Staffing

Former Wendy's, Potbelly exec leading marketing at Dave's Hot Chicken

Photo: Dave's

December 8, 2025

Dave's Hot Chicken has named Brandon Rhoten as its chief marketing officer, bringing on the former Wendy's and Potbelly executive to lead the chain's marketing strategies during a period of rapid expansion.

The Los Angeles-based company announced the appointment Monday. Rhoten will oversee brand marketing, creative strategy, digital engagement and media.

Rhoten joins Dave's Hot Chicken from the advertising platform GroundTruth, where he served as chief marketing officer. Previously, he held the same title at Potbelly, where he was credited with helping reverse declining traffic by modernizing digital engagement. He also spent six years leading creative and social strategy at Wendy's.

"Dave's Hot Chicken has the exact DNA where I've historically done my best work," Rhoten said in a company press release. "It's a bold, social-led brand with great food, strong operations, and a willingness to take risks. My goal is to help bring that spirit onto bigger stages."

Bill Phelps, CEO of Dave's Hot Chicken, said Rhoten's experience in building "culturally relevant brands" will be essential as the chain grows domestically and internationally.

Founded in 2017 by Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, and Tommy and Gary Rubenyan, the company began as a parking lot pop-up in East Hollywood. It has since sold franchise rights for more than 1,020 locations in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.

The brand has attracted high-profile investors, including Drake, Usher, Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Strahan.