Popular Chicken Spot Plans Expansion In 3 MD Cities

MARYLAND — Dave’s Hot Chicken plans to open 3 new Maryland restaurants by the end of the year, bringing its beloved menu of spicy specialties to more eager diners.

The quickly expanding fried chicken chain started in 2017 as a small street food cart in an East Hollywood parking lot. It has since ballooned into an international operation with 200 restaurants in six countries.

Named America’s fastest-growing restaurant chain last year, the company has attracted an array of celebrity investors, including superstar rapper Drake, who bought a sizeable stake in 2021. In March, the singer Usher announced a deal to open several locations across Atlanta.

Dave’s made its mark with a simple menu of Nashville-style hot chicken tenders, sliders, fries and mac and cheese, earning it a vocal following — particularly among heat-seekers. While all of its fried chicken is available on a scale of milder variations, the chain’s most infamous offering is seasoned with the Carolina Reaper pepper and requires diners to sign a waiver.

Newer additions include the “Dave’s NOT Chicken” menu, offering plant-based sliders and bites made from cauliflower.

Here’s where the new Maryland restaurants are opening this year:

• Glen Bumie
• Columbia
• Silver Spring

Exact opening dates are not yet available, but company representatives tell Patch all three locations are set to begin operations sometime in the third quarter of 2024, between July and September.

As Patch previously reported, the Silver Spring location is tentatively set for the White Oak Town Center.

Additional location details about the Glen Burnie and Columbia locations were not immediately available.