Dave's Hot Chicken Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)
Dave's Hot Chicken specializes in Nashville-style hot chicken, serving flavorful and spicy chicken dishes with a range of heat levels.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
348
+
122%
122%
Franchise fee
?
$40,000
Investment
?
$263,000 - $4,122,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$0
+
n.a.
n.a.
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Dave's Hot Chicken has emerged as a dominant force in the spicy fast-casual dining sector. Launched in 2017 by Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan in Los Angeles, California, this franchise has quickly gained a reputation for its Nashville hot chicken's bold flavors.
Based in Los Angeles, Dave's Hot Chicken boasts a brief yet remarkable history, marked by a commitment to providing an extraordinary taste experience. The franchise began its journey into franchising in 2018, allowing entrepreneurs and fans of spicy cuisine to bring the renowned Nashville hot chicken to their neighborhoods.
Dave's Hot Chicken distinguishes itself from its competitors through its dedication to hot chicken artistry, focusing on authenticity, quality, and robust flavor profiles.
Share your information and our team will help you explore Dave's Hot Chicken franchise opportunity, including startup costs, available territories, ownership requirements, and next steps.
The initial investment required for a Dave's Hot Chicken franchise is
$263,000 - $4,122,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Dave's Hot Chicken offers 3 investment options:
Type of Franchise
Initial Investment
Freestanding Location - Traditional Restaurant
$823,800 to $4,121,900
In-Line and Endcap - Traditional and Non-Traditional Restaurant
$616,800 to $2,632,500
DHC Food Truck
$263,150 to $688,500
The investment information below is based on the estimated initial investment for a Freestanding Location - Traditional Restaurant.
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Freestanding Dave's Hot Chicken Traditional Restaurant franchise.
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$40,000
Architect / Engineer
$15,000 to $160,000
Business Licenses and Permits
$1,000 to $217,000
Construction, Remodeling and Leasehold Improvements
$475,000 to $2,315,900
Equipment
$95,000 to $440,000
Furniture, Fixtures and Decorations
$11,500 to $135,000
Smallwares
$11,000 to $41,000
Signage
$23,000 to $123,000
Graffiti and Artwork
$30,000 to $125,000
Grand Opening Kit, Menu Boards
$12,500 to $36,000
Drive-Thru, Loop Timers and Signage
$0 to $35,000
Computer Equipment and Information / POS Systems
$13,500 to $66,000
Office Supplies
$1,000 to $3,000
Uniforms
$1,500 to $13,000
Initial Inventory and Supplies
$20,000 to $75,000
Insurance Deposits
$1,500 to $12,000
Liquor Licensing
$0 to $3,000
Pre-Opening Rent
$5,000 to $35,000
Initial Training Expenses
$2,000 to $30,000
New Restaurant Opening Fee
$0 to $15,000
Pre-Opening Labor Expense
$15,000 to $75,000
Grand Opening Advertising
$10,000 to $12,000
NRO Media Fee
$22,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs
$1,000 to $30,000
Professional Fees
$1,000 to $15,000
Additional Funds - 3 Months
$16,300 to $48,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$823,800 to $4,121,900
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Dave's Hot Chicken offers 3 investment options:
Type of Franchise
Initial Investment
Freestanding Location - Traditional Restaurant
$823,800 to $4,121,900
In-Line and Endcap - Traditional and Non-Traditional Restaurant
$616,800 to $2,632,500
DHC Food Truck
$263,150 to $688,500
The investment information below is based on the estimated initial investment for a Freestanding Location - Traditional Restaurant.
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Freestanding Dave's Hot Chicken Traditional Restaurant franchise.
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$40,000
Architect / Engineer
$15,000 to $160,000
Business Licenses and Permits
$1,000 to $217,000
Construction, Remodeling and Leasehold Improvements
$475,000 to $2,315,900
Equipment
$95,000 to $440,000
Furniture, Fixtures and Decorations
$11,500 to $135,000
Smallwares
$11,000 to $41,000
Signage
$23,000 to $123,000
Graffiti and Artwork
$30,000 to $125,000
Grand Opening Kit, Menu Boards
$12,500 to $36,000
Drive-Thru, Loop Timers and Signage
$0 to $35,000
Computer Equipment and Information / POS Systems
$13,500 to $66,000
Office Supplies
$1,000 to $3,000
Uniforms
$1,500 to $13,000
Initial Inventory and Supplies
$20,000 to $75,000
Insurance Deposits
$1,500 to $12,000
Liquor Licensing
$0 to $3,000
Pre-Opening Rent
$5,000 to $35,000
Initial Training Expenses
$2,000 to $30,000
New Restaurant Opening Fee
$0 to $15,000
Pre-Opening Labor Expense
$15,000 to $75,000
Grand Opening Advertising
$10,000 to $12,000
NRO Media Fee
$22,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs
$1,000 to $30,000
Professional Fees
$1,000 to $15,000
Additional Funds - 3 Months
$16,300 to $48,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$823,800 to $4,121,900
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Dave's Hot Chicken's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Sign up for free to view the document.
Number of units
Dave's Hot Chicken had 358 total units in 2026, of which 348 were franchised-owned and 10 company-owned.
Dave's Hot Chicken offers a comprehensive training program to ensure that franchisees and their teams are fully prepared to run their franchises smoothly. The training program includes:
Initial Training Program
Location: Conducted at Dave's Hot Chicken's training facilities in Pasadena, California, or another designated location.
Participants: Required for the franchisee (or Operating Principal if the franchisee is an entity) and up to three management personnel selected by the franchisee.
Content: Encompasses Dave's Hot Chicken's system and operational procedures, including food preparation, customer service, business management, and the use of proprietary technology.
Duration: Varies depending on the participants' prior experience and skill levels.
Extra Practice Week and Online Training
An additional week of hands-on training (Extra Practice Week) is necessary for the franchisee's Operating Principal and Director of Operations, ideally scheduled 60 days before the restaurant's opening.
Online training modules supplement the in-person sessions, offering flexibility and opportunities for continuous learning.
Territory Protection
Dave's Hot Chicken provides a territory protection option for its franchisees. The franchise agreement specifies whether a franchisee is granted "No Territorial Rights" or is assigned a defined area detailed in Attachment A as their "Territory."
No Territorial Rights: If this option is selected, the franchise rights are confined to the specific location at the given street address. The franchisee acknowledges that there is no territorial protection.
Defined Territory: If a Territory is outlined and described in Attachment A, Dave's Hot Chicken and its affiliates agree not to open or operate any restaurants, nor license others to do so, within that geographic area for the duration of the agreement.
In cases where the franchisee is also part of an Area Development Agreement, the designated Territory will be limited to the development area specified in that agreement. The franchise agreement may permit some territorial overlap, particularly when multiple franchises are located in close proximity.
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