Listen to this articleDave’s Hot Chicken is launching its first restaurant in Mercer County.
Located at 770 Route 33 in Hamilton, the fast-growing spicy chicken chain is scheduled to open Oct. 3.
Founded eight years ago as a parking lot pop-up in West Hollywood, the brand is known for Nashville-style hot chicken sliders and tenders with adjustable spice levels. It also offers sides, such as mac & cheese, kale slaw and cheese fries.
With financial backers including celebrity fans Drake, Maria Shriver, Michael Strahan and Samuel L. Jackson, Dave’s Hot Chicken has grown to more than 300 locations across the U.S., Canada, Qatar and Dubai. As part of a larger expansion effort, Dave’s Hot Chicken reportedly expects to add an additional 150 restaurants by the end of 2025.
After its local debut three years ago in Wayne, the franchise has added spots in Kearny, Secaucus, Cherry Hill, Sicklerville, Union, Ocean Township, Paramus and East Brunswick. Under several multi-unit development deals, Dave’s Hot Chicken expects continued growth in New Jersey over the next few years.
In Hamilton, the chain will take over a building previously occupied by Boston Market. Since 2022, the formerly popular rotisserie chicken chain has shuttered 95% of its locations nationwide due to unpaid rent or utility bills.
Dave’s Hot Chicken in Hamilton:
On the Market
Prior to filing for bankruptcy in 1998 amid growing debt issues, Boston Market had more than 1,200 restaurants. Since then, the now private equity-owned brand has faced growing competition, inflationary pressures and financial problems that led to dozens of lawsuits from vendors, employees and management in multiple states.
In August 2023 the state ordered all locations closed after discovering Boston Market owed more than $630,000 in back pay to 314 employees. At the time, the chain had 27 restaurants across New Jersey. After the company paid a fine of nearly $2.6 million, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development lifted the stop-work order the following month.
Of the 20 remaining restaurants, four are in New Jersey:
- Hackensack
- Lodi
- Union
- Deptford
Hamilton isn’t the only former Boston Market site that’s recently found a second life.
In August, a co-branded restaurant featuring Wayback Burgers and a brand-new pizza concept opened its inaugural U.S. spot in Emerson. The 2,300-square-foot location continues Wayback Burgers’ in-state expansion and marks the first Molte Pizze location.
