Craving Pure Heat? Dave’s Hot Chicken Menu & Spice Breakdown
Dave’s Hot Chicken didn’t start as a multi-unit restaurant chain—it started in May 2017 as a humble East Hollywood parking lot popup with a portable fryer, a few picnic tables, and $900 pooled together by four childhood friends. Today, it has expanded into one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands across North America and Europe.
Meals & Combos
Hand-breaded whole chicken tenders and sliders served with crinkle-cut fries and Dave’s Sauce.
- Calories: 1370kcal
- Protein: 62g
- Price: $15.99
Saucy Bites
Crispy bite-sized whole chicken breast pieces tossed directly in signature spicy sauces.
- Calories: 1290kcal
- Protein: 47g
- Price: $14.29
Hot Mozz
Crispy fried mozzarella sticks and planks dusted in authentic Nashville hot seasoning.
NOT Chicken (Cauliflower)
Fresh whole-cut cauliflower tenders and sliders seasoned across all 7 heat levels.
- Calories: 840kcal
- Protein: 20g
- Price: $14.29
- Calories: 1680kcal
- Protein: 28g
- Price: $14.99
- Calories: 850kcal
- Protein: 30g
- Price: $8.39
- Calories: 750kcal
- Protein: 16g
- Price: $19.69
- Calories: 1100kcal
- Protein: 24g
- Price: $22.09
- Calories: 1080kcal
- Protein: 30g
- Price: $20.89
- Calories: 890kcal
- Protein: 20g
- Price: $14.29
Fries & Loaded Fries
Signature seasoned crinkle-cut fries, warm cheddar cheese fries, and loaded platters.
- Calories: 780kcal
- Protein: 28g
- Price: $13.09
Sides & Extras
Creamy four-cheese Mac & Cheese, fresh sweet kale slaw, extra sliced bread, and pickles.
Milkshakes
Thick hand-spun milkshakes and top-loaded shakes in Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry.
- Calories: 880kcal
- Protein: 17g
- Price: $8.39
- Calories: 650kcal
- Protein: 11g
- Price: $7.19
- Calories: 870kcal
- Protein: 15g
- Price: $8.39
- Calories: 1160kcal
- Protein: 20g
- Price: $10.69
Slushers
Icy fruit-infused refreshers and Red Bull boosted slushers to beat the summer heat.
- Calories: 220kcal
- Protein: 0g
- Price: $4.79
Drinks
Refreshing fountain sodas, iced teas, and bottled beverages.
Sauces & Dips
Dave’s signature chipotle mayo, cooling ranch, fiery Reaper Ranch, and sweet Hot Honey.
Feed a Crowd
Large group party boxes, 80-piece bite trays, and novelty Hot Box Roulette.
After Dark
Exclusive late-night combo platters and night-owl specials.
From a $900 Parking Lot to $1B Brand
The story behind Dave’s is why hot chicken enthusiasts love the brand:
- 4 Childhood Friends: Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan pooled $900 in May 2017 to launch a tiny East Hollywood parking lot stand with one combo plate.
- Michelin-Star Heritage: Co-founder Dave Kopushyan trained under chef Thomas Keller at the 3-Michelin-star The French Laundry before crafting Dave’s proprietary chicken marinade and seasoning.
- Viral Expansion: An Eater LA feature triggered lines down the block, leading to proper brick-and-mortar restaurants and rapid national franchising.
Celebrity Backers & Roark Capital
Growth skyrocketed through major institutional backing and cultural momentum:
- Celebrity Investors: Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, Maria Shriver, Michael Strahan, and Usher have all invested in the company.
- $1 Billion Acquisition: Private equity firm Roark Capital acquired Dave’s Hot Chicken in a transaction valued at $1 Billion, led by CEO Jim Bitticks.
- Global Footprint: Operating over 390 restaurants globally across the US, Canada, UK, and Middle East.
The 7 Dave’s Hot Chicken Spice Levels
Every tender, slider, bite, and cauliflower item is dusted to order in 1 of 7 spice levels at no extra charge:
Full savory crunch with zero chili heat. Great for kids and first-time guests.
Gentle warmth and mild paprika kick. A safe baseline entry point.
Noticeable southern kick that remains approachable through a full meal.
Classic cayenne burn and balanced flavor. The most ordered level nationwide.
Serious lingering heat that builds with every bite. For experienced spicy eaters.
Intense sustained fiery heat. The practical ceiling for most casual eaters.
Made with pure Carolina Reaper pepper dust. Customers at most locations must sign a printed liability waiver at the register before ordering this extreme challenge. Explore our complete Dave’s Hot Chicken Spice Levels Guide →
Dave’s Hot Chicken Menu Prices
Dave’s prices vary slightly by city and franchise market. Use this planning guide for typical menu ranges:
| Menu Category | Item Description | Typical Price Range | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| A La Carte | Single Tender | From $5.99 | 1 whole fried tender on sliced white bread with pickles |
| A La Carte | Single Slider on Potato Bun | From $7.99 | 1 tender, toasted potato bun, kale slaw, pickles & Dave’s Sauce |
| Combos | 1 Tender or Slider + Fries (Combo #4) | $10.99 – $13.99 | Single sandwich or tender with seasoned crinkle-cut fries |
| Combos | 2 Tenders + Fries (Combo #1) | $13.99 – $16.99 | 2 whole tenders, crinkle fries, white bread, Dave’s Sauce |
| Combos | 2 Sliders + Fries (Combo #2) | $14.99 – $18.99 | 2 full sliders on potato buns with fries & Dave’s Sauce |
| Snacks | 10 pc. Dave’s Bites | $7.99 – $9.99 | 10 bite-sized crispy nuggets with bread, pickles & sauce |
| Sides | Fries / Cheese Fries / Mac & Cheese | $3.99 – $6.99 | Crinkle-cut seasoned fries, cheddar sauce, creamy mac |
| Sides | Hot Mozz (Mozzarella Planks) | $4.99 – $8.99 | Crispy fried mozzarella sticks with Nashville hot dust |
| Plant-Based | NOT Chicken (Cauliflower Line) | $5.99 – $16.99 | Hand-cut cauliflower tenders, sliders, and combo meals |
| Milkshakes | Real Ice Cream Shakes | $5.49 – $8.99 | Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry thick shakes |
| Group / Party | Hot Box (Feed a Crowd Trays) | From $30.00+ | Tender boxes, slider platters, and Hot Box Roulette |
Signature Sauces & Dip Flavors
Dave’s house chipotle mayo comes standard on sliders, but you can also order a flight of dipping sauces:
Halal, Gluten & Vegan Status
Key dietary standards observed across Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurants:
- Halal Sourcing: 100% Halal certified in the UK, and sourced from certified suppliers at many US franchises. Dave’s serves zero pork or alcohol worldwide. Read our full Allergen & Halal Guide →
- Gluten Considerations: Breading contains wheat flour and is cooked in shared fryers. Not certified gluten-free.
- Vegetarian Cauliflower: NOT Chicken Cauli line offers whole cauliflower spiced across all 7 heat levels.
Nutrition & Macro Overview
Dave’s Nashville hot chicken is protein-rich and hearty:
App, Online & Locations
How to order and earn loyalty rewards on your chicken:
- Frequent Fryer Rewards: Earn 10 points per $1 spent in-app, online, or in-store. Redeem for free shakes and combo meals. Read our App & Rewards Guide →
- Store Hours & Locations: Verify daily schedules, late-night drive-thru windows, and phone numbers in our Locations Directory →
Catering & Group Orders
Feeding offices, family gatherings, and large events:
- ezCater Online Ordering: Order shareable Hot Boxes, boxed lunches, and half-pans of Mac & Cheese with ezDispatch delivery.
- The 50% Mild Rule: Accommodate every guest by balancing spice tiers across group trays. Explore the full Catering & Group Orders Guide →
Curated Combinations by Dining Mood
Recommendations tailored for your specific appetite and spice tolerance:
Frequently Asked Questions About Dave’s Hot Chicken
Dave’s Hot Chicken has seven spice levels: No Spice / Not Hot, Lite Mild, Mild, Medium, Hot, Extra Hot, and Carolina Reaper. All levels are available across tenders, sliders, bites, and cauliflower at no extra cost.
Yes. At most locations, ordering the Carolina Reaper spice level requires signing a printed liability waiver at the register acknowledging the extreme capsaicin intensity.
In the UK, Dave’s is officially 100% Halal certified. In the US and Canada, many franchise locations source certified halal chicken, and the brand serves zero pork or alcohol worldwide. Always check with your local branch.
Yes. The Dave’s NOT Chicken (Cauliflower) line offers fresh hand-cut cauliflower prepared in tender, slider, and bite formats across all seven heat levels.
Founded in 2017 by Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan, the company was acquired in June 2025 by private equity firm Roark Capital in a deal valued at $1 Billion, led by CEO Jim Bitticks.
Generally yes. Third-party delivery apps include added courier and service fees, making direct in-store or official app pickup the most cost-effective route.
Yes. The Frequent Fryer Rewards program in the Dave’s app earns 10 points per $1 spent on qualifying direct orders, redeemable for free drinks, sides, shakes, and full combo meals.