Celebrity-centric Nashville hot chicken-style restaurant chain coming to Jacksonville
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A popular celebrity-centric Los Angeles-based hot chicken chain plans to take wing with multiple restaurants in Northeast Florida, beginning in Jacksonville.
Dave's Hot Chicken expects to open at least five franchise locations over the next few years in Jacksonville and Gainesville as the chain that began as a popular parking lot pop-up in early 2017 expands its footprint nationwide.
The Nashville hot chicken-style, fast-casual restaurant concept is known for its sliders and tenders with seven heat levels ranging from No Spice up to Hot, Extra Hot and The Reaper
Dave's Hot Chicken lists investors including Drake — a Canadian rapper and singer named Billboard's Artist of the Decade in 2021 — as well as former California First Lady Maria Shriver, actor Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Strahan, a Good Morning America anchor and retired NFL player.
The Northeast Florida restaurants will be owned and operated by local entrepreneurs Tim Jensen, Jesse Allen, Andrew Hamerling and Tom Devine, according to a news release announcing the brand's plans.
Jensen said they "are in the process of selecting prime real estate, and we look forward to transforming these sites into vibrant hubs of flavor.”
"These new restaurants mark a significant milestone for our team. It not only strengthens Dave’s Hot Chicken’s presence in our thriving markets but also exemplifies the brand’s commitment to delivering top-notch dining experiences to our local communities," Jensen said.
Dave's Hot Chicken menu
The Jacksonville and Gainesville menus haven't been announced but are expected to mirror those at the chain's other Florida locations such as in Altamonte Springs.
Dave's #1 ($12.69): Two tenders with fries, pickles and a side of Dave's Sauce
Dave's # 2 ($14.69): Two sliders on potato buns with fries, kale slaw, pickles and drizzled with Dave's Sauce
Dave's #3 ($13.69): One Slider and one tender with kale slaw, pickles, and drizzled with Dave's sauce. All tenders are served with sliced bread, pickles, and a side of Dave's sauce.
Dave's #4 ($9.99): One slider with fries with kale slaw, pickles and drizzled with Dave's sauce
Single sliders are $6.99, while a single tender is $4.99. Side dishes range from Mac & Cheese ($3.49) to french fries ($3.79), Kale Slaw ($3.49) and Cheese Fries ($4.99).
Top Loaded milkshakes featuring Oreos or M&M candy are offered along with classic chocolate, strawberry and vanilla milkshakes, according to the Altamonte Springs menu.
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Experienced local restauranteurs
Jensen, Allen, Hamerling and Devine are veteran restaurateurs, who currently own and operate several Jersey Mike's locations in Northeast Florida.
Allen and Jensen will oversee daily operations when Dave's Hot Chicken opens in the region. Devine will focus on human resources, technology, and other aspects of the “back-of-the-house” operations. Hamerling will serve as the primary point person for legal and real estate matters, the news release says.
Chicken chain's LA roots
Dave's Hot Chicken was founded by childhood friends Arman Oganesyan, classically trained chef Dave Kopushyan, and brothers Tommy and Gary Rubenyan. They started with a tasty recipe, a portable fryer and some picnic tables, CEO Bill Phelps said on the restaurant's website.
It evolved rapidly from a parking lot pop-up attracting lines of customers wrapping around the block, to a brick-and-mortar restaurant in the East Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. The brand's popularity has translated to more than 160 locations in the United States and Canada.
Dave's Hot Chicken has Florida locations in Altamonte Springs, Lake Mary, Orlando and Tampa, according to the restaurant's website.
In May, a study conducted by Technomic, a leading food service research firm, deemed Dave's Hot Chicken as "America’s Fastest-Growing Restaurant Chain," reported RestaurantNews.com.
In its Northeast Florida announcement, the restaurant brand says it's sold the right to more than 700 franchise locations in the United States, Canada and the Middle East and plans to open more than 70 locations this year.
Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Dave's Hot Chicken planning restaurants in Jacksonville, Gainesville
