Hot Chicken Franchise Opening First NJ Store This Week

WAYNE, NJ - Calling all chicken fans! A California hot chicken chain is set to make its Garden State debut this week in North Jersey.

Dave’s Hot Chicken, which announced its expansion into New Jersey last year, will be opening its doors in the West Belt Plaza in Wayne on Dec. 9, according to the company website.

“This is an ideal site for us to establish our presence and draw customers in,” said Dave’s Hot Chicken New Jersey franchise owner Amit Patel, who touts multi-unit ownership of several Buffalo Wild Wings and Blaze Pizza franchises around the state. “Dave’s Hot Chicken is unlike anything else found in the area, and I think this location gives us a great opportunity to introduce our craveable food to the people of New Jersey.”

The Route 23 location is one of 14 planned for New Jersey, with additional restaurants expected in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties, according to a report.

"The New Jersey-New York (area) is very important to our growth," CEO Bill Phelps said in a statement. "I’m thrilled to introduce Dave’s Hot Chicken to more new customers throughout the East Coast."

Menu offerings include hot chicken tenders and sandwiches with seven spice levels. For critics of spicy foods, Dave’s Hot Chicken also serves cheese fries, mac and cheese and “kale slaw.” See the full menu here.

Hours of operation will be Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

There are nearly 70 Dave’s Hot Chicken locations in the U.S. and Canada, with many sites representing California. In fact, the fast-casual chain began as a California parking lot pop-up in 2017 before its first brick-and-mortar store opened its doors.