Fast-Casual Leader Showcases Disciplined Expansion at Scale

PASADENA, Calif. — Dave’s Hot Chicken continues its rapid growth in 2026 with the opening of eight new restaurants on April 16, expanding its footprint to more than 400 locations worldwide. The milestone highlights the brand’s disciplined approach to expansion and its ability to execute at scale while maintaining a consistent guest experience.

The fast-casual concept, which originated in Los Angeles, is bringing its Nashville-style hot chicken to a diverse set of markets nationwide, including Fairlawn, Ohio; Oneonta, New York; Edina, Minnesota; Gastonia, North Carolina; Arlington Heights, Illinois; Miami, Florida; Saratoga, Utah; and Waterford, Connecticut.

“Opening eight restaurants in one week is a testament to the strength of our system and the commitment of our franchise partners,” said Jim Bitticks, CEO of Dave’s Hot Chicken. “As we continue to grow, our focus remains on executing at a high level and making sure every restaurant delivers the same mind-blowing experience our guests expect. Maintaining a balance between momentum and consistency allows us to scale the right way.”

Dave’s Hot Chicken continues to expand its footprint at a rapid pace while maintaining a disciplined approach to execution. The brand’s ability to open multiple restaurants across diverse markets in a single week reflects the strength of its operating model, experienced franchise partners, and a system built to scale without compromising the guest experience.

“To successfully open this many restaurants in such a short timeframe, every part of the system has to be aligned,” said Juan Lopez, Chief Restaurant Officer. “That includes training, operations, franchisee readiness, and keeping the right processes and teams in place to deliver a consistent experience from day one in every market.”

Dave’s Hot Chicken earned significant industry recognition in 2025, reflecting both the brand’s pace of growth and its commitment to innovation at scale. The brand was named Fast Casual’s #1 Mover & Shaker, making Dave’s only the second concept ever to earn the top honor twice. Dave’s was also recognized with Franchise Update Media’s Overall Award for Franchise Operations & Technology Leadership and received the Restaurant Leadership Conference Pacesetter Award for forward-thinking leadership and execution. That momentum extended beyond the restaurant industry, with Yelp naming Dave’s its 2025 Most Loved Brand. The brand’s digital engagement also reached new heights by climbing to the #1 spot on the App Store.

Founded by Arman Oganesyan and classically trained chef Dave Kopushyan, along with brothers Tommy and Gary Rubenyan in early 2017, Dave’s Hot Chicken initially opened as a parking lot pop-up, with lines quickly wrapping around the block. Dave’s Hot Chicken offers a robust business model, including national and local marketing support, proven systems, manuals, operating procedures, and 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 such as Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico.

To learn more about Dave’s Hot Chicken and its franchise opportunities, visit www.daveshotchicken.com/franchising.

About Dave’s Hot Chicken

In a modern-day American dream story, 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, in 2017. Dave’s Hot Chicken quickly took off, opening an East Hollywood brick-and-mortar restaurant shortly after, with support from Tommy’s brother, Gary. 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 more than 1,020 franchise locations in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Canada, and will open 70-plus locations this year. 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 Billboard Artists Drake and Usher, former California First Lady Maria Shriver, actor Samuel L. Jackson, and Good Morning America anchor and retired NFL player Michael Strahan.

Search