Dave's Hot Chicken Franchise For Sale – Cost & Investment

USA & CAN
Dave's Hot Chicken Franchise For Sale – Cost & Investment Dave's Hot Chicken Franchise For Sale – Cost & Investment Dave's Hot Chicken Franchise For Sale – Cost & Investment Dave's Hot Chicken Franchise For Sale – Cost & Investment
Dave's Hot Chicken Franchise For Sale – Cost & Investment
Dave's Hot Chicken Franchise For Sale – Cost & Investment Dave's Hot Chicken Franchise For Sale – Cost & Investment Dave's Hot Chicken Franchise For Sale – Cost & Investment Dave's Hot Chicken Franchise For Sale – Cost & Investment

Established

2017

Franchise Units

366

dollar

Minimum Investment

$616,800

dollar

Franchise Fee

$40,000

dollar

Total Investment Range

$4,121,900

Home Based

No

Description

Dave’s Hot Chicken is a rapidly growing fast-casual restaurant brand known for Nashville-style hot chicken tenders, sliders, bites, fries, sides and shakes. Founded in Los Angeles, the concept has expanded from a small parking-lot pop-up into an international restaurant brand with a strong presence across the United States and Canada.

The brand stands out through its focused menu, bold restaurant design and customizable spice levels ranging from No Spice to Reaper. Its streamlined food offering supports operational consistency while creating a recognizable customer experience.

Dave’s Hot Chicken primarily targets experienced, well-capitalized multi-unit restaurant operators rather than first-time or single-unit franchisees.

Why Invest in Dave's Hot Chicken?

Dave’s Hot Chicken operates within the growing chicken and fast-casual restaurant categories and has built significant consumer recognition in a relatively short period.

Key advantages include:

  • Strong brand recognition and social media presence
  • Rapid franchise expansion across North America
  • Focused menu built around chicken tenders, sliders and bites
  • Multiple spice levels for greater customer customization
  • Established presence in both the USA and Canada
  • Dine-in, takeout, delivery and digital ordering opportunities
  • Distinctive restaurant branding and design
  • Multi-unit development opportunities
  • Ongoing operational and marketing support


Background

When it comes to fast-casual dining, chicken concepts continue to lead the market. When consumers are looking for alternatives to burgers or pizza, chicken brands remain some of the most popular and profitable options in the restaurant industry. For investors exploring opportunities in this category, Dave’s Hot Chicken is a standout franchise to consider.

This California-based fast-casual brand was founded in 2017 by Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, and brothers Tommy and Gary Rubenyan. The company began franchising in 2019 and has since expanded across North America.

Dave’s Hot Chicken is known for its bold menu built around customizable spice levels, allowing customers to choose from no spice, lite mild, mild, medium, hot, extra hot, and reaper. The brand’s hottest option is so intense that customers must sign a waiver before ordering it.

The franchise has attracted attention from both experienced investors and high-profile celebrities. Notable investors include Canadian rapper Drake, actor Samuel L. Jackson, and former professional football player Michael Strahan. Franchisees also value the brand’s multiple revenue streams, which include merchandise sales and online ordering channels.

  • Established Year: 2017
  • Franchising Started: 2019
  • Founders: Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan and Gary Rubenyan
  • Headquarters: Pasadena, California
  • Industry Category: Fast Casual / Quick-Service Restaurant / Chicken Franchise
  • USA Franchise Active Units: 348 franchised restaurants .
  • company-owned U.S. restaurants: 10
  • Canada Active Units: 18 restaurant locations are currently listed by Dave’s Hot Chicken across Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
  • Worldwide Presence: More than 400 restaurants across the USA, Canada and international markets as the brand continues its expansion.
  • Canada Presence: Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia
  • Ownership: Roark became the majority investment partner in Dave’s Hot Chicken in 2025, while the founders and management team remained involved with the brand.
  • Franchise Model: Primarily multi-unit restaurant development
  • Development Requirement: Qualified U.S. franchise groups are generally expected to develop at least five restaurants.


Support Training

Dave’s Hot Chicken provides franchisees with support throughout restaurant development, opening and ongoing operations.

Site Selection & Development

Franchisees receive guidance related to restaurant site selection, design, construction and development. Proposed locations must meet brand requirements regarding demographics, visibility, accessibility, traffic and restaurant configuration.

Initial Training

Training includes classroom and practical restaurant instruction covering:

  • Restaurant operations
  • Food preparation and safety
  • Customer service
  • Employee management
  • Inventory procedures
  • Brand standards
  • Restaurant technology
  • Quality control

Opening Support

Franchisees receive assistance during the opening process to help prepare employees, implement operating procedures and establish Dave’s standards from launch.

Marketing Support

The franchise system provides access to established branding, digital marketing, promotional campaigns, social media initiatives and restaurant-opening marketing support.

Franchisees are also expected to conduct approved local marketing within their respective markets.

Ongoing Support

Ongoing assistance can include operational guidance, performance reviews, technology updates, training resources, marketing initiatives, product updates and quality-control programs.




Ideal Candidate

Dave’s Hot Chicken is primarily suited for experienced restaurant operators with the resources and infrastructure required to develop multiple restaurants.

Ideal candidates should have:

  • QSR or fast-casual restaurant experience
  • Multi-unit restaurant management experience
  • Strong financial resources
  • Restaurant staffing and operations knowledge
  • Experience controlling food and labour costs
  • Real estate and restaurant development experience
  • Strong local market knowledge
  • Ability to build a professional management team
  • Commitment to maintaining brand standards

Dave’s currently targets franchise candidates who already own or operate multiple QSR or fast-casual franchise restaurants.

As a result, this opportunity is better suited to established restaurant groups than investors seeking a small owner-operated franchise.



Financial Detail


Financial RequirementAmount / Details
Initial Franchise Fee$40,000
Initial Investment$616,800 – $4,121,900
Net Worth Requirement$5,000,000
Cash Requirement$2,500,000
Royalty Fee6%
Ad Royalty Fee4%
Technology Fee$170 – $500 per week
Term of Agreement10 Years
Franchise Term Renewable?     Yes
FinancingThird-Party Financing
Veterans IncentiveN/A




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