Dave's Hot Chicken to open first location in New Jersey

Dave's Hot Chicken, an East Hollywood-based chain known for its chicken tenders and sliders, announced last year it was set to open 14 new locations in New Jersey.

But, we didn’t know where, beyond the guidelines of Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Hudson and Union counties.

Now, we know the first location will open in Wayne, according to Nicole Nannola of CBRE Retail, who arranged the lease for the new Dave's with Jay Miller.

Nannola reports that the 2,600-square-foot restaurant will be located in the West Belt Plaza shopping Center at 57 Route 23, very near the Willowbrook Mall. The opening date is projected to be in winter of this year.

Dave's is known for its ultra-crispy chicken tenders and sliders, which range in spiciness from "No Spice" to "Reaper."

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Amit Patel, who has previously opened chains including Buffalo Wild Wings and Blaze Pizza, is the franchisee bringing Dave’s Hot Chicken to the Garden State. In 2021, he said he was looking for empty locations, preferably with space for a drive-thru, to open the chicken joints.

Dave's Hot Chicken, opened in 2017, was founded by Dave Kopushyan, a chef trained at acclaimed chef Thomas Keller's organization, along with his friends Arman Oganesyan and Tommy and Gary Rubenyan.

At first a pop-up in a parking lot, Dave's Hot Chicken garnered buzz on social media and soon had lines of people waiting for a taste of hot chicken. Today, it has 20 locations around the U.S. and Canada.

Rebecca King is a food writer for NorthJersey.com. For more on where to dine and drink, please subscribe today and sign up for our North Jersey Eats newsletter.

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