---
title: "Dave’s Hot Chicken Bringing 20 Additional Units Throughout Central California With New Development Deal"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/803b4f11-6719-46d7-b6d8-e6fd0168978e
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20210211_daves_hot_chicken_bringing_20_additional_units_throughout_central_californi.html
category: "Chicken"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Chicken"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit"]
published: 2021-02-11T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T02:29:03.273Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1561758033-d89a9ad46330?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Dave’s Hot Chicken Bringing 20 Additional Units Throughout Central California With New Development Deal

**TL;DR:** Dave's Hot Chicken partners with DAMM Fine Chicken to open 20 locations throughout Central California, accelerating the brand's expansion in the region. The DAMM Fine Chicken team brings over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry to Dave's Hot Chicken.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2021-02-11. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20210211_daves_hot_chicken_bringing_20_additional_units_throughout_central_californi.html).*

## Story

“During this exciting period of growth, we want to partner with experienced and qualified franchise partners to help accelerate our momentum. The DAMM Fine Chicken team fits that bill perfectly,” said Bill Phelps, CEO of Dave’s Hot Chicken. “Their experience will be crucial as Dave’s Hot Chicken continues its expansion throughout California.”

Dave’s Hot Chicken works well in a variety of floor plans. The team is seeking 2,000 to 2,500 square feet endcaps and freestanding locations, with drive-thru infrastructure a plus.

“Dave’s Hot Chicken instantly stood out to us from the other chicken concepts that are out there,” said Martha Olmos, the Chief Operating Officer for DAMM Fine Chicken. “They have a great innovative product that people love and continue to crave long after they first tried it. Our team is looking forward to the future with Dave’s Hot Chicken.”

The DAMM Fine Chicken team brings with them over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry to Dave’s Hot Chicken. The operators were formerly owners of several Taco Bell locations, and currently own over 20 Blaze Pizza restaurants. The team will focus on adding Dave’s Hot Chicken locations throughout the Central Valley, Central Coast and Sacramento areas of California. The DAMM Fine Chicken team believes strongly in becoming part of the fabric of the community and plan on supporting local non-profits in their communities.

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 multiple brick-and-mortar locations open in Southern California. Today, the fast-casual brand has its sights set on growing throughout the United States through franchising and has several multi-unit agreements in development.

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)
- franchising (topic)
- restaurant industry (topic)
- Taco Bell (company)
- Dave's Hot Chicken (company)
- Blaze Pizza (company)
- california expansion (topic)
- Bill Phelps (person)
- Dave Kopushyan (person)
- Central California (location)

---
Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20210211_daves_hot_chicken_bringing_20_additional_units_throughout_central_californi.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/803b4f11-6719-46d7-b6d8-e6fd0168978e).