Usher Opens Georgia’s First Dave’s Hot Chicken Restaurant: ‘I’m Excited’

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Usher is bringing Dave’s Hot Chicken to his hometown. The R&B star launched the restaurant’s first Georgia location in Conyers, a suburb of Atlanta, on Thursday (Aug. 30).

Although Usher didn’t attend the grand opening (he’s currently on tour), the celebration included a drone show put together by Sky Elements. Usher owns the restaurant along with his franchise partners Lawrence Kourie and Andrew Feghali, two of the longest-tenured Dave’s Hot Chicken franchisees.

“Once I tried Dave’s Hot Chicken and spoke with the founders of the brand, I knew I wanted to be involved with the company,” Usher said in a statement. “I’m excited to open Atlanta’s first Dave’s Hot Chicken and look forward to everyone from my hometown trying it.”

“Dave’s Hot Chicken continues to gain traction from coast-to-coast, from our passionate guests to international superstars,” added CEO Bill Phelps. “Our focus remains on making the most craveable, hottest and juiciest hot chicken on the planet, and we’re thrilled to partner with Usher to bring Dave’s to Georgia.”

The grand opening featured a live DJ and free food. Dave’s Hot Chicken’s menu includes Hot Chicken Sliders and Hot Chicken Tenders available in seven spice levels ranging from no spice to Reaper, the hottest level, in addition to Kale Slaw, creamy macaroni and cheese and crispy, seasoned crinkle fries. The brand also recently launched Dave’s Bites available in no spice, medium and hot.

Dave’s Hot Chicken is available for delivery on DoorDash, GrubHub and Uber Eats.

“The number one thing is the chicken is so good,” Dave’s Hot Chicken president Jim Bitticks told Billboard at the grand opening. “And the spice, it’s I don’t know how to describe it, other than to say that it’s really balanced. Sometimes you try something that’s spicy and there’s too much of this or not enough of that. [Dave’s Hot Chicken] it’s perfect, right in the middle.”

“The founders grew up eating a lot of In-N-Out Burger, so the inspiration for Dave’s is In-N-Out meets Howlin Rays [Hot Chicken],” Bitticks continued.

Dave’s co-founder Arman Oganesyan was also in attendance alongside Phelps and Conyers Store Owner Lawrence Kourie.

Meanwhile, it’s been a busy month for Usher who launched his Past, Present and Future tour in Washington D.C. last week. The tour stops in Philadelphia tonight and tomorrow, followed by two nights in Toronto, Canada starting on Sept. 2.