Dave’s Hot Chicken, a Nashville-style hot chicken restaurant, is getting ready to open in Solana Beach at 905 Lomas Santa Fe Drive.
The company’s new location is set to move into the former home of Our Green Affair Cafe in the Loma Santa Fe Plaza, according to permit filings submitted to the San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality. While an exact opening date has not been announced, the restaurant will be operated by franchise owners Lawrence Kourie, Deryl Pangelinan, and Loralin Acoba. What customers can expect are the brand’s signature spicy fried chicken sandwiches, tenders, and sides, served in a casual, fast-casual environment.
The Solana Beach location will be one of several operated by Kourie, Pangelinan, and Acoba in the San Diego area. Their existing locations include Pacific Beach, El Cajon, Escondido, and more. The franchise partners have been steadily expanding in the region while maintaining a focus on food quality and community engagement.
The menu at Dave’s Hot Chicken emphasizes customizable spice levels, classic sides such as fries and mac and cheese, and seasonal special items. The Solana Beach location will mirror these offerings, providing quick-service dining for both dine-in and takeout customers and offering a full experience of the brand’s signature flavors.
Dave’s Hot Chicken was founded in 2017 as a Los Angeles pop-up and has since grown into a national brand with hundreds of locations worldwide. In 2025, the brand was acquired by Roark Capital, the Atlanta-based private equity firm that also owns Subway and other major franchise groups.
Lawrence Kourie confirmed with What Now San Diego that the Solana Beach site will be one of their franchised locations, but could not provide further details. The expansion reflects the brand’s ongoing growth in Southern California following its acquisition by Roark Capital and continued popularity in the San Diego market.
