A new flavor is spicing up the Florence area. Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to open in the former Hardee’s location at 1923 W. Palmetto St., near Starbucks.
According to the Post and Courier, this will be Florence’s first Dave’s Hot Chicken, operated by Kal Gullapalli, chief operating officer of MPZ Holdings.
This marks the chain’s fourth South Carolina location, joining existing spots in Columbia, Greenville and Rock Hill.
The Florence restaurant will offer 70 seats, including patio seating, and feature a drive-thru lane. If construction stays on schedule, hiring will begin in May, with plans to employ over 80 team members.
Known for its Nashville-style hot chicken tenders, sandwiches and sliders, Dave’s also serves sides like mac and cheese, kale slaw and crinkle French fries. For those seeking meatless options, the menu includes “Dave’s Not Chicken” — crispy cauliflower topping loaded fries with cheese sauce, kale slaw and pickles.
Customers can customize their spice level from mild to the fiery “Reaper,” making it a perfect stop for all heat preferences.
Dave’s Hot Chicken started in 2017 with four friends—Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan—selling hot chicken from a parking lot in East Hollywood with just folding tables and a portable fryer.
By December 2024, the chain has grown to 283 locations nationwide, with the Florence spot scheduled to open in mid-June.
