If you haven't heard of Dave's Hot Chicken, we can't blame you. Started just five years ago as a pop-up in a Los Angeles parking lot, the chain of spicy fried-chicken restaurants has seen explosive growth. It owes that growth to its spot-on interpretation of Nashville hot chicken, which has brought legions of fans that have helped to make it one of the fastest-growing chains in fast-food history.
@ghobs This Drake’s restaurant is the best in the world. 😮💨
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Rapper Drake liked the food so much that he became an investor, along with actor Samuel L. Jackson and Boston Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner. But who the heck is Dave? Dave Kopushyan is the chef behind the mouthwatering chicken, and he trained at the French Laundry, one of California's best-known fine-dining establishments.
But Kopushyan had an idea to create the best hot chicken, and so kissed fine dining goodbye to start Dave's Hot Chicken. What started as a small stand in a LA parking lot with Kopushyan and three of his friends grew into a bricks-and-mortar location that attracted some deep-pocketed investors. With the help of star backing, Dave's soon spread to several other states. In 2022, Dave's went international, expanding to Canada, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The chain now has about 100 restaurants.
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Dave's menu features four meal options with six side dishes and seven spice levels that range from "no spice" to "reaper." Drinks, including milkshakes, are available to help cool you down.
The chain continues to grow rapidly, with 85 restaurants planned to open this year and 620 units in development, according to QSR Magazine. So, a Dave's Hot Chicken may be coming to a location near you sooner than you think — if it hasn't already. As Drake might say, "Started from the parking lot, now we're here."
