Dave's Hot Chicken Hot Box (Tenders): Price, What's Inside & Is It Worth It (2026)
Last Updated: Oct 2026
The Hot Box Tenders is Dave's catering-style box: 10 full-size tenders with your pick of two heat levels (5 and 5), plus bread, pickles, and Dave's sauce. It costs roughly $45–$55 at most locations in 2026, though some cities list it higher. If you're feeding a group and don't want to take ten separate orders, this is the box built for you.
For full detail on menu, explore our Dave's Hot Chicken Menu Page.
Hot Box Tenders at a Glance
| Detail | Hot Box Tenders |
|---|---|
| Tenders in the box | 10 (full-size) |
| Heat levels | Your pick of 2, split 5 + 5 |
| Also in the box | Bread, pickles, Dave's sauce |
| Typical price (2026) | $45–$55 |
| Feeds | 3–4 as a main, 5–6 with sides |
| Est. calories (whole box) | ~4,900–5,500 |
Price in 2026
Most locations list the Hot Box Tenders between $45 and $55. A few markets (California, New York) push it toward $60–$65, and delivery apps add their own markup on top. There isn't one national price — franchises set their own — so check your local store's menu before budgeting for a party.
One thing to know upfront: this is not a bulk-discount deal. Ten single tenders at ~$4.99 each comes to about $49.90, which is basically the box price. You're paying for convenience and the group format, not a per-tender saving. The real value shows up when you compare it to ordering individual combos (more on that below).
What's Inside the Box
- 10 chicken tenders, full-size — the same tenders sold individually, not smaller catering pieces.
- Two heat levels of your choice, split 5 and 5 (confirmed on in-store menus: "Choice of Two Heat Levels (5/Heat Level)").
- Sliced bread, pickles, and Dave's sauce on the side.
- That's it. Fries, slaw, and extra sauces are separate — the Box of Fries exists for exactly this reason.
The 5-and-5 split is the whole point of the box. It lets a group with mixed spice tolerance eat from one order without anyone suffering or anyone bored.
How Many People Does It Feed?
Ten tenders is roughly 5,000 calories of chicken. As the main event, it comfortably feeds 3–4 hungry people (2–3 tenders each). Stretch it with a Box of Fries and some sides and it covers 5–6 as part of a spread.
Don't do what some menu sites do and call it a 1–2 person box. That's just wrong — nobody orders a catering box for one.
Is It Actually Good Value?
Do the math against the alternative:
| Option | What you get | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Box Tenders | 10 tenders, bread, pickles, sauce | $45–$55 |
| 10 single tenders (à la carte) | 10 tenders, bread, pickles, sauce | ~$49.90 |
| 5× Dave's #1 combos | 10 tenders + 5 fries + extras | ~$64.95 |
| Hot Box + Box of Fries | 10 tenders + shareable fries + extras | ~$57–$69 |
Five Dave's #1 combos (2 tenders + fries each) at ~$12.99 runs about $65 — and that's the same 10 tenders plus fries. The Hot Box at ~$50 saves you roughly $15 if the group doesn't need everyone to have their own fries. Add a $12–$14 Box of Fries and you're at ~$62–$64 for the equivalent food, still a touch under five combos, with way less packaging and waiting.
Where it loses: if everyone wants different sides, or if half the group wants sliders. The box is tenders-only. Mixed groups should price out two boxes (tenders + sliders) against individual orders before committing.
Calories and Nutrition
Same story as the individual tenders: Dave's has never published official nutrition data. A tender runs an estimated 490–550 calories, so the full box is roughly 4,900–5,500 calories before sides. That's the honest number.
| Nutrient | Per tender (est.) | Whole box (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 490–550 | 4,900–5,500 |
| Protein | ~30g | ~300g |
| Carbs | ~35–45g | ~350–450g |
| Fat | ~32–35g | ~320–350g |
| Sodium | ~1,400mg | ~14,000mg |
All figures are rough third-party estimates, not official numbers — the brand has never released a full nutrition breakdown.
You'll see other sites printing exact protein, carb, and sodium figures for this box down to the milligram. The brand never released those numbers. Anyone publishing them to three significant figures is guessing and hoping you don't notice. Treat all Hot Box nutrition figures, including ours, as estimates.
Heat Strategy for Groups
This is where most groups mess up the order. A few rules from experience:
Splits that work for real groups:
- 5 Mild + 5 Medium — the safe default; covers spice lovers and cautious eaters alike.
- 5 Medium + 5 Hot — for a crew that all eats spicy; keep mac & cheese on the table.
- 5 No Spice + 5 Medium — when kids or non-spice eaters are in the mix.
Rules worth following:
- Ask staff to mark or separate the two halves — identical-looking tenders cause mix-ups.
- Going Hot on half the box sounds fun until the mild half is gone in ten minutes and four people are staring at tenders they can't eat.
- Leave the Reaper out of the main box; order the Roulette separately if someone wants the gamble.
What to Order With It
- Box of Fries (~$12–$14) — the obvious companion; 18 oz of crinkle-cut fries built for sharing.
- Mac & cheese — the heat extinguisher. Essential if either half of the box is Hot or above.
- Extra Dave's sauce — the box comes with some, but ten tenders burn through it fast; cups are cheap.
- Slushers or shakes — cold and sweet beats water against real heat, every time.
Order Online: daveshotchicken.com
FAQs
How many tenders come in the Hot Box?
10 full-size tenders — the same ones sold individually, not smaller pieces.
How much is the Hot Box Tenders in 2026?
Typically $45–$55 at most locations, though some markets list it up to $65. Prices vary by franchise.
Can you mix heat levels in the Hot Box?
Yes — that's the point. You pick two heat levels, split 5 tenders and 5 tenders.
Does the Hot Box come with fries?
No. It comes with bread, pickles, and Dave's sauce. Fries are a separate Box of Fries.
Are the Hot Box tenders halal?
The chicken is halal-certified at all locations. Sauces and sides aren't individually certified, so strict observers should check with their local branch.
How do you reheat leftover Hot Box tenders?
Air fryer or hot oven, about 10 minutes. The microwave turns the crust soggy — fine in a pinch, but the oven is worth the wait.
