Dave's Hot Chicken Plans Expansion To Two More Minnesota Cities

The locations will pilot the popular chain's expansion into Greater Minnesota.

Dave's Hot Chicken will open in Apple Valley and Coon Rapids this summer and Greater Minnesota is also on the map for the Los Angeles-based fried chicken chain's rapid expansion.

Dave's Hot Chicken's arrival in Minnesota is thanks to a family-run franchisee operation from former NBA star Kris Humphries, his parents William and Debra Humphries, and cousin Alex Humphries.

Alex Humphries said this week they've recently expanded the scope of their plans to include 18 Dave's Hot Chicken locations, with one each planned for Rochester and St. Cloud.

Those two locations, he said, will serve as a pilot for further expansion into Greater Minnesota.

"We are very happy with the positive response Dave's has received in Minnesota!" Humphries told Bring Me The News.

"Minnesotans have embraced the brand's unique take on Nashville-style hot chicken and we couldn't be more excited about bringing Dave's to more communities in Minnesota," he added.

The fast-casual restaurant began in 2017 as a Hollywood street food venture and is today best known for its oversized, hand-breaded hot chicken tenders and sandwiches.

While there are non-spicy options, Dave's Hot Chicken is also a place of intrigue for those looking to test their limits; the hottest spice-level, the reaper, requires customers to review and sign a waiver.

Current and upcoming locations

Minnesota's first Dave's Hot Chicken opened to line-out-the-door-enthusiasm in Minnetonka last summer.

A second Twin Cities location opened in March on St. Paul's Ford Parkway in the Highland Park neighborhood.

The metro's third location is anticipated to open in Apple Valley in mid-June and the Coons Rapid location will follow in the late summer.

The Humphries earlier this year sought to open a Dave's Hot Chicken in Maple Grove, but city officials rejected the broader development proposal over parking and traffic concerns.

However, according to Alex Humphries, Maple Grove is still on the table and potential sites are being explored.

"It is definitely somewhere we want to be!" he wrote in an email.

SOURCE: Bring Me The News