Dave's Hot Chicken and Gong Cha to Open in West Seattle

The new franchise storefronts will launch in Alaska Junction this November at 4706 California Ave SW.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Openings & Closings

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Dave’s Hot Chicken and Gong Cha will open new locations this November in West Seattle’s Alaska Junction neighborhood. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Dave's Hot Chicken and Gong Cha are set to debut in West Seattle in November 2026. The two brands will occupy divided storefronts at 4706 California Ave SW in the Alaska Junction neighborhood.

Why it matters

The new storefronts represent a significant expansion for the Keshap Group in the region. The addition of these popular food and beverage chains brings further dining options to the Alaska Junction area.

The new space at 4706 California Ave SW features Dave's Hot Chicken, which offers 7 levels of spiciness, and Gong Cha, which operates over 2,000 stores worldwide.

The players

Keshap Group

This organization is a franchise group based in Kirkland that operates multiple Dave's Hot Chicken and Gong Cha locations.

The details

The Keshap Group is converting the former Haymaker space into two distinct storefronts to house the new locations. The Gong Cha shop will utilize a Super Wu drink-dispensing machine that automatically prepares beverages by scanning customer QR codes.

Timeline

  1. November 2026 is the scheduled opening month for both businesses.

  2. November 12-13, 2026, marks the Gong Cha soft opening.

  3. November 13, 2026, is the deadline for the Dave's Hot Chicken grand opening.

  4. December 3-4, 2026, serves as the grand opening for Gong Cha.

Market Landscape

The project follows the established pattern of high-traffic franchise brands moving into renovated spaces in the West Seattle corridor. This move reflects a broader trend of commercial densification in the Alaska Junction neighborhood.

Residents can expect new dining options in Alaska Junction with extended hours, including late-night service until midnight on weekends. The arrival of these national brands provides more alternatives for those seeking food options after 10 p.m.

The takeaway

The transformation of the former Haymaker space demonstrates how established franchises are increasingly utilizing subdivided retail real estate to maximize footprint. Customers should watch for early December grand opening promotions as the businesses ramp up local operations.

What happens next

Gong Cha is scheduled to host its grand opening events on December 3 and December 4, 2026.

Further reading

Find more local business updates on our Seattle Openings & Closings page.

Source note: This article includes information reported by West Seattle Blog....

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