WHO OWNS DAVE’S HOT CHICKEN 2025? $1 Billion Revealed!

Who Owns Dave’s Hot Chicken in 2025?

WHO OWNS DAVE’S HOT CHICKEN: Let’s cut right to the chase because, in the world of fast-casual dining, this is the burning question. As of 2025, the majority owner of Dave’s Hot Chicken is the private equity firm, Roark Capital Group, following a blockbuster deal that valued the company at a staggering $1 billion.

Roark Capital, a powerhouse known for investing in major franchise brands like Dunkin’, Arby’s, and famously, Subway, acquired a majority stake—reportedly around 75%—in the wildly successful hot chicken chain in mid-2025. This move cements the company’s transformation. From a tiny, $900 parking lot pop-up into a global food industry giant in less than a decade. The original founders, however, still retain a significant portion. And maintain operational control, ensuring the spicy soul of the brand remains intact. The news that the Subway owner buys chicken chain sent shockwaves through the industry. Proving Nashville hot chicken is a serious growth market.

From Parking Lot to Billion-Dollar Empire: The Original Founders’ Story

It’s hard to believe that this massive corporation started with just a few folding tables. And a portable fryer in an East Hollywood parking lot. The founding story of Dave’s Hot Chicken is the kind of American dream narrative that feels almost too good to be true. WHO OWNS DAVE’S HOT CHICKEN

The Visionaries Who Started the Fire

Dave’s Hot Chicken was founded in 2017 by four childhood friends: Chef Dave Kopushyan (the namesake and culinary genius), Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan. Their initial investment? A measly $900. Their goal was simple: serve up the absolute best Nashville-style hot chicken that Los Angeles had ever tasted.

• The Hook: A food critic from Eater/LA stumbled upon their pop-up and the subsequent review went viral overnight. Suddenly, a line was wrapped around the block.
• The Scale: What started as a small local sensation quickly ballooned. By 2019, they partnered with industry veterans like former Wetzel’s Pretzels CEO Bill Phelps to begin franchising. This was the rocket fuel.

Seriously, imagine working a fryer in a hot parking lot one day. And a few years later, you’re signing a deal that makes you and your friends millionaires many times over. It’s a legendary tale of instinct, quality, and incredible timing!

The $1 Billion Deal: Roark Capital Takes the Majority Stake

The immense growth and fanatical following—which includes an almost cult-like devotion to their “Reaper” spice level—made Dave’s an irresistible target for serious investors. Enter Roark Capital Group, one of the biggest names in private equity for the franchise world indeed.

Why Did Roark Capital Pay $1 Billion?

The valuation wasn’t based on hype; it was based on hyper-growth. By the time of the deal in 2025, Dave’s Hot Chicken had:

• Sold the rights to over 1,000 franchise locations globally.
• Reached a projected systemwide sales figure for 2025 of over $1.2 billion.
• Opened hundreds of stores in the U.S., Canada, the Middle East, and the U.K.

Roark Capital sees a brand that has proven its concept, built a powerhouse customer base, and is ready for the next level of global, structured expansion indeed. Their $1 billion investment isn’t just a payout; it’s a huge bet on the future potential for the chain to compete with the biggest names in fast food indeed.

Is Dave’s Hot Chicken Halal? A Critical Question for Customers

As the chain expands globally and into diverse markets like Austin and has locations from coast to coast, like the one in Seattle, customers consistently ask: is daves hot chicken halal?

The answer is overwhelmingly Yes. Corporate representatives have confirmed that all Dave’s Hot Chicken locations, including the one in Pembroke Pines, FL, and the popular destination in South Burlington, VT, serve halal chicken. This is a major factor in the brand’s global expansion strategy, particularly in markets with large Muslim populations, ensuring that dave’s hot chicken halal commitment is met for a broader customer base.

• Fact Check: Dave’s Hot Chicken is widely known and confirmed to serve halal certified chicken across its U.S. and international system, making their tenders and sliders accessible to Muslim consumers indeed.

The Rest of the Players: Founders and Celebrity Investors

So, did the founders just sell the whole thing and walk away? Absolutely not. That’s a crucial part of the story.

Founders Retain Significant Ownership

While Roark Capital holds the majority, co-founder Arman Oganesyan publicly confirmed that the founders retained about 30% ownership of the company. This ensures their vision, passion, and, most importantly, the original recipe, stay protected. The entire original leadership team remains in place:

• Bill Phelps continues as CEO.
• Dave Kopushyan remains the Chief Culinary Officer.
• Arman Oganesyan is still the Chief Branding Officer.

Keeping the founders engaged is a smart move. Roark provides the financial muscle and operational expertise; the original team keeps the cultural soul that made the brand a hit in the first place.

What About the Star-Studded Investor List?

One of the most unique aspects of Dave’s rise was its celebrity backing. In fact, high-profile investors like Drake and actor Samuel L. Jackson injected a massive amount of cultural capital and buzz. These celebrity investors, who originally invested in 2021, likely also saw their minority stakes rise significantly in value as a result of the $1 billion valuation. Their involvement is a permanent fixture in the brand’s DNA, even with the new majority owner.

A Peek at the Menu: South Burlington and Pembroke Pines

Whether you’re visiting the lively location in Austin, TX, or stopping by for lunch at the Dave’s Hot Chicken South Burlington menu, the core offerings remain famously simple and consistent.

The simplicity allows for high quality and speed, which are major factors driving the positive Dave’s Hot Chicken Seattle reviews and the success in new markets. Plus, don’t forget you can grab a Dave’s Hot Chicken gift card online or in-store—a perfect present for the spice lover in your life!

Conclusion: The Spicy Future is Now

To begin, Dave’s Hot Chicken in 2025 is a global powerhouse, majority-owned by the private equity giant, Roark Capital Group, in a deal that hit the $1 billion mark indeed. Furthermore, the fact that the Subway owner buys a chicken chain at this valuation underscores the brand’s phenomenal growth potential. Crucially, the commitment to its founders and its loyal customer base, including confirming that dave’s hot chicken is halal, ensures its appeal continues to expand. In short, one of the largest investment firms in the world now fuels the fire that started in a parking lot, ensuring the hot chicken craze is here to stay.

“First, what’s your favorite spice level at Dave’s? Next, and just as important, which new market should they enter next? Let us know in the comments below! Finally, and most crucial for brand updates, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more deep dives into the hottest brands in the food industry.”