Dave’s Hot Chicken, a Los Angeles-based street food sensation turned breakthrough fast-casual brand, announced it has inked a franchise agreement with David Futrell and Ernest Crawford to open 10 locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

As part of the deal, Futrell and Crawford will look to grow the Nashville Hot Chicken concept throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Their team will focus on adding locations in Dallas County.

“My introduction to Dave’s Hot Chicken was going to their first brick-and-mortar location on a Tuesday night when there was a line around the block at 9 p.m. The chicken is so good that I waited in that line again for seconds,” says Futrell. “After my first bite of one of their chicken tenders, I just knew that people in DFW would love it. Ernest and I are so excited to bring this concept to Texas.”

Futrell and Crawford are childhood best friends who have been partners in the restaurant industry together since the 1990’s. Their previous business ventures included Schlotzsky’s locations in El Paso, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico, and they currently own a number of Fuddruckers locations throughout the DFW area. They also own and operate the catering company Daltex Catering.

“For our first locations in Texas, we knew we needed to join forces with the right franchise partners to make a good first impression. Luckily, we’ve found that in David and Ernest,” adds Shannon Swenson, Vice President of Franchise Development at Dave’s Hot Chicken. “In addition to their experience as multi-unit restaurant operators, their strong catering business offers us an opportunity to tap into a new avenue for Dave’s Hot Chicken. We are excited to bring on franchise partners who bring their own personal business expertise to help further enhance the Dave’s Hot Chicken concept and economic model.”

Founded by classically-trained chef Dave Kopushyan and three friends in early 2017, Dave’s Hot Chicken initially opened as a parking lot pop-up, with lines quickly wrapping around the block. Since then, the brand has exploded in popularity and now has multiple brick-and-mortar locations open in Southern California. Today, the fast-casual brand has its sights set on growing throughout the United States through franchising and has several multi-unit agreements in development.

Specializing in hot chicken tenders and sliders, with spice levels ranging from “No Spice” to “Reaper,” each restaurant also serves sides of house-made Kale Slaw, creamy Mac & Cheese and crispy Fries or Cheese Fries.

Dave’s Hot Chicken offers a robust business model, including national and local marketing support, proven systems, manuals and operating procedures, as well as assistance with site selection. As the brand expands, it is seeking qualified, experienced and passionate restaurant operators and franchise groups to develop the concept in key markets.