The CEO of Dave’s Hot Chicken Says Speed Is No Longer the Point of Fast Food: ‘It’s Not 1999’

Jim Bitticks, CEO of Dave’s Hot Chicken, is challenging the fast-food industry's traditional focus on speed, arguing that quality and customer experience now matter more than quick service. With changing consumer preferences, he’s shifting strategies to emphasize food quality and personalized service over rapid turnover. This shift reflects broader trends where customers are willing to wait for better food and a more pleasant dining experience, signaling a potential industry-wide pivot towards value and satisfaction over speed.