Dave’s Hot Chicken, the popular Los Angeles-based hot chicken chain, is getting ready to expand its footprint significantly in Northeast Florida.
The company is getting ready to open at least five locations over the next few years in Jacksonville and Gainesville with the help of local entrepreneurs Tim Jensen, Jesse Allen, Andrew Hamerling, and Tom Devine, according to a news release announcing the brand’s plans. The group of owners, who also own and operate several Jersey Mike’s locations in Northeast Florida, says they “are in the process of selecting prime real estate, and we look forward to transforming these sites into vibrant hubs of flavor.”
“These new restaurants mark a significant milestone for our team,” Jensen tells the Florida Times-Union. “It not only strengthens Dave’s Hot Chicken’s presence in our thriving markets but also exemplifies the brand’s commitment to delivering top-notch dining experiences to our local communities.”
Dave’s Hot Chicken, founded by childhood friends Arman Oganesyan, chef Dave Kopushyan, and brothers Tommy and Gary Rubenyan, has Florida locations in Altamonte Springs, Lake Mary, Orlando, and Tampa. This will be the first time the company enters the northeast Florida market. The California-based chain has locations in more than half the country, as well as in Canada, Qatar, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia. The company is also working on a new location in Phoenix, opening later this month, according to the company’s website.
“As we join forces with the Northeast Florida group, we see this as a notable step toward elevating our brand’s presence in dynamic markets across the country,” Bill Phelps, CEO of Dave’s Hot Chicken, said in a press release. “We look forward to being an integral part of Florida’s ever-evolving food scene as we diversify the culinary landscape with the bold flavors of Dave’s Hot Chicken.”
