Pasadena, Calif. — Dave’s Hot Chicken continues its rapid growth in 2026 with the opening of 8 new restaurants on April 16, expanding its footprint to more than 400 locations worldwide. The milestone highlights the brand’s disciplined approach to expansion and its ability to execute at scale while maintaining a consistent guest experience.
The fast-casual concept, which originated in Los Angeles, is bringing its Nashville-style hot chicken to a diverse set of markets nationwide, including Fairlawn, Ohio; Oneonta, N.Y.; Edina, Minn.; Gastonia, N.C.; Arlington Heights, Ill.; Miami; Saratoga, Utah; and Waterford, Conn.
“Opening eight restaurants in one week is a testament to the strength of our system and the commitment of our franchise partners,” says Jim Bitticks, CEO of Dave’s Hot Chicken. “As we continue to grow, our focus remains on executing at a high level and making sure every restaurant delivers the same mind-blowing experience our guests expect. Maintaining a balance between momentum and consistency allows us to scale the right way.”
The brand’s ability to open multiple restaurants across diverse markets in a single week reflects the strength of its operating model, experienced franchise partners and a system built to scale without compromising the guest experience.
“To successfully open this many restaurants in such a short timeframe, every part of the system has to be aligned,” says Juan Lopez, chief restaurant officer. “That includes training, operations, franchisee readiness and keeping the right processes and teams in place to deliver a consistent experience from day one in every market.”
Founded in 2017, Dave’s Hot Chicken has sold the rights to more than 1,020 franchise locations in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Canada, and will open 70-plus locations this year. For more information, visit www.daveshotchicken.com/franchising.
SOURCE: Dave’s Hot Chicken