Three friends launched a chicken finger stand in an LA parking lot with just $900 and it’s now worth nearly $1 billion.
Arman Oganesyan, Dave Kopushyan, and Tommy Rubenyan founded Dave’s Hot Chicken in 2017 as a pop-up in a Los Angeles parking lot. They pooled their savings to start the business, despite having no restaurant or business experience.
The trio spent months perfecting their Nashville hot chicken recipe, drawing inspiration from popular LA restaurant Howlin’ Ray’s. They faced initial skepticism from Kopushyan, who initially told Oganesyan that he didn’t even like chicken. However, they persisted and eventually landed investors to help them expand the business.
With a franchise now spanning over 300 locations globally, Dave’s Hot Chicken has become a successful brand, attracting high-profile investors such as Samuel L. Jackson and Red Sox owner Tom Werner. The company’s valuation is expected to reach $1.2 billion this year.
The friends’ journey from a small parking lot business to a global franchise is a testament to their determination and innovative spirit. As CEO Bill Phelps said on CNBC, “It’s insane what we did… A high school dropout but a marketing genius.”
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/04/daves-hot-chicken-started-with-just-900its-now-worth-around-1b.html