Printworks Manchester has recorded one of its busiest weeks since its £27M transformation in 2024, with visitor numbers soaring 37.2 per cent compared to the same week last year following the arrival of US cult favourite, Dave’s Hot Chicken.
The LA-born brand’s launch marked its first North West location and only its second UK site outside of London, drawing thousands of fans for a week-long celebration that blended high-impact experiential marketing with bold, venue-wide digital takeovers.
Occupying a newly refurbished 8,248sq ft unit, the restaurant has created over 100 jobs and offers seating for more than 90 guests. Its interiors combine bold, street-style visuals inspired by LA roots with the vibrant atmosphere of Printworks, joining a dining line-up that includes Hard Rock Café, Nando’s, Wagamama and more.
Keyana Mohammadi, Head of Marketing at Dave’s Hot Chicken UK & Ireland, said: “We’re delighted to bring Dave’s Hot Chicken to Printworks, an iconic location that matches our bold flavours and energetic vibe. This is just the beginning – we have big plans to expand across Greater Manchester and the North of England before the end of the year.”
Pre-launch activity commenced in late July with a high-impact pop-up teaser event, serving over 400 free sliders in just 90 minutes and attracting substantial footfall within Printworks. The brand takeover extended to Europe’s largest digital ceiling, with bespoke content delivering full venue immersion in the Dave’s Hot Chicken experience from point of entry.
Dan Davis, Centre Manager at Printworks, added: “Dave’s Hot Chicken’s arrival marks another exciting milestone for Printworks as we continue to strengthen our reputation as one of Manchester’s leading leisure destinations. It’s bold, experiential launch has clearly captured the attention of our visitors, delivering one of the biggest single-week uplifts we’ve seen since our £27m refurbishment. Following this success, we’re looking forward to welcoming more high-profile names to the venue.”
