In June, we reported that construction had begun at Dave’s Hot Chicken at 12345 Columbia Pike in White Oak. According to a representative from Dave’s, the location is anticipating a mid-November opening.
On Tuesday, the company announced it had reformulated its proprietary “Reaper” spice blend to be more than 50% hotter. The restaurant requires customers who order the “Reaper” flavor to sign a waiver releasing the restaurant from any liability for injuries. Additionally, they introduced a new line of frozen “Slushers.”
“We’re known for having the hottest, most flavorful hot chicken on the planet, and giving our guests what they’re craving,” said Dave’s Hot Chicken’s CEO, Bill Phelps. “The introduction of our hottest Reaper ever delivers on that. We heard from our superfans that they want something even hotter so, along with giving them just that, we’re also launching a new line of frozen beverages to help them cool down.”
The hot chicken chain includes celebrity investors like Drake and Samuel L. Jackson, and will be one of the tenants at the upcoming White Oak Town Center development- joining the previously signed European Wax Center, Jersey Mike’s, Inspire Nail Bar, Starbucks, and Oak Barrel & Vine. Dave’s currently has DMV-area locations in Owings Mill, MD, Vienna, VA, and Washington, DC.
Dave’s Hot Chicken specializes in jumbo Hot Chicken Tenders and Sliders, along with sides of house-made Kale Slaw, creamy Mac n’ Cheese and crispy, seasoned French Fries. Offered at seven various spice levels ranging from No Spice to Reaper, each piece of juicy, hand-breaded chicken is spiced-to-order.
History, per Dave’s Hot Chicken: “In May 2017, four friends scraped together $900 to purchase a fryer, and served up the best-tasting hot chicken tenders around to those willing to venture to their East Hollywood parking lot pop-up. The proprietary hot chicken recipe was so good that, in 2021, Drake took notice, and became a significant investor in the concept, Dave’s Hot Chicken. The company recently celebrated its 6thanniversary by hosting a pop-up in the East Hollywood parking lot where it all began, passing out free food to customers both old and new. With timing that’s as Hollywood as it comes, the company was just named America’s Fastest Growing Restaurant Chain by industry research firm Technomic.* The recognition was earned because Dave’s Hot Chicken’s systemwide sales increased 156% over the past year, outpacing every other chain nationwide.”