A Dave’s Hot Chicken franchise will open later this year in the former Taco John’s in Oak Park Heights, officials said Thursday.
Officials with the popular chain, known for its Nashville-style hot chicken sandwiches and tenders, said the restaurant will have a drive-thru.
Minnesota Chicken LLC, doing business as Dave’s Hot Chicken, has submitted an application for a conditional-use permit and design guidelines/site plan review with the city of Oak Park Heights.
In the application, Alex Humphries, the owner of Minnesota Chicken LLC, wrote that he was requesting a variance to allow mural artwork throughout the exterior of the building at 5910 Neal Ave. N.
“While the city’s design guidelines do not specifically reference murals, this design element is a central part of the Dave’s Hot Chicken brand and an important factor in creating the guest experience that our guests expect,” Humphries wrote. “Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurants nationwide feature mural artwork that reflects the brand’s energy, authenticity, and urban roots. These murals are not optional embellishments — they are an essential component of our franchise design standards.”
City staff is recommending that wall signage should be limited to one per façade for a total of four wall signs, city officials wrote in a planning report.
“The applicant may determine which sign to use on each façade, and two signs may be placed on one of the facades,” city officials wrote. “At the time of sign permitting the applicant shall provide the square footage of each of the facades to assure compliance with the 10 percent limit of signage.”
The Oak Park Heights planning commission was expected to hear the matter on Thursday night.
Humphries and his cousin, former NBA star Kris Humphries, and his aunt and uncle, William and Debra Humphries, brought the Los Angeles-based chain to Minnesota in 2023. Other Twin Cities locations are on in St. Paul (Ford Parkway), Apple Valley (near Cedar Avenue and County Road 42), Minneapolis (North Loop) and Minnetonka (Plymouth Road).
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