Armenian-founded Dave’s Hot Chicken has been crowned Yelp’s Most Loved Brand of 2025, topping the platform’s nationwide rankings and earning the distinction shortly after its $1 billion acquisition by Roark Capital, the parent company of Dunkin’, Subway, and Arby’s.
Dave’s Hot Chicken was founded in 2017 in an East Hollywood parking lot by a group of Armenian-American childhood friends, and has now become one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the country.
Yelp’s annual report analyzes consumer sentiment, photo uploads, review volume, page visits, and return traffic using its Review Insights AI tool. The platform found that 71 percent of reviews for Dave’s Hot Chicken locations were four or five stars. That score came from millions of data points tied to food quality, portion size, service speed, customization options, and the consistent experience customers reported across the chain’s more than 300 U.S. locations.
Dave’s outperformed brands with even higher average star ratings because, according to Yelp, it delivered memorable experiences that kept people returning and generated strong word of mouth. Trader Joe’s placed second on the list.
“Seeing how far this brand has come is something I’m genuinely proud of, especially knowing I was there from the very beginning. Being part of its growth has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career, and I’m proud of all my brothers and sisters representing the brand worldwide,” said Vahe Kallibjian, the first manager in the company’s history who later became a multi-location partner and the first franchisee to operate the only Dave’s Hot Chicken food truck.
A Parking Lot Pop Up That Became a National Phenomenon
Dave’s Hot Chicken began in 2017 as a simple late-night stand set up in an East Hollywood lot, built with only $900 pooled together by its founders. Their Nashville-style chicken tenders and sliders quickly went viral through Yelp reviews and social media posts, which helped fuel a strong following. Today the brand has more than 6.5 million followers across TikTok and Instagram and appears in more than 41,000 TikTok videos under the #DavesHotChicken tag, much of it created by fans and food influencers.
The chain’s identity, from its rubber-chicken mascot to its colorful design, aligns with the rise of what Yelp calls “zillennial brands,” built around shareable, snackable, social-media-ready items. Dave’s late-night hours, ranging from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. depending on location, have also helped turn it into a favorite for mukbang creators.
Customization remains central to the experience, with seven spice levels ranging from no spice to the intense Reaper. Dave’s has also expanded beyond chicken, bringing back its “Dave’s NOT Chicken” cauliflower menu for vegetarian customers.
A Brand With National Reach and Massive Momentum
Dave’s Hot Chicken was already named one of the fastest-growing chains in the United States, and Yelp’s data shows it remains the most beloved brand in the western U.S., as well as in Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Utah, Washington, and Washington, D.C. The chain expects to open about 150 new locations per year starting in 2026, a rapid expansion rarely seen in the industry.
The brand also strengthened its national profile in 2024 by partnering with UFC, placing ads in broadcasts reaching more than 950 million U.S. households.
Dave’s generated $620 million in sales in 2024 and is projected to reach $1.2 billion by the end of 2025.
