May 15, 2026 // Franchising.com // WICHITA— Dave’s Hot Chicken is turning up the heat in Wichita and Manhattan, Kansas. The new locations will include 2692 N Greenwich Rd, Wichita, KS 67226, located on the East Side of Wichita in the Greenwich Place shopping center, with an anticipated opening in August 2026. Additional restaurants are planned in Manhattan, Lawrence, Topeka, and West Wichita, Kansas, with openings expected throughout 2026.
The fast-casual concept, which originated in Los Angeles, is bringing its Nashville-style hot chicken to the category’s founding market, while continuing to expand its presence across Kansas. As the brand enters Wichita, it aims to honor the roots of hot chicken while introducing its own take on bold flavor and fast-casual execution.
Longtime Dave’s Hot Chicken operators and brothers Jason and John Hotchkiss, alongside their brother-in-law, Paul Gorman, are leading the expansion of the group’s portfolio. The multi-generational group also includes Paul’s son, Pierce Gorman, and his wife, Hannah, who will support the new venture and oversee the entire operations of the new restaurants.
“This opportunity represents a major step forward for our family as we continue to build a multi-generational business together,” said Jason Hotchkiss. “What started as a new venture to grow with Dave’s Hot Chicken has evolved into something much bigger, establishing a lasting family legacy. We’re thrilled to expand into Manhattan and Wichita and to bring the energy and culture of Dave’s Hot Chicken to each of these communities.”
The group behind this expansion brings extensive experience in the franchise industry. In 2022, the Hotchkiss brothers and Paul Gorman signed an agreement to open eight locations throughout the San Antonio area. Now, the next generation is continuing to build on the family’s track record of scaling and managing multi-unit restaurant operations, with Pierce focusing on Kansas.
Dave’s Hot Chicken has captured the hearts and taste buds of guests worldwide 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.
“Expanding into three different regions with an experienced team is a vast milestone for us,” said Jim Bitticks, CEO of Dave’s Hot Chicken. “Jason, John, Paul, and Pierce bring a deep understanding of the local market and a passion for great food and customer service. Their ability to scale operations and build strong community connections makes them the perfect partners to introduce Dave’s Hot Chicken to these areas, and we can’t wait for new communities to experience our bold flavors and mind-blowing hot chicken.”
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. As the brand expands, it is seeking qualified, experienced, and passionate restaurant operators and franchise groups to develop the concept in key markets such as Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico.
www.daveshotchicken.com/franchising.
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 1,216 franchise locations in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Canada, and will open 135-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.
SOURCE Dave’s Hot Chicken
Dave's Hot Chicken brings the heat with craveable chicken tenders and sliders crafted to order and coated with one of seven unique seasoning blends.