Hotboys and Dave's Hot Chicken preparing to open spots soon in Fountain Square, Mass Ave.
The Indianapolis area is about to get an infusion of hot chicken restaurants.
World Famous Hotboys, the Oakland California-based startup chain, looks to open in mid-May, and Dave’s Hot Chicken, a Los Angeles brand, will see the first of its nearly a dozen planned local stores open on Mass Ave. later this month.
World Famous Hotboys, 1004 Virginia Ave.
World Famous Hotboys, which last year bought the building that housed Peppy Grill for generations in Fountain Square, had initially planned to open in September 2021 to serve what Yelp hailed as the best fried chicken sandwich in California, along with wings, loaded crinkle-cut fries and boozy frozen chocolate drinks. Permitting held up the project though, owners said.
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Co-founders Victor Ghaben and DJ and visual artist Berk Gibbs, are partnering with local restaurant manager Aaron Tann and Kyle Roberts, executive chef at Four Day Ray Brewing on the restaurant.
The property is in a locally protected historic area.
Hotboys on Thursday changed the landmark Peppy sign to reflect the new era at 1004 Virginia Ave.
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Dave's Hot Chicken, 530 Massachusetts Ave.
Meanwhile folks can begin ordering from Dave’s Hot Chicken at 530 Massachusetts Ave. later this month.
The Hot Dave's franchisee team also runs Pizza Hut of Fort Wayne, which has 45 locations in northeast and central Indiana.
Dave’s Hot Chicken started as a popup, founded by chef Dave Kopushyan and three friends in 2017, and specializes in Nashville hot chicken tenders and sliders. The chicken comes in multiple heat levels, from “no spice” to “reaper.” The restaurants also serve mac and cheese, crispy fries and cheese fries.
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Eleven stores are planned for the Indianapolis area, including a Broad Ripple Avenue location opening this summer and another near 86th Street and Michigan Street in late 2022 or early 2023, said Tyler Freeland, part of the Fort Wayne-based group along with Todd Hollman and Matt Fortney.
Freeland's grandfather founded Pizza Hut of Fort Wayne in 1972, which had stores in Fishers, Westfield and Noblesvile.
Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at [email protected] or 317-444-6264. Follow her on Twitter: @cherylvjackson.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Hotboys and Dave's Hot Chicken prep to open Indianapolis restaurants
