What Makes Dave’s a Franchisee Favorite for International Expansion?

What makes a business concept irresistible to multi-brand franchisees? Dave’s Hot Chicken has cracked the code. With strategic partnerships and an authentic approach to market saturation, Dave’s is quickly becoming the go-to choice for operators worldwide.

In 2020, Dave’s Hot Chicken made its first big international move by partnering with John Bitove, CEO of Obelysk and Toronto Raptors founder, to expand into Canada. Bitove, who already managed over 700 units for top brands across the country, signed a master agreement for 30 new units in Ontario and British Columbia.

Fast forward to 2022, Dave’s continued its international push, this time teaming up with Lavoya , led by Walid Hajj. Hajj is no stranger to growing iconic brands like Cinnabon, Five Guys, and Carvel Ice Cream across the Arabian Gulf . His team is now on track to open 31 Dave’s Hot Chicken locations across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, bringing Nashville heat to the Middle East.

And the momentum keeps building. The latest expansion deal with Azzurri Group will bring Dave’s to the UK and Ireland , with the first location set to open in London in early 2025.

Authenticity You Can’t Fake

Aside from teaming up with industry heavyweights and A-list investors like Drake and Usher, Dave’s uses a fan-first approach to new markets, backed by an earned fanbase of over 4.2 million followers across Instagram and TikTok . User-generated content (UGC ) spreads like wildfire, creating massive excitement before a single bite is served.

This buzz isn’t lost on franchisees. The brand’s devoted following and social media savviness make launching a new location less risky and more rewarding.

A Scalable Model That Works Globally

The infrastructure behind Dave’s is just as integral as the product itself. CEO @Bill Phelps , who co-founded Wetzel’s Pretzels and helped launch Blaze Pizza, once the fastest-growing restaurant chain ever , knows what it takes to scale a brand across international borders.

Phelps' robust plan and strategic systems allowed Dave's Hot Chicken to stay true to its core values amongst rapid development: Build Something Phenomenal, Remember How We Got Here, Include and Respect Our Partners, Never Give Up, and Execute, Excel and Enjoy.

“I’ve seen infrastructure failures firsthand, so I know the importance of getting the systems right,” says Phelps. “You need to be disciplined and have everything down pat.”

This commitment to quality, consistency, and scalability has earned Dave’s recognition in Nation’s Restaurant News Top 500 Restaurants , Franchise Times Top 400 , Franchise Business Review’s Top 200 Franchises and Culture 100 List , and Entrepreneur’s Top New and Emerging Franchises . The leadership team is making waves too, with CMO @Brad Haley named to NRN’s 2024 Power List for Influential Marketers and Marketing Director @Srishti V. Handa landing on AdAge’s 2024 40 Under 40 list.

Plus, with members of Dave’s C-suite actively involved as franchisees, they bring real, on-the-ground experience with both the brand’s challenges and strengths.

Dave’s global momentum speaks for itself. With a proven track record and the right partnerships, it’s no wonder seasoned operators are eager to join the team.

If you’re looking to bring Dave’s Hot Chicken to a new international market, let’s talk!

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