One of the hottest chain restaurants in the country is coming to Lexington
One of the hottest restaurant concepts in the country is about to roost in Kentucky.
And it’s part of the growing fast-casual corridor along one of the main arteries into Lexington.
Richmond Road is seeing some big changes, with the new fast-casual chicken chain moving in and a second location of a drive-through coffee kiosk coming soon too.
Dave’s Hot Chicken, which started in 2017 as a parking lot pop-up in Los Angeles and is now one of the fastest-growing fast-casual chains in the country, will be opening its first Kentucky location at 2630 Richmond Rd. later this year.
The hot chicken restaurant will go into a former Qdoba spot, which closed last year.
Dave’s Hot Chicken specializes in boneless seasoned chicken sliders served with crinkle-cut fries, slaw and pickles. You choose the heat level from no spice to “reaper.” Chicken is also available as tenders served with sliced bread and a side of Dave’s sauce.
Last September, Dave’s Hot Chicken picked up a major investor: Rapper/entertainer/basketball fan Drake,who is a fan of the food, has “a large stake,” according to co-founder Arman Oganesyan. According to the company, actor Samuel L. Jackson and Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner also are investors.
The Lexington location, which is expected to open later this year, is part of a big wave of expansion announced by the company. More than 500 locations are planned for the U.S. and Canada. A store opened in Indianapolis on April 21.
New restaurants coming to Lexington’s Richmond Road
Another chain will be opening a location nearby on Richmond Road: The Human Bean, a drive-thru coffee and tea company based in Oregon.
The new Human Bean will be at 2644 Richmond Rd., in the former home of Fayette Gallery. The property will be reconfigured to allow a drive-thru with some outdoor seating.
The first Lexington location opened on Harrodsburg Road in 2019. Franchisee Akash Hira said he expects the Richmond Road spot to open later this year.
It’s part of big changes coming to the Richmond Road restaurant row:
▪ Across the street, a new Panera with a double-lane drive-thru is going up in front of the existing Lowe’s. The new design will allow for outdoor seating, rapid ordering and contact-less ordering.
▪ Down the road, Andy’s Frozen Custard is expected to begin building its second Lexington location; the first is scheduled to open soon on South Broadway.
▪ KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot restaurant is expected to open later this year behind the LaRosa’s, Skyline Chili and First Watch restaurants just off Richmond Road in Patchen Plaza.
This story was originally published April 27, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
