Booming fast-casual chain Dave’s Hot Chicken is spreading its wings to Helotes. The buzzy franchise is opening a new restaurant at 9257 N Loop 1604 W, its debut in the rapidly growing San Antonio suburb.Unlike most fast food joints, Dave’s has some serious culinary pedigree. The concept was foun ded as a parking lot pop-up in 2017 by classically trained chef Dave Kopushyan, an alum of Thomas Keller’s acclaimed Bouchon restaurant — widely considered one of the best French restaurants in the world. But the rarified resume didn’t stop Kopushyan from scaling an accessible brand. Dave’s has mushroomed to nearly 400 global locations in less than a decade. The brand introduced itself to San Antonio in late 2022 with an outpost at 9602 Texas Hwy. 151 #108 and has since expanded to two more area locations.Dave’s is one of the most successful franchises hopping on the red-hot Nashville-style hot chicken trend. The restaurant serves halal chicken tenders and sandwiches at seven different spice levels, reaching a fiery peak with the Reaper, which requires customers to sign a waiver. The menu also includes sides such as cheese fries, kale slaw, and mac cheese. Milkshakes — available plain or with Fruity Pebbles or Oreo toppers — help keep the burn at bayAlthough the menu may not be groundbreaking, its A-list roster of investors has made it a media darling. The chain counts rapper Drake, actor Samuel L. Jackson, former NFL player and TV host Michael Strahan, former California First Lady Maria Shriver, producer and Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner, and RB singer Usher among its backers.Like its sibling locations, the Helotes outpost will presumably be decorated with a graffiti mural from Los Angeles-based collective Splatter Haus. Each unit has site-specific artwork — like a painting in Schertz that nods to the “Battle of 3009” Clemens and Steele High School rivalry.According to new state regulatory filings, Helotes’ first Dave's will wrap up work on the 2,882-square-foot in November. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation timelines are subject to change and rarely reflect actual openings. ...read more read less