CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The wait is over for local hot chicken fans as Dave’s Hot Chicken has officially opened its first Chattanooga location.

The Los Angeles-based chain, known for its signature spicy chicken tenders and sliders, opened this weekend on Gunbarrel Road.

Crowds packed the restaurant throughout the day, eager to try the brand’s range of heat levels, from mild to the infamous “Reaper.”

Founded in Los Angeles in 2017 by four friends, Dave’s Hot Chicken started in an East Hollywood parking lot before growing rapidly into a nationwide chain.

The brand has earned fans for its crispy coating, signature spices, and flavorful dipping sauces.

The new Chattanooga location is part of the chain’s ongoing expansion across the Southeast, bringing the same bold flavor and energy t

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