A restaurant chain that opened in Lexington in 2022 just opened its latest location in Frankfort.
Dave’s Hot Chicken, which is based in California, opened Oct. 16 at 2500 Vandalay Drive, Suite 105, in The Paddocks of Frankfort development. It’s next to the new Target and near where BJ’s Wholesale will be opening soon. It’s the same shopping center where McAlister’s Deli opened on Oct. 12. Both restaurants are owned by the same local operator, Charles Corley.
Dave’s Hot Chicken, which opened in Lexington in 2022, has opened a location in Frankfort at The Paddocks. The menu includes sliders and tenders in a variety of spice levels as well as sides. Janet Patton jpatton1@herald-leader.com 
Dave’s Hot Chicken in Frankfort features a colorful mural inside the dining room. Provided
Corley said he hopes to continue expanding Dave’s Hot Chicken: He has one in Lexington; Jeffersonville, Indiana; St. Matthews in Louisville, and now in Frankfort.
“I’m still shooting for 10 in the Lexington/Louisville area,” he said. “We’re looking at some other locations. There might be one in Georgetown, we are close on that one. We’ve also looked in Richmond.”
Dave’s Hot Chicken opened in Frankfort in The Paddocks shopping center, near the new Target and a BJ’s Wholesale opening soon. Provided
Dave’s Hot Chicken has been called one of the fastest-growing chains, hitting 500 stores this month. In June 2025, the chain, which was started by three friends in an East Hollywood parking lot, was purchased by Roark Capital for an estimated $1 billion. Roark also owns Subway, Dunkin’ and Arby’s.
What makes Dave’s stand out
These days, it seems the fast-casual restaurant battleground is all chicken.
“Chicken is … very popular these days,” Corley said. “There definitely are a lot of concepts out now focused on chicken.”
What makes Dave’s Hot Chicken stand out from the flock?
“We’re kind of unique, similar to Nashville hot chicken, but with six different heat levels,” Corley said. “And our restaurants are all unique, with the street art on the walls. That kind of differentiates us.”
Dave’s Hot Chicken also serves chicken tenders with the spice level you specify. Sides include fries, which can come as cheese fries. Everything comes with Dave’s sauce and with pickles. Janet Patton jpatton1@herald-leader.com 
The menu at Dave’s Hot Chicken includes sliders, with large chicken pieces slathered in sauce. You get to pick your heat level, from no spice to “reaper,” an ultra hot level. Sides include kale slaw. Janet Patton jpatton1@herald-leader.com
The menu is simple: You can get sliders, mini-sliders, chicken tenders or both. You pick your level of heat, from none to “reaper,” an ultra-hot version that you have to sign a waiver for acknowledging you know you’re about to question your life choices. And there’s now a cauliflower “Not” Chicken version for vegetarians.
For sides, Dave’s Hot Chicken has crinkle-cut fries (plain or with cheese), kale slaw and mac and cheese. The tenders come on a slice of bread with a side of Dave’s sauce. And everything comes with pickles.
Dave’s Hot Chicken
Where: 2500 Vandalay Drive, Suite 105, Frankfort, KY
Hours: Open daily 11 a.m. to around 11 p.m.
Online: daveshotchicken.com
This story was originally published October 22, 2026 at 7:04 AM.
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