Dave’s Hot Chicken has quickly become one of the hottest chicken chains around. With customers willing to wait hours in line for their insanely spicy fried chicken, many are wondering – who owns this viral sensation?
Humble Origins
Dave’s Hot Chicken started in an East Hollywood parking lot in 2017. The original owners were three childhood friends – Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, and Tommy and Gary Rubenyan.
With just $900 scraped together, a couple folding tables, and a portable fryer, they set up shop under the night sky Thanks to word of mouth and Instagram, long lines quickly formed every night
Their big break came when a food blogger from Eater LA wrote “East Hollywood’s New Late Night Hot Chicken Stand Might Blow Your Mind” The rest is history
Meteoric Rise
That first rave review put Dave’s Hot Chicken on the map The lines grew exponentially, snaking around the block The founders opened their first brick-and-mortar location on Sunset Boulevard shortly after.
Over the next few years, Dave’s Hot Chicken exploded in popularity. The addicting spicy chicken and laid-back SoCal vibe drew in hordes of loyal fans.
Celebrities like Drake, Steph Curry, and Shia Labeouf have been spotted chowing down on their signature tenders and sliders. The brand has expanded to over 25 locations in California, Texas, Illinois, and Oregon.
Current Ownership
As of 2020, Dave’s Hot Chicken is majority-owned by Bill Phelps and Johnny Rockets founder John Jeffers.
Phelps comes from the Wetzel’s Pretzels family. He helped expand that brand to over 300 locations worldwide. His expertise in franchising and experience in the food industry made him the perfect partner.
Dave Kopushyan and the other co-founders maintain a minority stake in the company. They still play an active role, leading site selection and developing new menu items.
Franchising Frenzy
Under this new ownership group, Dave’s Hot Chicken has shifted into rapid franchise growth mode. Their goal is to open over 200 stores by 2025.
The startup costs for a Dave’s Hot Chicken franchise range from $553,000 to $1.2 million. The company charges a franchise fee of $40,000, plus an ongoing royalty fee equal to 5% of sales.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is actively seeking franchisees across the United States. They are targeting markets like Dallas, Atlanta, New York City, and Boston for expansion.
International franchising is also on the horizon. They already have interest from partners in the Middle East and Asia.
Secret to Success
Dave’s Hot Chicken has figured out a winning formula that keeps customers lining up every day. Here are some keys to their success:
Menu – The focus is simple – fried chicken tenders and sliders in seven spice levels ranging from “No Spice” to “Reaper”. They keep the menu tight.
Quality – They use fresh, never-frozen chicken that is marinated for 24 hours in proprietary seasonings. The batter is made in-house daily. This is not your average fried chicken.
Spice – The spice blends take center stage. It’s an addicting level of heat that keeps you coming back.
Vibe – The laid-back atmosphere and SoCal roots are part of the appeal. Ordering “Cluckin’ Hot” chicken and sitting on picnic tables adds to the experience.
Technology – A high-tech kitchen system allows for speed and consistency. Customers get piping hot chicken in just 4-5 minutes.
Social Media – Dave’s Hot Chicken dominates Instagram and TikTok. User generated content and viral food reviews drive brand awareness.
** customer service** – The friendly staff helps explain the spice levels and offers free drinks if a level is too hot to handle. This personal touch keeps customers satisfied.
The Future of Dave’s Hot Chicken
In just a few short years, Dave’s Hot Chicken has disrupted the fried chicken scene. Their spikes of spice and lines out the door have captured the hearts and taste buds of cities nationwide.
Under new ownership, Dave’s Hot Chicken is poised for enormous growth. The sky is the limit for this viral brand born out of a parking lot and a portable fryer. One thing is for sure – they won’t be cooling down anytime soon.
The passionate fans will continue flocking to Dave’s Hot Chicken for their unmatched fried chicken fix. As they expand across the country, more taste buds are sure to get blown away by that first tender dipped in Reaper sauce.
What exactly is Nashville-style chicken, anyway?
Its said that revenge is a dish best served cold, and the origin story of hot chicken proves that might be true.
Legend says the dish was created by the family behind Princes Hot Chicken in Nashville, Tennessee. Thornton Prince, the founder, is said to have been a notoriously unfaithful partner, so after a long night out with another woman, his girlfriend decided to serve him a painfully spicy plate of fried chicken.
Unfortunately for her, he enjoyed it so much that he perfected the recipe and opened Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack in 1945. The restaurant is still open and was recognized as an American Classic by the James Beard Foundation in 2013.
Hot chickens popularity has exploded in recent years, spawning versions on menus across the country. Even fast-food chain KFC has Nashville Hot Chicken on its menu.
Where was Dave’s Hot Chicken founded? How many stores do they have in California?
Dave’s Hot Chicken was founded in 2017 by four friends in East Hollywood. Since then, the fast food chain known for its Nashville-style chicken has grown to include more than 270 locations across the country, with about 70 of its 270 locations in California.
Music superstar Drake famously invested in the Los Angeles-headquartered restaurant chain in 2021. For the last three years, the Canadian rapper gave away free chicken slider sandwiches on his birthday in October.
Drake is not the only big name to have invested in Daves Hot Chicken: Usher, Maria Shriver, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Strahan are also involved.
As its name implies, Dave’s Hot Chicken’s claim to fame is its Nashville-style hot chicken, which comes in seven spice levels, from No Spice to Reaper.
The Truth About Dave’s Hot Chicken
FAQ
Who are the owners of Dave’s hot chicken?
Dave’s Hot Chicken was founded in 2017 by four childhood friends: Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan. They started as a pop-up restaurant in an East Hollywood parking lot, using a $900 investment.
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Who owns Dave’s hot chicken stock?
The company is majority owned by its founders Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan and Gary Rubenyan. It also counts rapper Drake among its investors.