Dave’s Hot Chicken Cooks Up Growth and Expansion in 2023

Dave’s Hot Chicken, a Pasadena-based fast-casual restaurant chain known for its Nashville-style hot chicken, reported a year of growth and expansion in 2023.

According to a company statement, Dave’s Hot Chicken opened 79 new stores in 2023, bringing the total number of locations to over 180. In November, the company opened seven new locations across the country in a single week.

The company also made its first forays into international markets, with new stores in Canada and the Middle East. By the end of 2023, the company had secured commitments for over 860 franchise locations.

CEO Bill Phelps stated that the company’s growth in 2023 affirmed its position as a rapidly expanding restaurant chain. The company reported a 4.7% increase in same-store sales and a 5.4% increase in customer traffic in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Looking ahead to 2024, Dave’s Hot Chicken plans to continue its expansion, with a focus on recruitment, menu development, and partnerships. The company has also strengthened its executive team with the appointments of Brad Haley as Chief Marketing Officer and Leon Davoyan as Chief Technology Officer.

The company’s growth has been recognized within the industry, with Dave’s Hot Chicken earning a place on the Lunchbox Top 30 Hottest Restaurant Brands 2023 List and the top spot on the Fast Casual Movers & Shakers list.

Dave’s Hot Chicken was founded in 2017 by Chef Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, and Tommy Rubenyan. The company, which started as a pop-up in a parking lot, now operates over 180 stores and has more than 800 franchise locations worldwide. Its investors include Drake, Maria Shriver, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Strahan.

For more information about Dave’s Hot Chicken and franchise opportunities, visit the company’s website here.