Prepare your taste buds, Cherry Hill! The rapidly expanding chain known as “America’s Fastest Growing Restaurant” is bringing the fiery flavors of Nashville hot chicken to our vibrant community.
Scheduled to open its doors in the Ellisburg Circle Shopping Center this spring, Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to make a sizzling debut as the first of its kind in South Jersey, courtesy of Federal Realty Investment Trust’s investment in the Greater Philadelphia locations.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is renowned for its mouthwatering offerings, featuring jumbo Nashville-style hot chicken sliders, delectable house-made kale slaw, creamy mac and cheese, and perfectly seasoned french fries. The highlight of their menu is the chicken, available in seven spice levels, ranging from the mild “No Spice” to the daring “Reaper,” which requires a signed waiver.
The journey of Dave’s Hot Chicken began in 2017 when four friends pooled together $900 to start a parking lot pop-up in East Hollywood, California, serving flavorful hot chicken tenders from an air fryer. Despite offering just one item – a hot chicken combo plate – the street-food stand quickly gained popularity, drawing lines that sometimes extended around the block.
Having opened numerous restaurants in California, Dave’s Hot Chicken expanded beyond the Golden State in 2021, catching the attention and investment of rapper Drake. Recognized as “America’s Fastest Growing Restaurant Chain” by research firm Technomic, Dave’s Hot Chicken boasted 170 restaurants as of November, with 69 new openings within a year, according to QRS Magazine. The chain currently has two locations in New Jersey, in Wayne and Ocean Township, with plans for hundreds more.
Apart from the upcoming Cherry Hill establishment, Dave’s is gearing up to launch six additional South Jersey restaurants in the next five years, as reported by NJ Advance Media. While the specific locations remain undisclosed, anticipation is building for the flavorful expansion.
Philadelphia will also welcome its first Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurant this month at the Northeast Shopping Center on Roosevelt Boulevard. Another location in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, is slated for a fall opening, according to Federal Realty.
Amidst these exciting developments, Cherry Hill’s chicken scene is undergoing notable changes. Last year saw the relocation of Chick-fil-A Garden State Park to the Garden State Pavilions, while PDQ closed its doors abruptly in November. Raising Cane’s is set to join the culinary landscape at the end of February in Garden State Park, conveniently located just half a mile from the newly relocated Chick-fil-A. The popular chain also recently opened its first New Jersey eatery in Burlington, adding to the diverse and delicious options available in the area.
