Dave’s Hot Chicken, the Los Angeles–born fast-casual chain famous for its Nashville-style hot chicken, is preparing for one of its boldest moves yet: a 180-unit expansion across 10 European countries. The rollout will be led by the Azzurri Group, a major UK hospitality operator, under an exclusive European franchise agreement.
The Expansion Deal
Under the new joint venture structure, Azzurri will act as the master operator for Europe, while partnering with local operators in each country to execute growth.
Target markets include:
- France
- Spain
- Portugal
- Germany
- Poland
- Hungary
- The Netherlands
- Italy
- The Czech Republic
- Turkey
This follows the brand’s UK debut in late 2024 with a flagship store on London’s Shaftesbury Avenue, which quickly attracted attention for its bold flavors and cult following.
“Dave’s Hot Chicken has all the ingredients for international success — unforgettable food, massive cultural resonance, and an incredibly scalable model,” said Steve Holmes, CEO of Azzurri Group.
Why Dave’s Hot Chicken Resonates
Founded in 2017 as a Los Angeles pop-up, Dave’s Hot Chicken has become one of the fastest-growing chicken brands in the U.S., known for its tiered spice levels (from “No Spice” to “Reaper”), chicken tenders, sliders, and shareable combos.
Key differentiators:
- Simple Menu – Chicken-first, with spice levels as the signature hook.
- Cultural Buzz – Backed by celebrity investors including Drake and Samuel L. Jackson.
- Rapid Scalability – Franchise-friendly operations with consistent branding.
- Customer Appeal – Younger demographics love the mix of bold flavors and social media–friendly presentation.
Azzurri Group’s Role
Azzurri Group, which operates 225+ restaurants in the UK under brands like Ask Italian, Zizzi, Coco di Mama, and Boojum (Ireland), is uniquely positioned to scale Dave’s Hot Chicken across Europe.
The joint venture structure allows them to combine local market knowledge with the strength of an established operator, ensuring each launch resonates with regional tastes while keeping the core brand DNA intact.
Implications for the Chicken Franchise Sector
The Dave’s Hot Chicken deal is a signal to investors that the “hot chicken” trend is moving from niche to mainstream— and now going global.
Key takeaways for franchise investors:
- Category Growth – Spicy chicken concepts are surging in popularity worldwide.
- Scalability – Dave’s operational model translates well into both high-street and food court locations.
- International Appetite – With KFC, Popeyes, Wingstop, and Chick-fil-A expanding, competition is heating up, but demand for differentiated brands is strong.
- Partnership Model – Using local operators under a master franchise ensures rapid, market-tailored rollouts.
How ChickenFranchiseMaster.com Helps
At ChickenFranchiseMaster.com, powered by Star Brands Consulting Group, we track the fastest-moving chicken franchises worldwide, giving investors the edge in spotting the next big opportunity.
We provide:
- Brand Comparisons – See how Dave’s Hot Chicken stacks up against Wingstop, Raising Cane’s, and Popeyes.
- Market Insights – Analysis of where “hot chicken” demand is strongest.
- Advisory Services – Support for investors seeking entry into high-growth brands like Dave’s.
- Global Expansion Guidance – Helping groups structure joint ventures and multi-market deals.
👉 Whether you’re looking to invest in emerging concepts like Dave’s Hot Chicken or established leaders like KFC, ChickenFranchiseMaster.com is your trusted hub for chicken franchise opportunities.
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