Staffing

Dave's Hot Chicken hires CMO, CTO

July 14, 2023

Los Angeles-basedDave's Hot Chicken has hired Chief Marketing Officer Brad Haley and Chief Technology Officer Leon Davoyan to help fuel growth plans.

Haley joins Dave's Hot Chicken having most recently led marketing initiatives for IHOP, including overseeing the "IHOb" campaign that garnered nationwide attention for the 1800-unit chain. Prior to leading marketing at IHOP, Haley spearheaded campaigns for CKE Restaurants, the parent company of over 3,000 Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurants. At CKE, he introduced menu items and launched ads starring celebrities Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian.

"Dave's Hot Chicken has taken the fast casual segment by storm, and it's an incredibly fun place to work," Haley said in a company press release. "Our founders created a brand that has had a cult-like following since day one. My goal is to help guide our transition from rapidly growing start-up to a successful, established chain, while maintaining the magic and — literally, in this case — the secret sauce that got us this far."

Most recently, Davoyan was with Kitchen United, a ghost kitchen company, where he implemented new technology initiatives, optimized opening protocols and standardized IT systems. Prior to KU, he built his career by helping scale and grow emerging new brands like Pinkberry, Veggie Grill and Blaze Pizza. In his role with Dave's Hot Chicken, he is focused on building its technology infrastructure to help supercharge growth as well as harnessing tech tools to maximize the company's marketing and operations initiatives through streamlining third-party delivery, enhancing the brand's mobile app and strengthening day-to-day restaurant operations systems.

"Dave's Hot Chicken is in high growth mode, and I'm thrilled to be part of the team working to create solutions and strengthen our technology foundation for the benefit of our franchisees and guests," Davoyan said in the release. It's an amazing opportunity to work with a group of such talented individuals who are so passionate about restaurants and who understand how important technology is in today's restaurant environment."