Queues gathered outside Liverpool’s newest chicken shop on Lord Street on Friday, July 17, as Dave’s Hot Chicken made its debut in the city. The brand, which has expanded to over 300 locations in the United States and six sites across England, opened to the public at 12pm, with fans lining up for a taste of its famous sliders.
Free Giveaways and Long Queues
Last week, ahead of the opening, the team gave away 400 free items to eager customers. On the top of Bold Street, under scorching heat, fans waited up to two hours to get their hands on the sliders. On opening day, a further 200 free items were given to those first in line. When the ECHO arrived an hour before opening, only two teenagers were in the queue, but it quickly swelled to over 30 people within 20 minutes.
Keyana Mohammadi, Director of Marketing at Dave’s Hot Chicken UK, said: “Liverpool is a city that knows how to make an impression. It’s bold, vibrant and full of personality - qualities that sit at the heart of everything we do at Dave’s Hot Chicken. We’ve had our sights set on Liverpool for some time, and we can’t wait to introduce our crave-worthy hot chicken to a city that’s famous for embracing great food, great experiences and a great night out. Bringing Dave’s Hot Chicken to Liverpool is a huge moment for us. As we continue to grow across the UK, we’re excited to become part of the city’s thriving hospitality scene, create new opportunities locally and give Liverpool a taste of the brand that’s taken the world by storm.”
Location and Menu
The new restaurant is located on Lord Street, in the Liverpool ONE complex, replacing a former Poundland store. It sits just a few metres from chicken shop rivals KFC, Popeyes, and Wingstop, cementing the area’s reputation as Liverpool’s ‘chicken street’. The venue offers fast-casual dining, with fresh-to-order chicken tenders and sliders served across the brand’s seven-level spice scale, ranging from Not Hot to the infamous Reaper level, which requires a signed waiver.
Alongside its signature chicken, the Liverpool menu features classic sides including mac & cheese, kale slaw, loaded fries, and brand new saucy bites, as well as a range of loaded shakes and fruity slushes.
Expansion and Local Impact
Dave’s Hot Chicken has expanded rapidly since its founding, with over 300 locations in the US and six existing sites in England, including London, Sheffield, Birmingham, Stevenage, and Shaftesbury. The Liverpool opening marks the brand’s first venture into the North West. Brendan Hattam, Centre Director at Liverpool ONE, said: “There’s been a lot of buzz around Dave’s Hot Chicken arriving at Liverpool ONE and we’re excited for it to open its doors. This new arrival will help strengthen the range of food on-the-go options for our visitors.”
