Popular hot chicken chain plans new Triangle restaurant. When it will open

A popular hot chicken chain is expanding its footprint in the Triangle.

Dave’s Hot Chicken is expected to open its fourth restaurant in the area this year.

Located in west Cary, the hot chicken spot will be owned by franchisee Russell Hansen, who is also behind the chain’s Raleigh restaurant.

Dave’s is expected to open in the third quarter of this year, the restaurant told The News & Observer in an email.

It will be at 4675 N.C. 55 in Alston Town Center.

Triangle Business Journal first reported this news.

The development is home to retailers including Whole Foods Market, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Hollywood Feed.

Life Time, the Minnesota-based fitness chain, just opened a new facility at the development. It includes indoor and outdoor pools, steam rooms, saunas, cold plunges and indoor pickleball courts.

The salad chain Sweetgreen will also open a new restaurant at Alston Town Center. The company has not announced an opening date.

Dave’s Hot Chicken menu

The Cary location will join existing Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurants in the Triangle in Raleigh, Wake Forest and Holly Springs. There are four other North Carolina locations in Charlotte and Greensboro.

Customers can order hand-breaded tenders and sliders, along with boneless bites. Chicken is available in a range of spice levels, from no spice to “Reaper,” which is extremely hot.

A slider with fries costs $10, and a meal with two tenders and fries costs $13. A tenders and slider combo with fries is priced at $14. Boneless bites start at $9.

On the side, Dave’s serves mac and cheese, plain or cheese fries and kale slaw, most priced around $4.

This story was originally published February 12, 2026 at 4:23 PM.

Renee Umsted

The News & Observer

202-383-6008

Renee Umsted is The News & Observer’s Affordability Reporter. She writes about what it costs to live in the Triangle, with a consumer-focused approach. She has a degree in journalism from TCU.