Dave's Hot Chicken Accelerates International Expansion with Exclusive European Agreement

Azzurri Group to Lead Development of Hundreds of Units Across Key European Markets

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dave's Hot Chicken, the fastest-growing Nashville-style hot chicken sensation from Los Angeles, has finalized a landmark agreement with UK-based Azzurri Group, granting the hospitality powerhouse exclusive development rights across Europe. Under the new agreement, Azzurri Group will develop 180 Dave's Hot Chicken restaurants across 10 European countries, leveraging a joint venture partnership model to team up with experienced local operators in each market. These countries are France, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Italy, and Turkey.

The deal builds on the success of Dave's Hot Chicken's UK debut, which launched in late 2024 with a flagship location on Shaftesbury Avenue in London's West End. The restaurant exceeded expectations in both foot traffic and customer engagement, reinforcing the concept's broad appeal and high-growth potential in countries worldwide. Following the London opening, two additional locations, one in Birmingham and one in Manchester, have opened in the UK with similarly strong results.

"This is a once-in-a-generation brand," said Steve Holmes, CEO of Azzurri Group. "Dave's Hot Chicken has all the ingredients for international success—unforgettable food, massive cultural resonance, and an incredibly scalable model. The response in the UK has been phenomenal, and we're now focused on bringing this concept to more countries through strong local joint venture partnerships."

Azzurri Group is one of the UK's leading hospitality operators, with a portfolio that includes ASK Italian, Zizzi, Coco di Mama, and Boojum. The group operates over 225 restaurants and stores and has a strong track record of growing scalable, high-performing brands. Azzurri combines deep operational expertise with a proven ability to execute in diverse markets, making it an ideal partner to lead Dave's Hot Chicken's expansion across Europe.

"This agreement represents a major milestone in our global development strategy," said Bill Phelps, CEO of Dave's Hot Chicken. "Azzurri has proven itself as a best-in-class operator with deep expertise in brand building and market execution. Their commitment to working alongside local partners gives us the scale, agility, and cultural insight needed to expand in new territories."

Dave's Hot Chicken has captured the hearts and taste buds of guests across the U.S. with its crave-worthy menu. Specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken tenders, sliders, and bites with spice levels ranging from "No Spice" to "Reaper," each restaurant also serves sides of house-made Kale Slaw, creamy Mac & Cheese, and crispy, seasoned Fries or Cheese Fries.

Founded by Arman Oganesyan and classically trained chef Dave Kopushyan, along with brothers Tommy and Gary Rubenyan in early 2017, Dave's Hot Chicken initially opened as a parking lot pop-up, with lines quickly wrapping around the block. Dave's Hot Chicken offers a robust business model, including national and local marketing support, proven systems, manuals, operating procedures, and assistance with site selection.

To learn more about Dave's Hot Chicken and its franchise opportunities, visit www.daveshotchicken.com/franchising.

About Dave's Hot Chicken
In a modern-day American dream story, three childhood friends, Chef Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan and Tommy Rubenyan, scraped together $900 to launch Dave's Hot Chicken in a parking lot, portable fryers and folding tables in tow, in 2017. Dave's Hot Chicken quickly took off, opening an East Hollywood brick-and-mortar restaurant shortly after, with support from Tommy's brother, Gary. In 2019, the team struck a deal with Wetzel's Pretzels co-founder and former CEO, Bill Phelps, and movie producer John Davis to begin franchising the Dave's Hot Chicken concept throughout the U.S. and beyond.  The company has sold the rights to more than 1,020 franchise locations in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Canada and will open 70-plus locations this year. Harkening back to an Eater LA blog that helped propel early interest in the brand, the company's mission is to "blow their minds." Additional brand investors include Billboard Artists Drake and Usher, former California First Lady Maria Shriver, actor Samuel L. Jackson, and Good Morning America anchor and retired NFL player Michael Strahan. 

About Azzurri Group
Azzurri is one of the UK's largest and most successful hospitality investment platforms. We operate two leading national Italian full-service brands, Zizzi and ASK Italian, the UK's leading quick-service Italian, Coco di Mama, renowned Irish fast casual Mexican restaurant brand Boojum, and most recently the world-famous, 'mind-blowing' fried chicken brand Dave's Hot Chicken.

Azzurri employs nearly 6,000 people, serving over 15 million meals annually in our growing estate of over 230 restaurants and stores. 

For more information, visit https://www.azzurrigroup.co.uk/

SOURCE Dave's Hot Chicken