Appetite Grows for Dave's Hot Chicken But Not So Fast Says Design Comm

Dave's Hot Chicken is opening five new location in Massachusetts, including one on Old West Central Street in Franklin facing Route 140. The company has been quoted as saying they aim to have the Franklin location open in mid-December. But Dave's not here yet.

Tuesday night's Design Review Commission meeting may have put a hold on plans, or at least added some new challenges.

At issue is the fact that the restaurant signage and exterior, which features a "street food" style look, painted by an artist for $40-60,000, according to the applicant, was not approved prior to its creation nor were other aspects of the signage and design, (not to mention a huge outside advertising banner). What's more, most aspects of the signage and design exceed size guidelines and are generally at odds with the more restrained palette embedded in the town's bylaws.

Although the members of the Design Review Commission expressed some sympathy for the owner, who is hiring 40-60 people to open in a matter of weeks, they choked on making exceptions, especially the enormous exceptions sought,  since so many other businesses have either been denied in similar circumstances or have found a way to conform.

The applicant expressed an interest in returning before the Commission later in the month with new design proposals, which may involve painting over much of the work that has been done.

And just what is Dave's?

According to a news release posted on the company web site last year, n May 2017, four friends scraped together $900 to purchase a fryer, and served up the best-tasting hot chicken tenders around to those willing to venture to their East Hollywood parking lot pop-up. The proprietary hot chicken recipe was so good that, in 2021, Drake took notice, and became a significant investor in the concept, Dave’s Hot Chicken. The company recently celebrated its 6th anniversary by hosting a pop-up in the East Hollywood parking lot where it all began, passing out free food to customers both old and new. With timing that’s as Hollywood as it comes, the company was just named America’s Fastest Growing Restaurant Chain by industry research firm Technomic.* The recognition was earned because Dave’s Hot Chicken’s systemwide sales increased 156% over the past year, outpacing every other chain nationwide.

Dave Hot Chicken’s phenomenal growth has been fueled by the company’s cult following, demonstrated by people driving across state lines to get a taste of the food. Significant growth and company milestones include:

• 156% total sales growth in 2022 compared to 2021

• More than 700 locations in the development pipeline, with restaurants currently open in major DMAs across the US, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Detroit, Toronto, Portland, and Milwaukee. The brand also has locations in Dubai and Canada.

• More than 200M organic views of Dave’s Hot Chicken tagged on TikTok

• Highest Instagram followers per restaurant of any national Fast Casual brand

Dave’s Hot Chicken specializes in jumbo Hot Chicken Tenders and Sliders, along with sides of house-made Kale Slaw, creamy Mac n’ Cheese and crispy, seasoned French Fries. Offered at seven various spice levels ranging from No Spice to Reaper™ (which requires a signed waiver for those who dare), each piece of juicy, hand-breaded chicken is spiced-to-order. Dave’s also launched its first mobile app and loyalty program to help celebrate its 6th anniversary, and the brand is very pleased with the rapid growth in app downloads and the strong ratings the app has received on the major app store.

“Dave’s Hot Chicken has one of the greatest origin stories in the restaurant business, with the founders starting Dave’s as a parking lot pop-up restaurant in Hollywood with a portable fryer, and picnic tables from their backyards,” said Bill Phelps, Dave’s Hot Chicken’s CEO. “The company’s nearly unheard-of growth rate is a result of the founders’ vision for this brand, the tremendous leadership team we’ve assembled, and the incredible commitment of some of the most experienced franchisees in the restaurant industry.”