Hot chicken chain from California with 5 Fort Worth-area locations sold to Subway
The Los Angeles-based Dave’s Hot Chicken chain has been sold to the Georgia backers of Subway and three other major sandwich shop chains in a $1 billion deal, the new owners announced.
Roark Capital, which also backs the owners of Jimmy John’s, McAlister’s and Schlotzsky’s, plus Dunkin’ and Sonic Drive-Ins, controls 22 restaurant chains but not a fried chicken company.
Dave’s, founded in 2017 in East Hollywood, California, expanded at the height of the cayenne-pepper Nashville hot chicken craze. Expansion in Texas has slowed as the market quickly became oversaturated.
Dave’s operates three Fort Worth locations in the Cityview, Alliance and TCU neighborhoods, along with nearby restaurants in Arlington and Hurst.
The restaurant chain immediately captured a young, spice-loving clientele for Nashville hot chicken or hot cauliflower sandwiches and tenders in seven heat levels from “no spice” to “Carolina Reaper,” which requires signing a damage waiver.
“You acknowledge,” the waiver warns, “that eating the REAPER can cause you harm, including, but not limited to, bodily injury, property damage, emotional distress, or even death.”
Roark Capital acquired Subway two years ago. The company was founded in 2001 when investor Neal Aronson bought Carvel Ice Cream, and the company now also backs Baskin-Robbins and Culver’s Frozen Custard.
This story was originally published June 3, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
