Spice-seeking diners on San Antonio's northwest side will have a new option on the horizon. Dave's Hot Chicken is set to open a new outpost in Helotes, taking over a 2,882-square-foot space at 9257 N Loop 1604 W and converting the existing retail unit into a full restaurant. The Helotes shop is slated to join the chain's growing presence across the Alamo City.
Local reporting pegs the renovation and tenant finish-out at an estimated construction budget of about $525,000, with work expected to begin this summer and wrap up by early November, according to San Antonio Current. The site sits along a busy stretch of Loop 1604 on the northwest side of the city, positioning the future restaurant along a heavily trafficked corridor.
What the filing shows
Project paperwork filed with state regulators describes the Helotes unit as a 2,882-square-foot renovation and tenant finish-out and lists Larsh Family Holdings LLC as the ownership entity, according to What Now San Antonio. The same filing identifies Paul Gorman as the tenant representing Dave's Hot Chicken San Antonio operations.
The documents also spell out a detailed schedule, with construction slated to start on July 27, 2026, and completion anticipated on November 5, 2026, What Now San Antonio reports.
Local franchise footprint
Gorman is part of a franchise group that previously signed on to bring multiple Dave's locations to the San Antonio market, according to CultureMap San Antonio. Franchise partners John and Jason Hotchkiss were also named in those early agreements, with operators stating they planned several stores across the city. The Helotes address would add a northwest-side option to that lineup.
Brand momentum
Dave's Hot Chicken has been expanding rapidly, with the chain opening eight restaurants in a single day in April and now operating roughly 400 locations worldwide, according to Fast Casual. The concept started as a Los Angeles pop-up in 2017 and is now headquartered in Pasadena, California, per Wikipedia. The Helotes fit-out is the latest indication that the brand is targeting fast-casual opportunities in Texas suburbs.
No official opening date has been announced yet; What Now San Antonio reports that the outlet reached out to Paul Gorman for comment and had not heard back at the time of publication. Local updates are expected to follow as permitting moves ahead and the fit-out progresses.
