Latest on Dave's Hot Chicken coming to El Paso; Cupbop opening 2 locations on East Side

Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times
Updated ·4 min read

The Los Angeles-based fast-casual franchise, Dave's Hot Chicken, is coming to El Paso and New Mexico next year.

The business group franchised the first location in 2020 and now has 140 franchise locations in the U.S., the Middle East and Canada and will open 70-plus locations this year. The group includes business partners Deryl Pangelinan, Isaac Montoya, Andrew Feghali and Lawrence Kourie.

The restaurants specialize in hot chicken tenders and sliders, with spice levels ranging from no spice to 'reaper.' Each restaurant also serves sides of house-made kale slaw, creamy mac and cheese, crispy fries or cheese fries.

The franchise was started as a street food sensation in portable fryers in parking lots by Arman Oganesyan and classically trained chef Dave Kopushyan, along with brothers Tommy and Gary Rubenyan, in early 2017. They were able to have their brick-and-mortar restaurant before striking a deal in 2019 that would help it start franchising.

The hot chicken recipe even garnered the attention of Canadian rap musician Drake, who became a significant investor in the concept in 2021.

Dave's Hot Chicken has opened over 100 locations throughout the country and beyond since its founding in California six years ago.
Dave's Hot Chicken has opened over 100 locations throughout the country and beyond since its founding in California six years ago.

"Our franchise model thrives on the dedication of our current franchisees, and we are delighted that our first franchisees, Deryl, Isaac, Andrew and Lawrence, are continuing to add to their portfolio, leverage their operational excellence, and extend the reach of Dave's Hot Chicken into fresh, new territories," said Bill Phelps, CEO of Dave's Hot Chicken in a release. "Their track record as accomplished operators is impressive, and we have complete confidence that they will satisfy the droves of passionate Dave's Hot Chicken fans in the New Mexico and El Paso markets."

The Los Angeles based fast-casual franchise, Dave's Hot Chicken, is coming to El Paso and New Mexico next year.
The Los Angeles based fast-casual franchise, Dave's Hot Chicken, is coming to El Paso and New Mexico next year.

Montoya said, "Picking out our first location and then launching subsequent openings in the market is something we're really looking forward to. Our aim is to keep up the string of wins we've had alongside the brand, and to create a strong bond with the community."

A spokesperson for the company said no location has been selected yet, but they are actively seeking real estate in the area. Stay tuned for more details.

Cupbop will open 2 locations in El Paso

Cupbop, the first Korean express-food restaurant, will open two locations in El Paso this fall. The concept was initially presented on ABC's Shark Tank.

The locations will mark the first and second locations in Texas, growing the brand's footprint to 54 locations in the United States and more than 150 worldwide, according to a company release. The restaurant was established in 2013.

Cupbop, the first Korean express-food restaurant, will open two locations in El Paso this fall. Find out where.
Cupbop, the first Korean express-food restaurant, will open two locations in El Paso this fall. Find out where.

"We want to spread awareness about Korean culture and thought, what better way to do that than sharing through our food, "said Cupbop Founder Junghun Song in the release.

Every bowl starts with 'Bop,' which means "rice" in Korean, along with cabbage and sweet potato noodles, then topped with a choice of Korean-style protein like the signature Rock Bop, a Korean-style tangy fried chicken,or B Bop, a Korean-style BBQ beef, and completed with a selection of unique sauces rangingfrom all sweet to fire in the hole level 10.

"We are thrilled to expand into Texas and be part of an emerging culinary scene, and home to a vibrant,active, and culturally-diverse scene," said Kevin Santiago, Gold Bowl Group CEO. "We're grateful to be welcomed into El Paso and look forward to sharing our mission to perfect our food, service, and culture until all creatures of the universe taste Cupbop."

The grand opening for the first location on Eastlake Boulevard and Rojas Drive will be in late September, and the second location on Zaragoza Road and Edgemere Drive will open in mid-October.

The quick-service restaurant offers a unique twist on Korean-style dishes with a fun, lively, show-like atmosphere, calling themselves "food-entertainers." Cupbop bowls will cost $5.99 on opening day only.

Applebee's opens its 10th location in El Paso County

Applebee's, the pub for Bourbon Street Steaks and Fiesta Lime Chicken, now has its 10th location in El Paso County.

The Applebee's, at 13780 Horizon Blvd., is the second franchise for Horizon City. The first one opened on Eastlake Drive. The restaurants offer both dine-in, pickup and third-party delivery services.

Local franchisee Lone Star Apple has opened its 10th Applebees in El Paso county.
Local franchisee Lone Star Apple has opened its 10th Applebees in El Paso county.

Lone Star Apple is Applebee's local franchisee that owns and operates 12 Applebee's restaurants in El Paso and Las Cruces and is the same restaurant group that owns 51 Peter Piper Pizza locations throughout Texas and New Mexico and 10 Boss locations in El Paso.

Hours are 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Phone: 915-249-3832.

More: 7 things to do on Labor Day weekend in El Paso and New Mexico

María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150, mcortes@elpasotimes.com and @EPTMaria on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Dave's Hot Chicken in El Paso; Cupbop restaurants coming to East Side