Dave’s Hot Chicken started as a pop-up in Los Angeles. (Courtesy Dave’s Hot Chicken)
A hot chicken chain is breaking into the local market with a spot in Short Pump.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is preparing to open at 11521 W. Broad St. in the Short Pump Crossing shopping center.
The California-based chain is taking over a space formerly held by Rusty Taco, which closed its location there in recent weeks after a two-and-a-half-year run in Short Pump.
Though it slings Nashville-style hot chicken, Dave’s is based out of Los Angeles. It started as a pop-up shop in 2017 before going brick-and-mortar a few months later, and it now has over 220 locations across the United States and in Canada, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Dave’s operates as a fast-casual concept offering fried chicken sandwiches and tenders covered in seven different sauces, ranging from no heat up to a “reaper” level. It also offers a variety of shakes and slushes.
Franchisee Deryl Pangelinan said Dave’s slider sandwiches are its most popular items.
“It’s very juicy, tender and flavorful. The spice isn’t just heat that overrides the flavor; it’s still very flavorful even at the hottest level,” Pangelinan said.
Dave’s is taking over the former Rusty Taco space in Short Pump Crossing. (Mike Platania photo)
Work is underway on the Short Pump space with eyes on a December or January opening. Pangelinan said each Dave’s usually has a staff of between 35 and 50.
The fast-casual concept arrived in Virginia earlier this year with a Chesapeake location, and Pangelinan said the hope is to open about a dozen Dave’s locations throughout central and eastern Virginia.
On the other side of town, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, another new-to-market restaurant chain, recently opened its doors.
Known for its lobster rolls and clam chowder in a fast-casual setting, Mason’s opened its first Richmond-area location at Winterfield Crossing in Midlothian last month.