Dave’s Hot Chicken has strengthened its executive team with the appointment of Brandon Rhoten as Chief Marketing Officer. The Pasadena-based fast-casual chain, known for its Nashville-style spicy chicken, aims to leverage Rhoten’s extensive experience in brand marketing to support its ongoing domestic and international growth. The move underscores the company’s commitment to deepening customer engagement while expanding its footprint in an increasingly competitive market.
Rhoten brings a wealth of experience from previous roles at GroundTruth, Potbelly, and Wendy’s. At GroundTruth, he led initiatives that increased traffic for multiple restaurant brands through innovative, data-driven marketing campaigns. At Potbelly, he revitalized the brand’s digital presence and customer engagement, while his six years overseeing creative and social strategy at Wendy’s sharpened the fast-food chain’s digital voice and consumer connection.
“From the moment I started working with the Dave’s team, I knew the brand was something special,” Rhoten said. He emphasized that Dave’s Hot Chicken combines bold flavors with strong operational foundations and marketing potential. His initial priorities include developing creative strategies, identifying core traffic drivers, and building test-and-learn programs to enhance customer experiences both in-store and online.
Bill Phelps, CEO of Dave’s Hot Chicken, welcomed Rhoten to the leadership team, calling him a “world-class addition.” Phelps noted that Rhoten’s expertise will be central as the company scales and continues to expand into new markets. The CEO emphasized that maintaining the brand’s unique identity will remain a priority while pursuing ambitious growth goals.
Fans of Dave’s Hot Chicken can look forward to an elevated experience as Rhoten applies his marketing acumen to enhance the brand’s engagement and visibility. From the chain’s signature spicy chicken offerings to its social media presence, the company aims to strengthen its connection with loyal customers while attracting new audiences. Rhoten’s leadership signals a forward-looking chapter for the fast-casual brand and sets the stage for future growth.
