fryers and folding tables in tow. Dave’s quickly took off, thanks to a profile in Eater LA, opening an East Hollywood brick-and-mortar restaurant shortly after. Since then, Dave’s Hot Chicken has sold the rights to more than 1,216 franchise locations in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Canada. Want to know how we did it? Hear more about how our founders built the Dave’s brand from day one! https://lnkd.in/gPvH3cYS

Dave’s Hot Chicken keeps the menu simple so we can focus on what matters most: bold flavor that resonates with every generation. Whether you’re going all in on Reaper-level heat, reaching for cheese fries, or cooling off with a Top Loaded Shake, our menu is built to deliver something for everyone.

Growth gets the headlines, but execution builds the brand. In our latest development newsletter, Dave’s VP of Development, Joshua Liggins, CFE, shares what it really takes to scale a high-demand brand, with a focus on disciplined growth, strong unit economics, and keeping franchisee performance at the center. Get his perspective below!

The first quarter of 2026 has already brought Dave’s national recognition for our collaborations with Fallout, the return of Dave’s NOT Chicken (back by popular demand), and the introduction of Dave’s Hot Mozz. We’re constantly listening to what guests love most about our menu — bringing back our most popular limited-time offerings while staying true to the bold flavor that made Dave’s famous in the first place.

The hottest franchise in the country has the hottest marketing behind it! Our CMO, Brandon Rhoten, appeared on the QSR Uncut podcast to talk about Dave’s Hot Chicken’s fanatic fanbase and what’s going to take the brand to the next level. Check out the full episode on QSR: https://lnkd.in/gRQVYkR4

“Fantastic.” “I’m obsessed.” “So good.” “Unexpected, but I’m loving it.” Have you gotten a taste of Dave’s Hot Mozz yet? We could describe it, but we’ll let our fans do the talking! User-generated content is one of the best ways to spread the word about new menu items — and the ultimate validation when guests love what they try! Thank you to @koffordphoebe, @jaskam_, and @snachwithzach for coming out to try our latest LTO and giving your honest reviews (especially since you loved it!)

We’re always looking for the latest ways to bring Dave’s to your door! During Coco’s unveiling of Robotics V2, our CTO, Leon Davoyan, EMBA, spoke about how both brands integrate cutting-edge technology, including the Dave’s-branded Coco robots! Plus, the guests got to enjoy the Dave’s Hot Chicken menu outside in California, just like how the brand began. Check out a few photos from the event below!

Viral marketing is an art and a science, and at Dave’s Hot Chicken, we’ve found the perfect mix of the two. Our CMO, Brandon Rhoten, appeared on Jason Harris’s The Soul & Science Podcast to discuss how he’s perfected brand voice, the balance of large campaigns and everyday engagement, and how he’s hoping to drive long-term brand growth with Dave’s. Listen to the full episode on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/g7Tddvtk