Dave's Hot Chicken Locations Near Me

Before you drive across town looking for Dave’s, check if there’s actually one near you first. Because this chain is moving fast — and if you haven’t been paying attention, you might not realize how many cities it’s already hit.

Dave’s Hot Chicken started in May 2017 as a $900 parking lot pop-up in East Hollywood, Los Angeles. Four childhood friends — Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan — set up a yellow tent, brought portable fryers, and started selling Nashville-style hot chicken tenders to whoever showed up. The lines that formed that first night told everyone exactly where this brand was headed.

As of mid-2026, there are 400+ Dave’s Hot Chicken locations across the United States and internationally. The brand operates in 45 US states, plus Canada, the United Kingdom, the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. In June 2025, private equity firm Roark Capital — which also owns Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Sonic — acquired the entire company for approximately $1 billion. New CEO Jim Bitticks took over in January 2026 and immediately confirmed plans for 131–150 new US locations this year alone.

Want to know what you’re ordering before you find your nearest spot? Check the complete Dave’s Hot Chicken menu with prices and calories — everything from tenders and sliders to shakes and sides, all in one place.

How Many Dave’s Hot Chicken Locations Are There in 2026?

As of mid-2026, Dave’s Hot Chicken operates 400+ locations worldwide:

390+ locations in the United States across 45 states and territories
25+ international locations in Canada, UK, UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia
Franchise rights sold for over 1,216 future locations globally

To understand the scale of that growth: Dave’s added 120 new restaurants in 2025 alone. In 2026, they’re targeting 131–150 more in the US, plus the first Dave’s location in Ireland is already confirmed. Europe is next, with 180 restaurants planned across 10 countries.

California leads all states with 76 locations — roughly 19% of the entire US network. Texas is second with approximately 35 locations. Florida sits at roughly 24 locations and is actively growing. After that, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Georgia, Arizona, Washington, and Minnesota round out the strongest markets.

The only US markets without a Dave’s yet are Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico — and even those are being actively targeted by the franchise team.

Dave’s Hot Chicken Locations by State — Full 2026 Overview

State / Market	Est. Locations (2026)	Key Cities	Drive-Thru Available	Delivery
California	76+	LA, San Diego, Oakland, Anaheim, Irvine, Sacramento, Long Beach	Select suburban locations	DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub
Texas	35+	Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Waco, El Paso	Select locations	All major platforms
Florida	24+	Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville	Select locations	All major platforms
Illinois	15+	Chicago, Arlington Heights, Naperville	Select locations	All major platforms
Nevada	10+	Las Vegas Strip, downtown Las Vegas	Select locations	All major platforms
New York	10+	NYC, Brooklyn, Oneonta, White Plains	Rare (urban)	All major platforms
Georgia	8+	Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah	Select locations	All major platforms
Arizona	8+	Phoenix, Scottsdale	Select locations	All major platforms
Washington	6+	Seattle, Portland area	Select locations	All major platforms
Minnesota	6+ (new 2026)	Twin Cities, Rogers, Edina, Eden Prairie	Some new builds	All major platforms
North Carolina	8 new in 2026	Gastonia, Charlotte	Select locations	All major platforms
Massachusetts	10 new in 2026	Boston, Worcester, Franklin, Chelmsford	Select locations	All major platforms
Ohio	Growing	Columbus, Fairlawn, Toledo	Select locations	All major platforms
Canada	25+	Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary	Select locations	Local platforms
United Kingdom	1+	London (Shaftesbury Ave)	No	Limited
UAE / Qatar / KSA	5+	Dubai, Doha, Riyadh	No	Local platforms

Counts are approximate. Dave’s opens new stores monthly — always verify at daveshotchicken.com/locations.

Dave’s Hot Chicken Locations in California

California is more than just Dave’s biggest market — it’s where the brand’s entire DNA was written. Every location in every state traces back to a parking lot in East Hollywood.

Dave’s Hot Chicken Los Angeles Locations

Los Angeles has the highest concentration of Dave’s restaurants of any city in America. The original location sits in East Hollywood off North Western Avenue — that’s still the pilgrimage spot, ground zero of the whole empire.

Since the original, Dave’s expanded to Koreatown on Wilshire Boulevard, Ladera Heights, and North Hollywood (winter 2019). From there, the suburban sprawl took over: the Valley, the South Bay, and progressively outward. Orange County got Anaheim, Orange, Irvine, and Tustin in late 2020 and early 2021. The Bay Area joined in 2021 with Santa Rosa and Union City, then Oakland, Sunnyvale, and San Leandro the year after. San Diego, Sacramento, Long Beach, Northridge, and Mission Viejo are all on the map now too.

One honest thing about LA locations: most don’t have drive-throughs. Dave’s started as a walk-up urban concept and the older city spots kept that format. Delivery through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub covers the LA metro well though — which is how most Angelenos order anyway.

Before you visit any California location, it’s worth checking Dave’s nutrition facts and the allergen menu — especially if you have dietary restrictions, since everything is cooked in shared fryers.

Dave’s Hot Chicken Locations in Texas

Texas entered the Dave’s network during the massive 2021 expansion wave. Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin are the four pillars. San Antonio in particular has an active franchise group led by the Hotchkiss brothers — a new Helotes location (9257 N Loop 1604 W) was under construction as of mid-2026, with an expected November 2026 opening.

Texas geography works well for drive-throughs — suburban strip mall builds across Dallas and Houston suburbs often include that option. Kansas City and Oklahoma City were also confirmed in the 2026 expansion pipeline.

Dave’s Hot Chicken Locations in New York

New York is one of Dave’s more complex markets. The demand is enormous — NYC locations are consistently among the busiest in the entire network. But New York real estate makes rapid expansion genuinely difficult.

Dave’s Hot Chicken New York City Locations

NYC locations span different boroughs — Manhattan, Brooklyn, Fresh Meadows (Queens), and White Plains further north. A new Oneonta location opened on April 17, 2026 as part of Dave’s eight-state single-day opening event.

Massachusetts is actually getting more aggressive 2026 expansion than NYC itself — 10 new locations planned across Boston, Worcester, Franklin, and Chelmsford. New York is also getting 10 new locations this year per franchise disclosure data.

Drive-throughs in NYC are essentially nonexistent given the urban format, but delivery is widely available. If you’re in Manhattan on a Friday night, you can have Dave’s at your door in 30–45 minutes without thinking twice.

Dave’s Hot Chicken Locations in Florida

Florida has roughly 24+ locations covering Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville. Miami got its newest Dave’s on April 17, 2026, at 19151 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 24 — one of eight locations Dave’s opened simultaneously across eight states that day. Nine more Florida locations were in the 2026 pipeline per franchise disclosure documents.

Dave’s Hot Chicken Locations in Other Major States

Dave’s Hot Chicken Chicago Locations

Illinois has 15+ locations centered on the Chicago metro. A new Arlington Heights spot opened April 17, 2026, adding to existing Chicagoland coverage that includes Naperville. Chicago has been a consistent Dave’s market since 2021.

Dave’s Hot Chicken Las Vegas Locations

Las Vegas might genuinely be the most fun Dave’s market in the country. Nevada has 10+ locations, and Strip locations stay open until 2AM — sometimes 4AM on weekends. That fits perfectly with how Las Vegas actually works as a city. Tourist traffic keeps these among the highest-volume locations in the entire Dave’s system.

Dave’s Hot Chicken Atlanta Locations

Georgia has 8+ Dave’s locations, with Atlanta as the anchor. Dave’s also has presence in Augusta and Savannah. The Southeast is actively expanding — North Carolina alone is getting 8 new locations in 2026 as part of that regional push.

Dave’s Hot Chicken Seattle Locations

Washington state has 6+ locations with Seattle as the hub. Northwest fans also have coverage in Portland (Oregon) and Eugene. These Pacific Northwest markets often include drive-through options — newer regional builds were designed with suburban drive-through capability from the start.

Dave’s Hot Chicken Drive-Through Locations

Honest answer: drive-throughs exist, they’re growing, but they’re not universal — and the distribution is uneven.

Dave’s started as an urban walk-up concept with no drive-through at the original location. That carried forward into older urban spots across LA, NYC, and Chicago. The shift came as Dave’s pushed into suburban markets.

Newer builds in Texas, suburban California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington more commonly include drive-through capability. The new Rogers, Minnesota location — housed in a former Wells Fargo bank building — was specifically designed with a drive-through for the 2026 expansion. That suburban-drive-through model is becoming more standard for new builds going forward.

If a drive-through matters to you, check the individual location at daveshotchicken.com before going. Urban locations in Chicago, NYC, and central LA almost certainly won’t have one.

Dave’s Hot Chicken International Locations

Dave’s Hot Chicken Canada Locations

Canada was the first international market. Toronto opened in January 2021 — Dave’s first restaurant outside the US. Canada has grown to 25+ locations across Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and other major cities, with franchise rights covering significant further expansion.

Dave’s Hot Chicken UK Locations

London’s Shaftesbury Avenue became the first UK location on December 7, 2024. Dave’s signed a deal with Azzurri Group to open up to 60 UK restaurants, with Liverpool and Newcastle among the next confirmed markets.

Dave’s Hot Chicken Europe Expansion

In September 2025, Dave’s announced 180 restaurants across 10 European countries — Portugal, Spain, Germany, and more — with Azzurri Group as master European franchisee. The first Irish location is already confirmed for 2026.

Dave’s Hot Chicken Middle East Locations

Dubai, UAE — September 2022 (locations at Dubai Mall, JBR The Walk, Motor City)
Doha, Qatar — November 2022 (Villaggio Mall, Place Vendome Mall)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — July 2023

All Dave’s Hot Chicken locations worldwide serve halal chicken — a significant brand advantage in these markets and an important detail for customers everywhere.

Dave’s Hot Chicken New Locations Opening in 2026

April 17, 2026 — eight locations opened simultaneously: Connecticut (Waterford), Florida (Miami), Illinois (Arlington Heights), Minnesota (Edina), New York (Oneonta), North Carolina (Gastonia), Ohio (Fairlawn), Utah (Saratoga).

Minnesota is the standout 2026 growth story. Franchisee Alex Humphries has committed to 30 total Minnesota locations, with six opening in 2026: Rogers, Edina, Oak Park Heights, Eden Prairie, Mankato, and St. Cloud.

Later 2026 pipeline includes Scottsdale, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Portland, Salt Lake City, Boise, Wichita, Charlotte, and Memphis. Kansas is getting its first Dave’s locations — Manhattan KS, Wichita, Lawrence, and Topeka — all under the Hotchkiss family franchise group.

Internationally: Ireland (Dublin) is confirmed. More Ontario (Canada) openings are in progress. UK expansion into Liverpool and Newcastle continues.

How to Find Dave’s Hot Chicken Near You

The official way: daveshotchicken.com/locations — search by city, state, or zip code, with full addresses, hours, and Google Maps links.

Other reliable methods:

Google Maps — search “Dave’s Hot Chicken near me,” results are accurate and include live hours
Dave’s Hot Chicken app — built-in locator plus the Dave’s Rewards loyalty program where you earn 10 points per $1 spent. 300 points gets you a free side, 1,200 points gets you a free combo meal
DoorDash / Uber Eats / Grubhub — shows nearby Dave’s that deliver to your specific address

Hours vary by location. Most Dave’s spots run 10:30AM to 11PM on weekdays, extending to midnight, 1AM, or 2AM on Friday and Saturday. Las Vegas Strip locations may run until 4AM. Always check before making the drive.

One more thing worth knowing: if you’re planning ahead, Dave’s also offers gift cards — useful for sending someone a Dave’s experience without them having to plan it themselves.

Dave’s Hot Chicken Delivery Options

Delivery is available at most locations through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. The official Dave’s app and website support online ordering for both pickup and delivery. App delivery prices typically run slightly higher than in-store — the trade-off for skipping the line, which in high-traffic NYC and LA locations can mean 20–30 minutes during peak hours.

Points from the Dave’s Rewards program only count on direct orders through the Dave’s app or website — not third-party delivery platforms. Worth knowing before you order.

The Dave’s Hot Chicken Story — Why This Brand Became a Billion-Dollar Chain

Chef Dave Kopushyan trained under Thomas Keller at The French Laundry, one of only a handful of three-Michelin-star restaurants in the US. He brought real technical skill to a deceptively simple format: Nashville hot chicken, seven spice levels, a tight menu of tenders and sliders. The execution was consistently better than the competition.

The seven spice levels — No Spice, Mild, Medium, Hot, Extra Hot, Extra Extra Hot, and Reaper — gave every customer a version they could handle. The Reaper requires signing a waiver. That detail alone generated years of social media content and kept Dave’s in the cultural conversation long after the initial hype should have faded.

Celebrity investors amplified everything early: Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, Maria Shriver, Michael Strahan, and Tom Werner all backed the brand before it was a proven national chain. The 2019 franchise deal with former Wetzel’s Pretzels CEO Bill Phelps gave Dave’s the operational infrastructure to scale. Roark Capital’s $1 billion acquisition in June 2025 put serious private equity firepower behind an already accelerating expansion plan.

The menu has stayed intentionally tight throughout all of this: tenders, sliders, fries, mac and cheese, kale slaw, shakes, sauces. No bloat, no seasonal chaos. You can walk into any Dave’s Hot Chicken location in Texas, Minnesota, London, or Dubai and get the same product at the same quality standard.

If you want to compare how Dave’s stacks up against other chains before you commit, the site has honest breakdowns: Dave’s vs Chick-fil-A, Dave’s vs Popeyes, Dave’s vs KFC, Dave’s vs Wingstop, and Dave’s vs Raising Cane’s. Spoiler: Dave’s wins on spice and product quality in most of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Dave’s Hot Chicken locations are there?

As of mid-2026, Dave’s operates 400+ locations worldwide — 390+ in the US across 45 states, plus 25+ internationally in Canada, UK, UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

What states have Dave’s Hot Chicken?

Dave’s is in 45 US states and territories. California leads with 76 locations, followed by Texas (~35) and Florida (~24). Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico are the remaining markets targeted for future expansion.

Is there a Dave’s Hot Chicken near me?

Use daveshotchicken.com/locations or search “Dave’s Hot Chicken near me” on Google Maps. Dave’s app also has a built-in locator.

Does Dave’s Hot Chicken have drive-through locations?

Yes, at select suburban locations — primarily in Texas, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Urban locations in NYC, central LA, and Chicago typically don’t. Check individual locations before you go.

Is Dave’s Hot Chicken expanding in 2026?

Aggressively. CEO Jim Bitticks confirmed 131–150 new US locations for 2026. Massachusetts and New York each get 10 new spots. North Carolina gets 8. Minnesota gets 6. Internationally, Ireland, more UK cities, and European markets are all in active development.

Does Dave’s Hot Chicken deliver?

Yes — through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub at most locations, plus directly via the Dave’s app and website. Check your specific address on any platform to confirm delivery availability.

What are Dave’s Hot Chicken hours?

Most locations: 10:30AM–11PM weekdays, extended to midnight or 2AM on weekends. Las Vegas Strip locations run until 2AM regularly, sometimes 4AM. Always verify your specific location’s hours.

Does Dave’s Hot Chicken have locations in Canada?

Yes — 25+ across Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and other major Canadian cities. Canada was Dave’s first international market (Toronto, January 2021).

Is Dave’s Hot Chicken in the UK?

Yes. First UK location opened December 7, 2024 on London’s Shaftesbury Avenue. Up to 60 UK locations are planned through a deal with Azzurri Group.

Who owns Dave’s Hot Chicken?

Founded in 2017 by Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan. Acquired by Roark Capital in June 2025 for approximately $1 billion. Jim Bitticks became CEO in January 2026.

Does Dave’s Hot Chicken serve halal chicken?

Yes. All Dave’s Hot Chicken locations worldwide serve halal chicken.

What is the Reaper level?

The hottest spice level, named after the Carolina Reaper pepper. Most locations require a signed waiver. Below it: Extra Extra Hot, Extra Hot, Hot, Medium, Mild, and No Spice. Full spice level and menu breakdown here.

Is Dave’s Hot Chicken coming to my city?

With 131–150 new US locations planned for 2026, many cities are getting Dave’s for the first time this year. Check daveshotchicken.com for coming announcements soon.

Final Word

Dave’s Hot Chicken went from a $900 parking lot pop-up to a billion-dollar brand with 400+ locations in under a decade. That doesn’t happen because of hype. It happens because the product genuinely delivers — same quality in Dallas as in Los Angeles, same crunch in Toronto as in Riyadh, same waiver-required Reaper heat whether you’re on the Las Vegas Strip at 1AM or in a suburban Minnesota strip mall on a Tuesday.

The 2026 expansion is the brand’s biggest yet. New states, new cities, new countries. And if there’s no Dave’s near you right now, there’s a better than average chance that changes before the year is out.

For the most current location information, always check the official finder at daveshotchicken.com/locations — new restaurants open every month and the list moves faster than any article can keep up with.

Ready to plan your order before you go? The full Dave’s Hot Chicken menu with prices, calories, and spice level breakdowns has everything you need. Check the nutrition facts if you want to know what you’re getting into, and grab the Dave’s Rewards app before your first order — free food is free food.