About Dave's Hot Chicken
Born from a passion for bold flavors and fiery heat — discover the story behind dave's hot chicken, the restaurant that's redefining spicy in the United States.
Who We Are
The Story Behind
dave's hot chicken
Dave's hot chicken started as a humble pop-up in a parking lot in Los Angeles, where founder Dave Chang crafted a Nashville-style hot chicken recipe that would soon ignite taste buds across the country. What began as a weekend side hustle quickly turned into the most talked-about food stand in the city.
"We didn't set out to build a brand — we set out to make the best, most addictive hot chicken anyone had ever tasted. Everything else followed from that obsession."
Today, daves hot chicken serves thousands of guests daily across multiple locations throughout the United States. Our signature dry-rub blend — crafted from over a dozen premium spices — remains the same secret recipe Dave perfected in that parking lot. Every tender, every slider, every bite is made fresh to order.
Whether you're a heat novice choosing "No Spice" or a fire-chaser going for "Reaper," we have a level for everyone. That's the beauty of daves chicken — it's boldly personal.
Why We Exist
Our Mission & Core Purpose
At dave hot chicken, everything we do is driven by three simple but powerful commitments we make to every guest.
Uncompromising Flavor
We use only premium chicken, fresh spice blends, and house-made sauces. No shortcuts, no frozen shortcuts — every order is cooked to order with ingredients that respect your taste buds.
Community First
We're more than a restaurant — we're neighbors. Dave's hot chicken actively invests in local hiring, community events, and partnerships that uplift the neighborhoods we serve across the United States.
Responsible Sourcing
We source our chicken from responsible farms and are committed to reducing our environmental footprint through sustainable packaging and minimizing food waste throughout our supply chain.
How We Got Here
Our Journey Through the Years
From a single parking-lot pop-up to a nationwide phenomenon — here's how daves hot chicken grew into what it is today.
The Parking Lot Pop-Up
Dave Chang sets up a pop-up stand in East Hollywood with a borrowed fryer, a secret spice blend, and $900 in savings. Lines wrap around the block within the first weekend.
First Brick-and-Mortar Location
Dave's hot chicken opens its first official restaurant in East Hollywood. The restaurant achieves a six-month waiting list and earns its first major media feature in the Los Angeles Times.
Going Viral & Expansion
Despite industry challenges, daves chicken pivots to delivery and drives viral social media growth. Five new locations open in California as the brand attracts celebrity investors and national attention.
National Franchise Launch
Dave's hot chicken launches its franchise program, bringing the iconic recipe to new cities across the United States. Locations open in New York, Chicago, Miami, and Houston within the year.
Montgomery, AL Opens
Dave's hot chicken opens its Montgomery, Alabama location at 7413 Eastchase Pkwy — bringing the fire to the South and quickly becoming a local favorite with record-breaking opening week sales.
50+ Locations & Counting
With over 50 locations nationwide and international expansion on the horizon, dave's hot chicken continues to grow while staying true to the same recipe that started it all in that parking lot.
What Drives Us
Our Core Values
The principles that guide every decision, every recipe, and every interaction at Dave's hot chicken.
Authenticity
We never cut corners. The same recipe that started in a parking lot is the same one we use today — real spices, real heat, real flavor.
Inclusivity
From "No Spice" to "Reaper," our menu welcomes everyone. Hot chicken is for all people, all backgrounds, all comfort levels.
Consistency
Every bite, every visit, every location — the same exceptional standard. Our guests should get the same great experience whether they're in L.A. or Montgomery.
Passion
We're obsessed with making the best hot chicken on the planet. That obsession drives our innovation, our training, and our commitment to every single guest.
The People Behind the Fire
Meet Our Team
The passionate people who wake up every day dedicated to bringing you the best dave's hot chicken experience possible.
Dave Chang
Founder & CEOThe visionary behind it all. Dave's obsession with Nashville hot chicken and entrepreneurial grit turned a parking-lot dream into a national brand.
Maria Santos
Executive ChefA culinary school graduate with 12 years of professional kitchen experience, Maria perfected the daves hot chicken dry-rub blend and continually innovates our menu.
James Okafor
Operations DirectorJames ensures every location delivers the same exceptional experience. His systems and training programs are the backbone of daves chicken's consistency.
Ashley Rivera
Marketing DirectorThe creative force behind the brand's viral growth, Ashley's campaigns have made dave's hot chicken one of the most recognized names in fast-casual dining.
Want to be part of the fire? We're always looking for passionate people.
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