---
title: "Dave’s Hot Chicken Blazing Throughout Indiana and Ohio With New 28-Unit Development Deal"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/917ae7a8-a788-49be-9b2a-17e9cebeedd9
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20210421_daves_hot_chicken_blazing_throughout_indiana_and_ohio_with_new_28unit_devel.html
category: "Chicken"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Chicken"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit"]
published: 2021-04-21T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T22:33:15.691Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1504674900247-0877df9cc836?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Dave’s Hot Chicken Blazing Throughout Indiana and Ohio With New 28-Unit Development Deal

**TL;DR:** Dave's Hot Chicken has signed a 28-unit development deal with Tyler Freeland, Todd Hollman, and Matt Fortney to expand into Indiana and Ohio. The group will open 15 locations in Indiana and 13 in Ohio, and also owns and operates 45 Pizza Hut restaurants in the region.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2021-04-21. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20210421_daves_hot_chicken_blazing_throughout_indiana_and_ohio_with_new_28unit_devel.html).*

## Story

INDIANAPOLIS - Dave’s Hot Chicken announced today that it has inked a franchise agreement with Tyler Freeland, Todd Hollman and Matt Fortney to open 28 locations in Indiana and Ohio.

“As we continue to expand in key markets throughout the Midwest, it’s vital that we partner with seasoned operators like Tyler, Todd and Matt to ensure success right out of the gate,” said Bill Phelps, CEO of Dave’s Hot Chicken. “Their multi-unit experience is invaluable as we introduce the craveable food of Dave’s Hot Chicken to more people in Indiana and Ohio.”

The Dave’s Hot Chicken model works well in a variety of floor plans. The team is seeking 2,000 to 3,000 square feet endcaps and freestanding locations, with drive-thru infrastructure a plus.

“In addition to the delicious food that Dave’s Hot Chicken has to offer, what really stood out to Todd, Matt and me, is how people-focused the brand is. It’s one of the many factors that made the franchise opportunity so intriguing” said Freeland. “There’s a wealth of potential in these markets to grow Dave’s Hot Chicken and our team is excited to tap into it.”

The group will focus on adding 15 locations throughout Indiana, including Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Muncie, Lafayette and Bloomington. In Ohio, 13 locations are expected to open in the Columbus area. In addition to joining Dave’s Hot Chicken, the group owns and operates 45 Pizza Hut restaurants in northeast and central Indiana.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- unit expansion (topic)
- franchise agreement (topic)
- Pizza Hut (company)
- ohio (location)
- indiana (location)
- Dave's Hot Chicken (company)
- midwest expansion (topic)
- Bill Phelps (person)

---
Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20210421_daves_hot_chicken_blazing_throughout_indiana_and_ohio_with_new_28unit_devel.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/917ae7a8-a788-49be-9b2a-17e9cebeedd9).