Dave’s Hot Chicken, a popular chain known for its spicy chicken, has secured a deal to open a location at White Oak Town Center.
This expansion comes with the support of celebrity investors such as rapper Drake and actor Samuel L. Jackson, according to the Washington Business Journal.
WBJ reports that Chris Weilminster, the leader of a franchise group that owns more than twelve Five Guys locations in the region, recently signed a lease for just over 2,800 square feet at White Oak Town Center. The new location will be situated alongside upcoming tenants such as First Watch, Jersey Mike’s, and potentially an Amazon Fresh market, as well as European Wax Center, Jersey Mike’s, Inspire Nail Bar, Starbucks, and Oak Barrel & Vine.
Dave’s Hot Chicken specializes in serving large hot chicken tenders and sliders, along with house-made kale slaw, mac & cheese, and crispy, seasoned French fries. The menu offers seven spice levels, ranging from No Spice to Reaper, the hottest level that requires a signed waiver for those who are brave enough to try. Each piece of juicy, hand-breaded chicken is spiced to order.
The chain first appeared as a pop-up outside a gas station in 2017 and quickly became popular, attracting long lines of customers. Dave’s earned the title of America’s fastest-growing restaurant chain last year, currently operating over 100 locations across the United States, and planning to expand with over 700 new locations in the works.
The brand is entering a region with growing competition from local favorites such as Roaming Rooster, which is scheduled to open a location in Downtown Silver Spring later this year, and national chains like Raising Cane’s, which opened at Union Station this week.
Photo: Dave’s Hot Chicken / Facebook