Los Angeles-based chicken chain Dave’s Hot Chicken is finally making its Jacksonville debut in St. Johns at 10261 River Marsh Dr.
The company’s newest location is set to move into a vacant corner spot adjacent to PetSmart and Firehouse Subs in the St. Johns Town Center, according to a recent plan review application. This is the latest from JAX 02 LLC, the franchise group that plans to open five locations in Jacksonville and Gainesville over the next five years. Franchisee Andrew Hamerling tells What Now Jacksonville that the group hopes to open this new location by the end of the year, but the permitting process can largely determine that timeline.
The franchise group, which also includes Tim Jensen, Jesse Allen, and Tom Devine, recently opened the first Northeast Florida Dave’s Hot Chicken in Gainesville at the Butler Shopping Center this past weekend. Once they open at St. Johns Town Center, the group will open at least three more locations in Jacksonville and Gainesville. This is the first time the popular Pasadena-based restaurant has entered the Northeast Florida area since the company opened in early 2017.
While this is exciting for the residents of Jacksonville, the state of Florida already has six locations of Dave’s Hot Chicken, including the recently opened Gainesville site. The restaurant can also be found in Altamonte Springs, Lake Mary, Orlando, and Tampa. The chicken chain is planning to open a new location in Pembroke Pines on August 8, according to the company’s website, which has 11 new sites listed as opening soon around the world.
