The restaurant, co-owned by Drake, is famed for its hot chicken sliders and will boast an interior inspired by Manchester’s rave scene
Dave’s Hot Chicken is to open in Manchester at The Printworks in August 2025(Image: Dave’s Hot Chicken)
Cult American fried chicken restaurant Dave’s Hot Chicken has announced it is to open its first Manchester venue this summer.
The L.A. fried chicken brand, backed by music icon Drake, recently opened its first store in London.
It sparked massive demand and huge queues right down Shaftesbury Avenue for its hot chicken dishes and bold flavours.
Now, the expanding restaurant group has announced it will open its third UK venue in Manchester this August.
It’s known for its fried chicken and epic sides(Image: Dave’s Hot Chicken)
The location for the eatery will be inside The Printworks entertainment complex in Manchester city centre.
The Manchester site’s menu will be the same as Dave’s Hot Chicken’s flagship site in London, including Dave’s signature Sliders, Tenders, Top-loaded Shakes and Slushers.
Dave’s is known for its signature Nashville-style hot chicken – which you can get served in seven spice levels from “No Spice” to “Reaper” – as well as its “next level” milkshakes.
And bosses have revealed the interior will be inspired by “Manchester’s rave scene” featuring an “industrial design”.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is heading to The Printworks(Image: Manchester Evening News)
A statement from the brand said: “Located in Printworks Manchester, the fiery new spot will have 139 covers and reside alongside a cinema, clubs and eateries. Whether visiting for a film, a night out or a bite with friends, Dave’s is set to become Manchester’s hottest new food obsession.
“The space will take its cue from Manchester’s iconic warehouse rave scene with an industrial design – think towering ceilings, exposed steelwork, and laser lights. It’ll be a full on sensory trip, where music, light and fried chicken will come together to create a high-voltage experience.
“Adding to the edge whilst nodding to the brand’s L.A. roots, the space will be brought to life with bold, custom graffiti inspired by legendary L.A.-based street artists Splatterhaus and Dehmq – whose work has become a signature across all Dave’s locations.
“Their work combines the dynamic spirit of Los Angeles with Manchester’s raw, creative vibe, transporting guests into a whole new world of fried chicken indulgence.”
Mouth-watering fried food(Image: Dave’s Hot Chicken)
Manchester marks a major milestone in the brand’s UK journey, following the successful debut in London’s Shaftesbury Avenue, which still sees hour-long queues months past opening.
Birmingham is set to open in July, ahead of Manchester, amid plans for a nationwide expansion of the brand with the aim of becoming “the hottest name in fast-casual dining”.
Jim Attwood, Managing Director of Dave’s Hot Chicken UK, said: “Printworks Manchester is the ideal setting for our next UK site – right at the heart of one of the country’s most exciting cities.
“The new restaurant pays homage to Manchester’s legendary warehouse rave scene, with an industrial-inspired design and bold, high-energy atmosphere to match our signature flavours. We can’t wait to bring something fresh to this iconic venue and its vibrant mix of entertainment, food and culture”.
The brand was created in 2017 by three childhood friends, Chef Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan and Tommy Rubenyan, who scraped together $900 to launch Dave’s Hot Chicken in a parking lot, portable fryers and folding tables in tow.
Drake came on board as an investor on Dave’s Hot Chicken after trying the food(Image: Getty Images)
It quickly took off, opening an East Hollywood brick-and-mortar restaurant shortly after, with support from Tommy’s brother, Gary.
In 2019, the team struck a deal with Wetzel’s Pretzels co-founder and former CEO, Bill Phelps, to begin franchising the Dave’s Hot Chicken concept, with Billboard’s Artist of the Decade, Drake, investing in the brand as well.
The company has sold the rights to more than 1,000 franchise locations in the U.S., Middle East and Canada and will open 80-plus locations this year. Harkening back to an Eater LA blog that helped propel early interest in the brand, the company’s mission is to “blow your minds.”