Dave’s Hot Chicken, the East Hollywood business that started from a parking lot, has signed a deal to bring 15 new locations across the Northwest Chicago area.
All locations will be owned and operated by brothers Rocco and Anthony Armocida. The duo is currently looking for spaces of about 2,000 to 2,500 square feet with drive-thru infrastructure to begin expanding throughout Chicagoland. The brothers, who have decades of experience owning multiple franchise concepts across several states under SDM Management, will enlist family members and dedicated employees to bring these locations to life in the coming years.
“I am looking forward to expanding our presence in the Chicago area so we can share the Dave’s Hot Chicken experience with more people,” says Bill Phelps, CEO of Dave’s Hot Chicken. “Their experience in multi-unit operations and strong ties to Chicago proves that they are ideal partners for us to grow with.”
Dave’s Hot Chicken, which specializes in hot chicken tenders and sliders, with spice levels ranging from “no spice” to “reaper,” was founded by Arman Oganesyan and classically-trained chef Dave Kopushyan in early 2017. Today, the fast-casual brand has more than 599 units committed, an achievement brought on by a franchise initiative that started in 2019. The Armocida brothers get ready to bring even more Nashville hot chicken sandwiches to the suburbs of Chicago.
“I fell in love with the quality, the spice customization, and flavor profiles of the chicken and other delicious menu items right off the bat,” Rocco says. “It’s clear to me that, in addition to their one-of-a-kind menu, Dave’s Hot Chicken has a trusted business model along with a passionate and experienced leadership team to help support me in this journey. Our team is eager to grow the brand in the city and northwest suburbs of Chicago.”
