From Concept to Counter: Bringing Dave's Hot Chicken's X-Men '97 Collab to Wisconsin
One reason the X-Men have endured for decades is that they remind us that great teams are stronger than any individual hero.
That’s certainly true in the restaurant industry.
Dave’s Hot Chicken’s new X-Men ’97 collaboration brings together fan-favorite characters, collectible figures, and a unique guest experience — but behind the promotion is a larger story about teamwork. From concept development and creative design to training, operations, and restaurant execution, countless people help bring promotions like this to life.
As franchisees operating Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurants in Wisconsin, this limited-time collaboration is more than a national promotion. It is a chance to create memorable guest experiences in the local communities we serve.
What Is the Dave’s Hot Chicken x X-Men ’97 Promotion?
Dave’s Hot Chicken has teamed up with Marvel Animation’s X-Men ’97 for a limited-time collaboration that combines hot chicken, collectible merchandise, and one of the most recognizable superhero teams in pop culture. The promotion launched alongside the return of X-Men ’97 and gives fans a new way to engage with the franchise while enjoying their favorite Dave’s meal.
What’s in the X-Meal at Dave’s Hot Chicken?
- Choice of a Slider & Fries or Bites & Fries
- One blind-bag collectible figurine
- A chance to collect:
- Wolverine
- Cyclops
- Storm
- Jean Grey
Part of the fun is the surprise. Because each figurine comes in a blind bag, guests won't know which character they're receiving until they open it.
The experience extends beyond the restaurant as well. Guests using the Dave’s Hot Chicken app can unlock limited-edition pins and exclusive comic content while supplies last.
Fun For Every Fan
For fans of the franchise, the promotion offers a unique chance to collect memorable characters from the X-Men universe.
For dedicated collectors, part of the excitement is the challenge. With four possible figurines and limited availability, completing the set may require more than one visit—and waiting too long could mean missing the opportunity altogether.
For restaurant guests, it is another example of how great brands can combine food, entertainment, and fandom to create experiences that go beyond the meal itself.
Whether guests are hoping to add Wolverine to their collection or simply enjoy a meal at Dave’s Hot Chicken, this limited-time promotion brings a little extra excitement to participating restaurants.
How Long Will the X-Meal Be Available?
This special offer is only available while supplies last. Different locations may run out at different times. If you want to collect the full set, consider visiting sooner rather than later.
You can check availability at restaurants near you by ordering online at daveshotchicken.com or using the Dave’s Rewards mobile app.
Why Team Up with the X-Men?
Few entertainment franchises have connected with audiences quite like the X-Men.
Around the World
Since the original comics debuted in the 1960s, X-Men stories have inspired fans across the world through animated series, movies, video games, and collectibles.
That popularity isn't limited to major cities or comic conventions. From Milwaukee and Madison to Green Bay, Appleton, Kenosha, and communities across Wisconsin, Dave's Hot Chicken guests here are just as passionate about pop culture, collectibles, and unique restaurant experiences as fans anywhere else.
Across Generations
The recent success of X-Men '97 introduced the iconic team to a new generation while reconnecting longtime fans with characters they grew up watching. Parents who watched the animated series in the 1990s can now share those same characters with a new generation, keeping the X-Men relevant decade after decade.
All Together
The Dave's Hot Chicken x X-Men '97 promotion taps into that shared excitement by combining two things people love: great food and great stories. The result is a limited-time experience that gives fans another reason to visit their local Dave's Hot Chicken restaurant.
Bringing the X-Men to Wisconsin
National promotions become local experiences because of the people working in restaurants every day.
For guests visiting Dave’s Hot Chicken in Wisconsin, the X-Men ’97 collaboration is not just something happening at the national brand level. It is something they can experience in their own community, at their local restaurant, served by local teams.
That local connection matters. Promotions like this create moments of excitement for guests, whether they are longtime X-Men fans, first-time Dave’s visitors, families stopping in for dinner, or collectors hoping to find a favorite character.
We are proud to help bring brand experiences like this to Wisconsin communities through our Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurants. The promotion may begin with a global idea, but it is our local teams who help turn that idea into a guest experience.
Find a Dave’s Hot Chicken Near You in Wisconsin
Ready to experience the Dave’s Hot Chicken x X-Men ’97 promotion?
Visit a participating Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurant in Wisconsin and enjoy the limited-time meal while supplies last.
- Milwaukee
- Wauwatosa
- Grafton
- Madison (East)
- Madison (West)
- Appleton
- Green Bay
- Kenosha
- Menomonee Falls
- New Berlin
- Wisconsin Dells/Baraboo
Guests can also visit our restaurant locations page to find a Dave’s Hot Chicken near them.
From Concept to Counter
The X-Men have always been about more than individual abilities. At the heart of the franchise is a team of people with different strengths, perspectives, and roles working together toward a shared mission.
That idea translates naturally to the restaurant industry. Successful restaurant promotions require many different teams working together before a guest ever places an order.
It Takes a Team
Brand promotions like Dave’s Hot Chicken x X-Men ’97 start with strategy, creative planning, partnerships, and guest experience design to ensure fan engagement. Operations and training teams prepare restaurants through communication, readiness, merchandising, product flow, app integration, and attention to detail for smooth execution.
Finally, restaurant teams bring the experience to life for guests. Managers, shift leaders, cooks, and team members are the people answering questions, preparing orders, supporting each other during busy shifts, and helping guests enjoy the promotion in real time.
The collectible figures and themed meal may be what guests see first, but the work behind the scenes is what makes the promotion possible.
Growing the Team Behind the Experience
You may not be able to join the X-Men, but you can join our team.
As Dave’s Hot Chicken and our other brands continue to grow in Wisconsin, we are always looking for talented people who are passionate about hospitality, teamwork, and serving their communities. We have opportunities at fast-casual restaurants in Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and central Iowa, including restaurant leadership, management, servers, cooks, and other roles.
Interested in joining the team? Explore current opportunities on our Careers Page.
Great Teams Bring Great Ideas to Life
The X-Men may be fictional heroes, but the lesson behind the franchise is real: great teams accomplish great things together.
Dave’s Hot Chicken’s X-Men ’97 collaboration is the result of people across marketing, operations, training, support, and restaurant teams working toward a shared goal. From concept to counter, teamwork makes it all possible.
We are proud of the Wisconsin teams helping bring that experience to life for guests every day.