American fast food sensation Dave’s Hot Chicken has struck a major expansion deal with British group Azzurri Group to open 180 restaurants across ten European countries, including the Czech Republic. The chain, known for its signature fried chicken, will also establish locations in France, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Poland, Hungary, the Netherlands, Italy, and Turkey.
The expansion follows a remarkably successful entry into the UK market on London’s Shaftesbury Avenue in 2024, where customer queues formed consistently for three months. The restaurant quickly gained viral attention on TikTok with its daring “spicy chicken challenge,” which requires customers to sign a risk waiver before placing their order.
Building on this momentum, the brand has already opened additional UK locations in Birmingham and Manchester, with Azzurri planning to establish 60 outlets across Great Britain. “It’s a once-in-a-generation brand,” remarked Azzurri Group CEO Steve Holmes.
Founded in Los Angeles in 2017 by three childhood friends, Dave’s Hot Chicken experienced explosive growth, expanding to over 200 locations across the United States in just six years. Earlier this summer, the chain was acquired by Roark Capital—the company behind Subway—for $1 billion (approximately 21 billion Czech crowns).
The Czech Republic has been experiencing an influx of international fast food chains, with Wendy’s also planning to enter the market, following the recent arrivals of Popeyes and Five Guys.