Dave’s Hot Chicken has quickly become the talk of the town in Conyers, Georgia, with lines stretching around the block as eager customers flock to the newly-opened restaurant. Located at 1447 Hwy 138 SE, this is the world-renowned Nashville-style phenomenon’s inaugural Georgia location and it’s co-owned by multi-platinum global superstar Usher, who brought his signature flair to the festivities. His business partners, Lawrence Kourie and Andrew Feghali, are among Dave’s Hot Chicken’s most seasoned franchisees.
During the grand opening on Thursday, August 29th, at 9:00 PM, the sky over Conyers lit up with a spectacular drone show, courtesy of SkyElements. Approximately 800 drones depicted Dave’s Hot Chicken’s remarkable journey from its humble beginnings in a small East Hollywood parking lot to becoming an international favorite.
Although Usher was not in attendance, as he is currently headlining his highly anticipated ‘Past Present Future Tour,’ his influence was still strongly felt in Conyers, a vibrant community just outside of Atlanta. Usher, with his deep connection to the Atlanta metro area, which includes Conyers as part of the larger community, was excited to bring his success back to his roots. As a longtime fan of Dave’s Hot Chicken, he was beyond thrilled to bring the Los Angeles-based hot chicken brand to his hometown. “After trying Dave’s Hot Chicken and connecting with the founders, I knew this was something special,” Usher shared. “Seeing my community come out and enjoy it tonight has been incredibly rewarding.” In a statement posted prior on Instagram, Usher said, “Dave’s Hot Chicken is some of the best hot chicken I’ve ever had. I’m excited to be involved with the brand and bring Dave’s delicious tenders and sliders to people across Atlanta.”
Throughout the evening, guests indulged in the brand’s signature Hot Chicken Sliders and Tenders, accompanied by house-made Kale Slaw, creamy Mac & Cheese, and crispy seasoned French Fries. The food, available in spice levels ranging from No Spice to the fiery Reaper®, did not disappoint. The grand opening also featured the introduction of Dave’s Bites, a new menu item that offered the same bold flavors in a more snackable form. Guests were quick to praise the Bites for their perfect blend of heat and juiciness.
“Dave’s Hot Chicken has continued to gain momentum across the country, and tonight’s event in Georgia was a testament to that,” said Bill Phelps, CEO of Dave’s Hot Chicken. “Partnering with Usher to bring this experience to his hometown has been an absolute thrill.”
The Los-Angeles based franchise opened in 2017 and has drawn the attention of celebrity investors like Drake, former California First Lady Maria Shriver, actor Samuel L. Jackson, “Good Morning America” anchor Michael Strahan, and, most recently, Usher. What started with three childhood friends, Chef Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, and Tommy Rubenyan, launching a pop-up with just $900, has now blossomed into a company that has sold the rights to over 700 franchise locations in the U.S., Middle East, and Canada.
Following the grand opening, attendees to Conyers were advised to “bring patience,” as the excitement around the newly opened restaurant led to lines so long that it took up to two hours for some to get their hands on the famous hot chicken.
