In late 2019, Dave's Hot Chicken partnered with the original investor group behind Blaze Pizza to take the concept across the country, including up to 12 total San Diego locations. The investment group behind the franchise development deal includes Bill Phelps, co-founder of the Wetzel’s Pretzels chain who is now CEO of Dave's Hot Chicken, as well as former California First Lady Maria Shriver, actor Samuel L. Jackson, Red Sox owner Tom Werner, movie producer John Davis, rapper Drake, and Good Morning America anchor and former NFL player Michael Strahan.
Dave’s Hot Chicken signed a franchise agreement with San Diegans Lawrence Kourie and Andrew Feghali to open a dozen stores in San Diego County over the next few years. The first San Diego outpost of Dave's Hot Chicken unveiled in late May within the 2,000 square-foot expansive corner unit at 1001 Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach that previously housed Country Boy Fried Chicken for a record low one-month in business. Locations also opened at 10728 Westview Parkway in the Mira Mesa space that last housed a Daphne's, with the third San Diego branch now open at 110 Fletcher Parkway, Unit 101, in El Cajon.
The fourth San Diego outpost of Dave's will open later this year in the space last occupied by Sushiya within Escondido Promenade plaza. Expect an ultra-concise menu of Nashville-style fried chicken tenders and fried chicken sliders (they're really full size sandwich) with spice levels ranging from "No Heat" to "Reaper," which requires a signed waiver. The restaurants also will offer a list of sides including fries, kale slaw, and mac n' cheese, as well as a limited beer selection at some locations and soft drinks.
Dave's Hot Chicken is anticipated to open in late 2022 at 1268 Auto Park Way in San Diego's North County city of Escondido. For more information, visit daveshotchicken.com.
