Dave’s Hot Chicken opened its first location in Jeddah at U Walk. This is the brand’s debut in the city and its fifth outlet in Saudi Arabia.
The opening forms part of the brand’s wider growth across the Kingdom, led by Lavoya Restaurants Group, as it continues to scale its presence in lifestyle-driven dining destinations.
The move into Jeddah reflects what Lavoya sees as sustained demand for global concepts that combine strong brand identity with adaptable formats.
Najib Yaacoub, chief operating officer at Lavoya Restaurants Group, explains: “What’s driven our expansion in Saudi Arabia is a combination of strong consumer demand for diverse international food experiences and the Kingdom’s broader economic transformation under Saudi Vision 2030.
“This opening in Jeddah marks our first-ever location in the city and our fifth across the Kingdom. Dave’s has been very well received by Saudi diners, which is evident in the strong performance of our existing branches.
“Local diners have embraced our Nashville-style hot chicken and the ability to customise spice levels, showing a clear appetite for bold, flavour-forward dining experiences.”
The move beyond Riyadh places Jeddah within the brand’s next phase of expansion.
Yaacoub says: “Jeddah is one of Saudi Arabia’s most dynamic and culturally influential cities. As a historic port city with a diverse population and a vibrant social scene, it’s a natural fit for a brand like Dave’s that thrives on community energy and flavour innovation.
“The city’s evolving lifestyle landscape, from waterfront developments to new dining and entertainment districts, makes it an ideal market for our expansion.”
At the centre of the concept is a menu built around Nashville-style hot chicken, with a focus on bold flavours and adjustable spice levels.
Yaacoub notes: “Saudi Arabia has a long-standing appreciation for spices and bold flavours, deeply rooted in traditional dishes such as kabsa, jareesh and harees. This cultural foundation makes expressive, flavour-led dishes especially appealing to local diners.
“Alongside this, consumer preferences are shifting, influenced by global culinary exposure and urban dining culture. This is reflected in the growth of sauces, seasonings and spicy condiments across the Kingdom, as diners explore a broader spectrum of flavour profiles.
“By allowing guests to tailor their spice level, from mild right through to Reaper™, Dave’s Hot Chicken is well positioned to respond to this growing demand.”
As the brand expands, the focus remains on balancing consistency with relevance to the local market.
The COO explains: “Balancing Dave’s Hot Chicken’s original identity with local market expectations is about preserving what makes the brand unmistakably Dave’s, its bold, crave-worthy flavours, hand-crafted Nashville-style chicken and vibrant dining experience, while making it relevant for Saudi diners.
