Dave’s Hot Chicken Brings the Heat to the Low & High Desert Regions With a 10-Unit Development Deal

LOS ANGELES — Dave’s Hot Chicken, the Los Angeles-based street food sensation turned breakthrough fast-casual brand, announced today it has inked a franchise agreement with Carl L. Karcher of CLK Inc. to open 10 locations in the Low and High Desert regions.

As part of the deal, Karcher will grow the Nashville Hot Chicken concept throughout Southern California. Karcher’s team will focus on adding locations in the Low and High Desert, including parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

“The hot chicken category has tremendous growth potential and is a logical choice as we seek to expand our portfolio. After doing our due diligence, Dave’s Hot Chicken was the clear front-runner,” said Karcher. “The simplicity of the brand’s operations, along with the passionate and experienced leadership team, booming fan following and delicious food was extremely attractive and made the choice to invest a no-brainer. Our team is eager to grow Dave’s Hot Chicken in Southern California.”

Karcher brings decades of experience in the franchise restaurant industry to Dave’s Hot Chicken. His ownership group, CLK Inc., owns over 100 combined Carl’s Jr. and Jamba Juice locations throughout Southern California.

“Carl is exactly the type of operating partner that we are looking to grow alongside. As a cultural fit, we are confident that he will create the same energy and experience in the Low and High Desert regions that we aim to produce in each restaurant,” said Shannon Swenson, Vice President of Franchise Development at Dave’s Hot Chicken. “Our focus is to partner with accomplished and savvy multi-unit restaurant operators, and Carl fits that bill perfectly. We are thrilled to continue growing Dave’s Hot Chicken with excellent franchise partners and are excited to see the concept expand in new markets.”

Founded by classically-trained chef Dave Kopushyan and three friends in early 2017, Dave’s Hot Chicken initially opened as a parking lot pop-up, with lines quickly wrapping around the block. Since then, the brand has exploded in popularity and now has multiple brick-and-mortar locations open in Southern California. Today, the fast-casual brand has its sights set on growing throughout the United States through franchising and has several multi-unit agreements in development.

Specializing in hot chicken tenders and sliders, with spice levels ranging from “No Spice” to “Reaper,” each restaurant also serves sides of house-made Kale Slaw, creamy Mac & Cheese and crispy Fries or Cheese Fries.

Dave’s Hot Chicken offers a robust business model, including national and local marketing support, proven systems, manuals and operating procedures, as well as assistance with site selection. As the brand expands, it is seeking qualified, experienced and passionate restaurant operators and franchise groups to develop the concept in key markets.

About Dave’s Hot Chicken

Chef Dave Kopushyan and three friends opened the first Dave’s Hot Chicken as a parking lot pop-up in early 2017. A self-described “spice freak,” Kopushyan fell in love with the flavor profile of Nashville Hot Chicken and wanted to bring that experience to Los Angeles natives. Dave’s Hot Chicken quickly took off, opening its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in East Hollywood and two more locations in North Hollywood and Koreatown. Now, Dave’s Hot Chicken is focused on bringing its craveable tenders and sliders to communities throughout the country.

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