---
title: "Dave’s Hot Chicken Keeps the Heat on High After Strong First Half of 2021"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/6e6a1c4a-9955-4ce9-a02a-a6d7dbe7820b
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20210727_daves_hot_chicken_keeps_the_heat_on_high_after_strong_first_half_of_2021.html
category: "Chicken"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Chicken"
published: 2021-07-27T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T02:27:24.048Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1561758033-d89a9ad46330?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Dave’s Hot Chicken Keeps the Heat on High After Strong First Half of 2021

**TL;DR:** Dave's Hot Chicken has expanded its reach across the country with new deals signed in several key markets, adding 13 new operators for 154 units. The brand has also opened seven new locations throughout the country in 2021, with lines wrapping around the block and fans waiting for hours at each opening.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2021-07-27. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20210727_daves_hot_chicken_keeps_the_heat_on_high_after_strong_first_half_of_2021.html).*

## Story

Continuing under the leadership of VP of Franchise Development, Shannon Swenson, Dave’s Hot Chicken has expanded its reach across the country with new deals signed in several key markets. In 2021 thus far, 13 new operators have signed on for 154 unit. This has expanded the brand’s presence into Boston, Massachusetts; Austin, Waco, New Braunfels and San Marcos, Texas; Orlando, Florida; East Pennsylvania and multiple communities throughout New Jersey.

“We’ve fine-tuned our recipe for growth at Dave’s Hot Chicken and our strong performance so far in 2021 is proof,” said Swenson. “I think we have positioned ourselves nicely to continue building on this momentum for the rest of the year. We really do have something special here at Dave’s Hot Chicken.”

In addition to these newly signed deals, Dave’s Hot Chicken has continued making a splash with recent openings. Seven new locations have opened throughout the country in 2021, including in Northridge, Sherman Oaks and Indio, California; Tualatin, Oregon; Dallas, Texas; Las Vegas, Nevada and a second location in Toronto, Ontario, with lines wrapping around the block and fans waiting for hours at each of these openings.

“It’s exciting to see our proof of concept as we expand to markets outside of California – our volumes have been consistent and we’ve been reaching a whole new set of demographics,” said Bill Phelps, CEO of Dave’s Hot Chicken. “Whether it was in Texas or in Oregon, we’ve seen a tremendous turnout, and for us it’s validation that we have something really special here that isn’t just unique to our home state of California. We’ve really set ourselves apart as the hottest fast-casual brand out there right now, and there’s no question about it based on the numbers.”

Founded by classically-trained chef Dave Kopushyan and three 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 17 brick-and-mortar locations in the U.S. 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.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- unit expansion (topic)
- new jersey (location)
- market growth (topic)
- Dallas (location)
- LAS VEGAS (location)
- austin (location)
- Orlando (location)
- new locations (topic)
- Dave's Hot Chicken (company)
- Boston (location)

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Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20210727_daves_hot_chicken_keeps_the_heat_on_high_after_strong_first_half_of_2021.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/6e6a1c4a-9955-4ce9-a02a-a6d7dbe7820b).