2017
The Backyard Beginning
Dave and three friends host a weekend pop-up in an East Hollywood parking lot. The secret spice blend recipe is born, drawing crowds of 200+ people every Saturday night.
Our Story
How Dave's Hot Chicken Was Born
Dave's hot chicken started with a simple backyard pop-up and one unforgettable recipe — Nashville-style chicken so spicy and flavorful it stopped people mid-bite.
Founded in Los Angeles, United States, Dave's hot chicken began as a late-night passion project. Dave Chang and his crew would gather every weekend, perfecting a secret spice blend that fused Southern heat with West Coast boldness. Word spread fast. What started as a parking lot gathering turned into a line around the block.
"We never set out to build a brand. We just wanted to make the most incredible chicken anyone had ever tasted. Turns out, a lot of people agreed."
Today, daves hot chicken serves thousands of guests weekly from our flagship location at 3462 Wilshire Blvd, with more locations expanding across the United States. Every piece of chicken is still made with that same backyard obsession — hand-seasoned, cooked to order, and always fiery.
What We Stand For
Our Mission, Vision & Purpose
At daves chicken, every decision — from our spice blends to our sourcing — is guided by three core commitments.
Our Mission
To serve bold, unapologetically spicy chicken that brings people together over a shared love of great food — crafted fresh, cooked to order, and never compromised.
Our Vision
To become the most beloved spicy chicken brand in the United States — known not just for heat, but for quality, community, and a dining experience that keeps you coming back.
Our Purpose
Food is more than fuel — it's culture, memory, and connection. Dave's hot chicken exists to create those electric "first-bite" moments that people talk about for years.
What We Believe
The Values Behind Every Bite
Dave hot chicken is built on principles that go beyond the plate. These values shape how we hire, how we cook, and how we show up for our community every single day.
Uncompromising Quality
We source fresh, never-frozen chicken and hand-mix our spice blends in-house. Shortcuts aren't in our vocabulary — only results are.
Community First
From our LA roots to every city we enter, we invest in the neighborhoods that welcome us — through local hiring, partnerships, and giving back.
Responsible Sourcing
We work with suppliers who share our standards — ethical, sustainable, and transparent. Great food starts long before it hits the fryer.
Bold Innovation
We honor our original recipe while always pushing forward — new heat levels, new flavors, new ways to surprise and delight our guests.
Our Journey
The Dave's Hot Chicken Story: A Timeline
From a backyard pop-up to a nationwide phenomenon — here's how daves chicken grew into the brand it is today.
2018
First Brick-and-Mortar
Dave's hot chicken opens its first permanent location at 3462 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. Lines stretch around the block on opening weekend. Local press calls it "the spiciest thing to hit LA in years."
2019
Going Viral
Food influencers and celebrity chefs discover daves hot chicken. A single social media post generates 2 million impressions overnight. The brand becomes a cultural talking point across the United States.
2020
Adapting & Thriving
During global disruptions, Dave's hot chicken pivots to a robust online ordering and delivery model. Sales grow 180% as comfort food demand surges and the brand proves its resilience.
2022
Franchise Launch
The first franchise locations open in three major US cities. The franchise model preserves the original quality and recipe while empowering local entrepreneurs to bring dave hot chicken to new communities.
2024+
The Future is Fiery
Dave's hot chicken continues expanding across the United States, launching new menu innovations, catering services, and an industry-leading spice customization program. The best chapters are still ahead.
Meet The Team
The People Behind the Heat
Dave's hot chicken is powered by passionate people who believe great food changes everything. Meet the crew that makes every order unforgettable.
Dave Chang
Founder & Head Chef
The man behind the heat. Dave spent 10 years perfecting his spice blend before the first pop-up. His philosophy: real flavor never compromises, and spice should be an experience.
Maria Santos
Operations Director
Maria turned a chaotic pop-up into a scalable operation. With 15 years in restaurant management, she ensures every location maintains the Dave's hot chicken standard — consistently and passionately.
James Rivera
Executive Chef
James brings culinary school precision to street food passion. He leads daves chicken's menu innovation team — developing new heat levels and seasonal specials that always honor the original.
Aisha Thompson
Marketing Director
Aisha is the voice behind the brand. She turned Dave's hot chicken from a local secret into a viral sensation, building a community of millions who live for the heat.