Selling a Dave’s Hot Chicken Franchise

Franchise Resale & M&A Advisory for Dave’s Hot Chicken Franchise Owners

By Mercedes Shaffer, Managing Director | Highwater Partners

Selling a Dave’s Hot Chicken franchise is a high-profile, fast-moving transaction that requires brand-specific expertise, disciplined valuation, and maximum buyer exposure. As one of the fastest-growing restaurant franchise brands in the U.S., Dave’s Hot Chicken attracts intense buyer interest—making professional M&A representation critical to managing demand, protecting value, and ensuring a successful close.

At Highwater Partners, we specialize in franchise resale and M&A advisory for franchise owners, representing Dave’s Hot Chicken franchisees nationwide. We advise owners on single-unit sales, multi-unit portfolio exits, and strategic divestitures, delivering a structured, professional process designed to maximize value and transaction certainty.

Why Selling a Dave’s Hot Chicken Franchise Requires Specialized M&A Expertise

Dave’s Hot Chicken operates within a growth-oriented, performance-driven franchise system that includes:

• Franchisor approval and controlled transfer processes

• Buyer experience, net worth, and liquidity requirements

• Scrutiny of unit-level performance and growth trajectory

• Lease assignment, landlord consent, and site economics

• Evaluation of development agreements and expansion rights

These elements directly impact valuation, buyer eligibility, and deal timelines. A general business broker may understand restaurants—but a franchise M&A advisor understands Dave’s Hot Chicken.

How Dave’s Hot Chicken Franchises Are Valued

Dave’s Hot Chicken franchise valuations are driven by cash flow strength, growth momentum, and scalability, not revenue alone.

Core Valuation Drivers

• Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE) or EBITDA

• Trailing twelve-month and historical financial performance

• Unit-level margins and same-store sales trends

• Lease terms, rent ratios, and remaining option periods

• Management depth versus owner involvement

• Brand compliance and future capital requirements

At Highwater Partners, we apply M&A-grade financial normalization and valuation methodologies, ensuring pricing is credible to sophisticated franchise buyers, lenders, and private equity investors.

Who Is Buying Dave’s Hot Chicken Franchises Today

Active buyers for Dave’s Hot Chicken franchises include:

• Existing Dave’s Hot Chicken franchisees expanding territory

• Large multi-unit, multi-brand QSR operators

• Private equity–backed franchise platforms

• Strategic buyers seeking high-growth chicken concepts

Through maximum listing exposure and targeted outreach, we ensure sellers reach the most qualified and motivated buyers nationwide.

Maximum Exposure Through a National Buyer & Broker Network

Highwater Partners is a national business brokerage and M&A advisory firm representing franchise owners and independent multi-unit operators across restaurants, wellness, fitness, beauty, and pet services. Led by a team of elite business brokers and franchise M&A professionals, the firm delivers maximum listing exposure, disciplined valuation, and transaction management at the highest level.

Highwater Partners delivers broad, national exposure through:

• A proprietary database of 100,000+ qualified franchisees and private equity investors

• A nationwide network of 110+ professional business brokers across the U.S.

• Direct outreach to active, brand-aligned Dave’s Hot Chicken buyers

• Professionally prepared marketing materials designed for institutional review

This approach creates competitive buyer demand, stronger negotiating leverage, and higher certainty of close, while maintaining strict confidentiality throughout the process.

Why Dave’s Hot Chicken Franchise Owners Choose Highwater Partners

Dave’s Hot Chicken franchise owners choose Highwater Partners because we provide:

• Top-tier professionals with deep franchise and M&A experience

• Brand-specific Dave’s Hot Chicken resale expertise

• Institutional-quality valuation and deal preparation

• Maximum listing exposure across national buyer channels

• Proven execution on complex, high-growth franchise transactions

• Professional, discreet representation from start to finish

We are consistently selected by franchise owners seeking the best firm to sell a Dave’s Hot Chicken franchise, not a generalist brokerage.

Our Dave’s Hot Chicken Franchise Resale Process

1. Confidential Valuation & Exit Strategy Assessment

2. Professional CIM & Transaction Packaging

3. Maximum Buyer Exposure & Targeted Outreach

4. Buyer Qualification & Franchisor Coordination

5. Offer Negotiation & Deal Structuring

6. Transaction Management Through Closing

Each step is designed to protect value, manage buyer demand, and drive optimal outcomes.

When Is the Right Time to Sell a Dave’s Hot Chicken Franchise?

The strongest sale outcomes typically occur when:

• Cash flow is strong and trending upward

• Financials are clean and defensible

• Lease terms support buyer financing

• Management systems are established

• Buyer demand for Dave’s Hot Chicken franchises is active

Strategic preparation often has a greater impact than market timing.

Speak with a Franchise M&A Advisor

If you are considering selling your Dave’s Hot Chicken franchise—now or in the future—we recommend beginning with a confidential consultation to discuss valuation, timing, and exit strategy.

Mercedes Shaffer

Managing Director | Highwater Partners

Franchise Resale & M&A Business Brokerage

Cell: 714.330.9999

Email: mercedes@highwater.partners

Website: www.highwater.partners