You must sign a waiver to eat spiciest chicken at chain coming to Westport, Johnson Co.

Earlier this year, a new franchisee for California-based Dave’s Hot Chicken said it planned to open 15 locations in the region with the focus on the Kansas City metro, as well as Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska.

Now they have two area restaurants in the works.

One, at 4121 Broadway in Westport, is scheduled to open in the late first quarter of 2023.

Another, at 9097 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park, is scheduled to open in mid-2023. The franchisee also is looking in Lee’s Summit and Liberty.

The rapidly growing chain was founded as a parking lot pop-up in 2017 by classically trained chef Dave Kopushyan and three friends, and it soon drew long lines. It currently has 81 fast-casual restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. It is scheduled to open nearly 100 additional locations in 2023.

Dave’s Hot Chicken specializes in Nashville-style hot chicken tenders and sliders, with spice levels ranging from “No Spice” to “Reaper” (which requires customers to sign a release of claims waiver). Sides include kale slaw, macaroni and cheese, fries and cheese fries. It also has milkshakes.

Brothers Dave, Curt, Mike and Gary Staab of Spicybros Chicken LLC in Nebraska are the new regional franchisees focusing on Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. They are seeking sites of about 2,000 to 3,000 square feet — end-caps of shopping centers or strip centers and freestanding locations, with drive-thru options a plus.

The Staab brothers have a number of Pizza Hut locations in Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota. Curt Staab also previously had a dozen Wendy’s.

According to Nation’s Restaurant News, a trade publication, singer Drake recently became Dave’s latest celebrity investor and brand ambassador. Additional brand investors include actor Samuel L. Jackson and “Good Morning America” anchor and retired National Football League player Michael Strahan.

You must sign a waiver to eat this chain’s spiciest chicken. It plans 10 KC locations