Carolyne Canady, COO of Dave’s Hot Chicken, recently shared her view on brand growth: expand quickly, but protect authenticity. You can read her full post here → LinkedIn Article
On paper, it sounds good. Existing franchisees doubling down. Big international partnerships with heavyweight groups like Azzurri. A clear message that development isn’t a “numbers game.”
But here’s the reality:
The Supportive Case
Franchisees reinvesting → This usually signals strong unit economics. If the people already operating stores are signing up for more, they must be seeing returns that justify it.
Azzurri partnership → Bringing a 180-unit deal across 10 European countries isn’t a mom-and-pop experiment. Azzurri runs established concepts like PizzaExpress and ASK Italian. That kind of partner can handle logistics, supply chains, and real estate challenges.
Leadership discipline → Saying “growth only matters if it still feels like you” pushes back on the common QSR playbook of growth-for-growth ’s-sake.
The Concerning Case
Where’s the data? No AUVs, no cost structures, no margin discussion. Headlines about global deals are meaningless if unit-level economics aren’t transparent.
Speed risk → 180 units sounds exciting, but execution across 10 countries is where brands trip. Local operators will face culture, labor, and supply hurdles that can erode profitability.
Authenticity at scale → “Culture and edge” are fragile. Once you’re beyond 1,000 units, the food, service, and vibe must be systematized. That’s easier said than done.
No BS Take
Dave’s is winning headlines and striking the right tone at the corporate level. But for franchisees and investors, the real question isn’t whether the brand feels edgy in 2025. It’s whether the economics hold steady at 200, 500, and 1,000 units and above.
Until those numbers are transparent, every global expansion announcement should be read as a marketing play first, financial proof second.
👉 Growth is impressive. Staying profitable is what matters.
📊 Want the deeper dive? Get our Dave’s Hot Chicken Intel Report — with Item 7 startup costs, AUV quartiles, risk signals, and investor moves.
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