There’s been a major shakeup in the fast-food world. Dave’s Hot Chicken has just been acquired by the owners of Subway for a whopping $1 billion. Sheesh.
I wish this were a joke, but nope. Restaurant Brands International (RBI), which also owns major brands like Burger King and Tim Hortons, has bought the chain to enter the “next phase of growth and innovation,” per USA Today.
So, what does this all mean? Well… nothing is changing too much, according to a press release obtained by USA Today. Leadership will remain the same, and the menu (which honestly is the only thing we care about) will stay the same. In fact, per the press release, this acquisition will bring “menu innovation, food quality, in-store experience, operations, marketing, branding, digital, and more.”
Dave’s Hot Chicken first started as a small pop-up in Los Angeles in 2017 but has since grown a loyal fan base across the U.S. In less than ten years, the company has expanded to nearly 300 locations, so it makes sense that RBI would be interested in scooping them up.
“Our entire organization is excited about the fit between Dave’s Hot Chicken and Roark, and we’re looking forward to continuing to blow our guests’ minds and unlocking growth and value for our franchise partners,” said Bill Phelps, Dave’s Hot Chicken’s CEO, per the press release.
Of course, not every fan is happy about these changes. Some are concerned that the deal might change the brand’s unique vibe. “Another good spot taken away. Expect price hikes and different quality,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter).
“Man that sucks. Dave’s Hot Chicken is about to go downhill,” read another comment on X.
We won’t know if Dave’s will change post-acquisition, but one thing’s for certain: The chain is going to be undergoing some major changes in the coming months, whether that’s an expanded menu, more locations, or something else entirely.
