Temp. Check: Dave’s Hot Chicken Goes Global and Eyes Non-Traditional Growth!

Dave’s Hot Chicken started as a small pop-up in a parking lot, and today, it's a brand that’s leading the global market. With a bold approach to non-traditional and international expansion, we're rewriting the rules in a way that reflects our fearless spirit.

Taking Over Non-Traditional Spaces

We’ve blazed our path in traditional U.S. markets and are now making our mark in high-traffic, non-traditional venues. But instead of going after every opportunity that comes our way, we’re partnering with experienced owner-operators who already have a strong presence and established vendor partners in prime locations.

Chief Development Officer, @Carolyne Canady, puts it best: “The way we’re going about it is by talking to experienced owner-operators who are already operating in airports, which is different than going to an airport and saying, ‘Hey, LAX, Dave’s Hot Chicken is interested in bidding on RFPs that might be upcoming.’ We’re looking for those operators who are already in the airports and want to bring in Dave’s Hot Chicken as one of their brands.”

With a compact 800 to 1,000-square-foot prototype that could be used for non-traditional development, we’re ready to bring the Nashville-style heat wherever there’s an appetite. And if you look at our current development pipeline, that’s just about anywhere!

Case in point: Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to debut its first non-traditional unit EVER at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, thanks to a new partnership with JV Ventures. The group’s portfolio includes iconic brands like Auntie Anne’s, Chili’s, Wolfgang Puck, Starbucks, and Dunkin’.

Choosing Markets Wisely

Nothing at Dave’s happens without careful planning. Every move is calculated, based on consumer demand and franchisee interest.

In 2020, we teamed up with John Bitove, CEO of Obelysk, to bring Dave’s Hot Chicken to Canada. Our partnership with John Bitove’s group, already renowned for managing over 700 units of major brands across Canada, laid the groundwork for 30 units in Ontario and British Columbia and became the catalyst for our global expansion.

In 2022, we joined forces with @Walid Hajj and his restaurant group Lavoya to bring Dave’s to the Arabian Gulf region. Hajj’s experience in growing brands like Cinnabon, Five Guys, and Carvel Ice Cream made him the perfect partner to open 31 Dave’s locations across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.

And if you haven't heard yet, Dave’s Hot Chicken is making waves across the pond! We've inked a game-changing deal with the Azzurri Group for 60 units, marking our grand entrance into the UK and Ireland. The first location will plant Dave’s flag in London by Q1 2025.

?With our eyes on the horizon, Dave’s Hot Chicken is on track for even more explosive growth, and Asia might be the next big target. We’re always on the lookout for the right partners who can help us bring our signature heat to new markets.

Staying True to Our Roots

Despite its rapid growth, Dave’s Hot Chicken hasn’t lost sight of its original purpose: serving mind-blowing chicken and creating opportunities for our teams and partners around the world. Our founders had a bold vision, and we’re carrying that forward by turning guests into fans and taking Nashville-style flavor to every corner of the globe.

And if you ask us, the future looks hotter than ever.

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