The fastest growing fast-casual chain in America found a home in Holly Springs, beating out Raleigh, Durham, and Cary for the premiere Wake County location.
The California-based hot chicken joint took over The Mason Jar Tavern building at Holly Springs Towne Center last December.
“This was a prime location that came up. We decided this would be a great place. We love the community,” says Larry Holcomb, vice president of operations of the local Dave’s Hot Chicken and a Holly Springs resident.
According to QSR — a magazine covering the fast-casual and quick-service restaurant industry — the brand grew from seven stores in 2021 to 180 stores nationwide in 2023. Holcomb hints that additional Wake County locations are on the horizon — “one north of Raleigh and one south of Raleigh.”
Throughout its rapid growth, the eatery has stayed true to its early roots: a high-quality product and a simple menu, says Holcomb.
Dave’s Hot Chicken started in Los Angeles in 2017 when four friends — one a professional chef trained at The French Laundry — set up a parking lot frier and some picnic tables. Good press and word of mouth buzz brought diners en masse and started tipping the dominos that led to nearly 200 locations halfway through 2024.
“What draws people to Dave’s is the attention to the quality,” Holcomb says. “The chicken is halal, a very, very high-quality product. People love spice — the hotter the better for some.”
“The menu is built around that one tender,” he continues. “You can get just two single tenders, two sliders, a tender and a slider, any combination.”
That flexibility makes it easy for guests to sample different levels of heat.
“It’s recommended that you get two different heat levels — maybe one you know you are comfortable with, then you go up that extra level,” Holcomb says.
The seven spice levels start with No Spice (a plain fried chicken tender) and top out at Reaper, which requires a waiver.
Holcomb confirms the most popular is Medium, with Extra Hot not far behind … though a sense of adventure entices many to opt for Reaper.
“A lot of people are trying it as a novelty. It’s an experience to say, ‘I made it through it,’” he says. “I don’t think I’ve seen a day where we haven’t at least sold one.”
Alongside the sliders and tenders come expertly seasoned crinkle fries, pickles, mac and cheese, and kale slaw, which provides a cool crunch that adds a beautiful counterpoint to the chicken’s spicy burn.
Recently, the chain introduced cauliflower bites, which can be seasoned at any heat level.
Don’t forget a milkshake to cool everything down.
“The opening day we had people camped out,” Holcomb says. “Ten minutes before we opened, it was already down the block. It stayed that way the first two weeks.”
Bold and colorful graffiti adorns every location of Dave’s Hot Chicken, executed by brand-certified graffiti artists that travel across the country.
“It’s a pop of color right in your face,” says Holcomb. “The artists try to tie (the design) into the local area.”
For Holly Springs, that’s a depiction of the Shearon Harris power plant and a giant purple Holly Springs moniker above the cashier station.
“Every Dave’s is unique. This wall is uniquely Holly Springs,” he says.
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