05.14.21
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 brothers Kory and Kelly Allen, Brian Bogert, Cole Lipscomb and Courtney Mankin to open eight locations throughout the Oklahoma City area. These will be the first Dave’s Hot Chicken locations in Oklahoma.
“As we continue making our entrance into new states, it’s vital that we are partnering with experienced operators to ensure success,” said Bill Phelps, CEO of Dave’s Hot Chicken. “Kory, Kelly, Brian, Cole and Courtney are the perfect fit to introduce Dave’s Hot Chicken to Oklahoma. Their knowledge of the market and operations experience will be invaluable.”
Dave’s Hot Chicken works well in a variety of floor plans. The team is seeking 2,000 to 3,000 square feet endcaps and freestanding locations, with drive-thru infrastructure a plus. Real estate developers should contact Sam Swanson at 405-208-2046 to review available space.
“As we were looking for a new concept to get involved with, Dave’s Hot Chicken instantly stood out. The quality of the food, simple menu and operations truly can’t be beat,” said Kory Allen. “Dave’s Hot Chicken will be a great addition to help elevate the already fantastic and diverse dining scene in Oklahoma City.”
With this new deal, the group brings a wealth of restaurant experience with them to Dave’s Hot Chicken. Bogert founded The Social Order restaurant group in 2002, which includes brands such as Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Seven47, SPARK, Texadelphia and The Jones Assembly. The Allens have operated three Alfredo’s Mexican Café locations in the Oklahoma City metro area, as well as a CycleBar Classen Curve location. The Allens and Bogert have been partners in three Fuzzy’s Taco Shop locations since 2015. Lipscomb has been with Bogert for the openings of Fuzzy’s Taco Shop metro locations and Texadelphia, most recently serving as the operations manager. Mankin has served as president of The Social Order since 2014 and before that worked in sales and operations for a hotel brand based in Dallas-Fort Worth.
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.
In January 2019, the founders partnered with restaurant veteran Bill Phelps, former co-founder and CEO of Wetzel’s Pretzels and a partner in Blaze Pizza. Through Phelps’ leadership, he has brought on a power house franchise team to grow Dave’s Hot Chicken into the major player in the Nashville Hot Chicken segment and one of the fastest growing Fast Casual Concepts in the restaurant industry. Now, Dave’s Hot Chicken is focused on bringing its crave-able tenders and sliders to communities throughout North America and currently has more than 400 units committed, with over 40 locations expected to open coast-to-coast in 2021.