Dave's Hot Chicken is making its Schertz debut, bringing its spicy tenders and sliders to the I-35 corridor. Franchisee Paul Gorman says construction is in the home stretch on the new Schertz shop, and he already has additional Texas openings lined up for next year. The restaurant will slot into the Schertz Station retail cluster and is designed to feed both interstate commuters and local families, as reported by WhatNow.
Gorman told WhatNow that crews began work this summer and are now finishing interior details, and he described himself as "a very big fan of the product." His regular order is the No. 4 combo, a single slider with medium fries and a drink, and he said this Schertz opening will be his third Dave's location as an operator. He also told the outlet he plans to open at least two more Dave's spots next year.
Where and When
The Schertz restaurant is listed at 18476 I-35 N inside the Schertz Station development, with local coverage pointing to a late November opening. According to Community Impact, the address and target timetable appeared in the site's tenant notes. The new location is also showing up on hiring and delivery platforms, with a Harri jobs page and a Postmates storefront both listing the I-35 address, suggesting staff are being brought on and that orders will be accepted soon.
Buildout and permits
Early filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation detailed an interior buildout of roughly $400,000 and indicated an early 2025 start for construction, according to local reporting. Express-News reviewed the TDLR paperwork and laid out the proposed scope of work, while MySA has tracked how several Dave's projects across Central Texas have moved through permitting and buildout this year. Those records, paired with visible construction on site, indicate the Schertz timeline shifted as the project moved from the permit stage to active construction.
Menu and spice levels
The Schertz shop is expected to offer the chain's core lineup of hand-breaded tenders and sliders, along with sides such as house-made kale slaw, creamy mac 'n' cheese and seasoned fries, mirroring the brand's standard menu. Dave's Hot Chicken lists that spread on its website, and corporate materials highlight seven spice levels that range from No Spice to Reaper. The Reaper level requires a signed waiver, according to company releases. The franchisee also told WhatNow the Schertz location will carry a limited-time item called "Saucy Bites" that uses a housemade sauce.
What this growth means locally
Dave's has been scaling quickly, with private equity backing and franchise agreements helping push the brand past roughly 300 locations worldwide, according to CNBC. That national momentum has translated into multiple Texas openings this year and a growing pipeline of Central Texas sites, making multi-unit plays like Gorman's more appealing for operators. In Schertz, landing a national fast-casual name on the I-35 corridor is an attempt to capture both commuter traffic and the later-night business that Dave's typically attracts.
Hiring and delivery listings show the operation is edging toward service. A Harri posting lists front- and back-of-house positions tied to the Schertz address, and a storefront menu is already live on Postmates, signals that the restaurant is close to fully opening or may be testing a soft service period. Harri shows multiple shifts and roles attached to the 18476 I-35 site, which is typical in the final weeks before a launch. Expect standard Dave's hours and occasional app-based promotions once the store is fully up and running.
The Schertz Dave's adds a national name to a growing retail node and gives local diners and I-35 drivers another late-night and family-friendly option, according to local reporting. Community Impact frames the opening as part of Schertz Station's continued buildout, and Gorman's plan for more units next year suggests this stretch of I-35 is likely to see additional Dave's activity in the months ahead.
