​Azzurri Group Partners with Dave's Hot Chicken

Azzurri Group has announced its partnership with the renowned US brand Dave's Hot Chicken to open 60 new locations across the UK. The first of these outlets is slated to launch in London early next year.

Gzagona, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dave's Hot Chicken, a brainchild of childhood friends Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, and Tommy Rubenyan, began its journey in an East Hollywood carpark in 2017. The brand has quickly garnered a reputation for its unique spiced-to-order chicken, offering seven levels of spice from "No Spice" to the fiery "Reaper," a level of heat that requires guests to sign a waiver, making it a truly unique and thrilling dining experience.

The brand's innovative approach and engaging social media presence have propelled it to fame, amassing 2.4 million followers on TikTok and 1.2 million on Instagram. From its humble beginnings,Dave's Hot Chicken has expanded to 200 restaurants globally, a testament to its universal appeal and potential for success in the UK.

The franchising of Dave's Hot Chicken took off in 2019, facilitated by a deal with Bill Phelps, co-founder and former CEO of Wetzel's Pretzels, along with investments from celebrities like Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, and Usher. This high-profile backing is a testament to the quality and potential of Dave's Hot Chicken, instilling confidence in its future success in the UK.

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Steve Holmes, CEO of Azzurri Group, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "When we first tried Dave's Hot Chicken, we were blown away. It makes some of the most crave-able and delicious food we've ever had. We're excited to bring this incredible brand to the UK and to be their partner in this ambitious roll-out."

Bill Phelps, CEO of Dave's Hot Chicken, echoed this sentiment, adding, "We know there is an opportunity to make Dave's Hot Chicken one of the iconic restaurant brands, and we do that by partnering with incredible operators, like Azzurri Group. The flavour of Dave's Hot Chicken resonates across borders, and we're looking forward to the first UK store opening soon."

Azzurri Group, known for operating popular brands such as Zizzi, ASK Italian, Coco di Mama, and Boojum, employs nearly 6,000 people and serves over 15 million meals annually across its 230 restaurants and stores.