🔥 Dave’s Hot Chicken Coming Soon to Kennesaw

Kennesaw foodies, get ready—the buzzworthy Dave’s Hot Chicken is making its way to town! The wildly popular hot chicken chain will open 8/21, in Kennesaw Marketplace (1300 Ernest Barrett Parkway), taking over the former Otter’s Chicken space next to Newk’s Eatery in the Whole Foods Market–anchored development.

Farewell to Otter’s Chicken

Before Dave’s opens its doors, the community will say goodbye to a familiar favorite. Otter’s Chicken will serve its final meals in Kennesaw on December 24, leaving the Atlanta-based brand with just one remaining location at The Avenue West Cobb (3625 Dallas Highway).

Dave’s Hot Chicken’s Atlanta Takeover

Founded in Los Angeles in 2017, Dave’s has quickly grown from a small street food stand to a national phenomenon. Now headquartered in Pasadena, the brand has over 200 locations open nationwide and continues to expand at lightning speed.

The chain celebrated its first Atlanta-area opening on August 29 in Conyers, where the hype was undeniable—reports of two-hour waits and car lines dozens deep made headlines. Kennesaw is next in line, but not the last. Other confirmed metro Atlanta locations include:

• Sandy Springs (Roswell Road, replacing Willy’s Mexicana Grill)
• Alpharetta (Haynes Bridge Road, former Viva Chicken)
• Buford (former MOD Pizza)
• Columbus (former Willy’s)

And here’s a fun local twist: Atlanta’s own Usher is helping lead the brand’s expansion across the region!

What to Expect at Dave’s Hot Chicken

Dave’s is known for its juicy, Nashville-style hot chicken tenders and sliders, served with crinkle-cut fries, kale slaw, and their signature sauce. Heat seekers can choose from a range of spice levels—everything from No Spice to the infamous Reaper (a level so hot you need to sign a waiver).

A Growing Hot Chicken Scene in Atlanta

With hot chicken concepts like Hattie B’s, Scoville Hot Chicken, and now Dave’s rapidly expanding, it raises the question: Can so many hot chicken joints thrive in metro Atlanta? One thing’s for sure—Atlantans aren’t shying away from spice anytime soon.

Over to You

Have you tried Dave’s Hot Chicken yet? Do you think Kennesaw is ready for the heat? And where else in metro Atlanta would you like to see a Dave’s open?

Drop your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!