Dave's Hot Chicken has growth ambitions in Tampa Bay
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Dec 1, 2021

The brothers behind Fuzzy’s Tacos in Tampa Bay are bringing a Los Angeles-based hot chicken chain to the region.

Ian and Adam Lieberman, who brought Fuzzy’s Tacos to Tampa Bay in 2015, have signed an agreement with Dave’s Hot Chicken to open eight restaurants between Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties. At least one will open in 2022, Ian Lieberman told the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

Dave’s Hot Chicken serves Nashville hot chicken on a simplified menu: chicken tenders — with a spice scale that ranges from no spice to reaper — with sides of macaroni and cheese, kale slaw, fries and cheese fries. Milkshakes are also on the menu.

Jeremy Kral of Southeast Retail Group in Tampa represents the Liebermans in their real estate search. Lieberman said he’s targeting sites that are around 2,500 square feet, though that will vary depending on factors like patio size and whether the location has a drive-thru. Startup costs for each location can range from $700,000 to $2 million, depending on whether it’s a renovation of an existing space or brand-new construction.

“Because it’s a tight market, we’ll have to be agnostics as to how we occupy real estate,” Lieberman said, “as to whether it’s second-[generation space] or build-to-suit options.”

Lieberman wants to be near the University of South Florida and in South Tampa. Westshore and the area near Raymond James Stadium are also under consideration.

“We are laser-focused on bringing Dave’s to the highest growth potential markets first,” he said.

The best operators within the Fuzzy’s Tacos network, Lieberman said, have signed development deals with Dave’s and introduced him and his brother to the brand.

“When we got introduced to Dave’s, a lot of the pieces seemed to be in alignment,” he said. “When you see people you respect doing something, it’s worth taking note.”

The customer-facing technology Dave’s uses — mobile ordering and third-party delivery apps — is standard in the fast-casual restaurant realm, Lieberman said. What impressed him and his brother was Dave’s focus on operations and its simplified menu.

“They’re evolving from an operations standpoint to not only be more efficient but to also manage costs while at the same time achieving a higher level of quality than any other hot chicken concept,” he said.

Dave’s faces competition from Tampa’s King of the Coop, a Nashville hot chicken restaurant that launched in Seminole Heights in 2019 and is growing aggressively throughout the Tampa Bay area. Chicken tender chain PDQ is based in Tampa, and Chick-fil-A also has a significant footprint in the Tampa Bay market.

Lieberman said Dave’s branding — “there’s a bit of irreverence” — along with its halal-certified products set it apart. He’s also betting on his real estate strategy to help him compete.

“We’re going to be disciplined about finding Class A real estate,” he said.