Cookie Policy

Last Updated: July 5, 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to Dave's Hot Chicken ("we," "us," or "our"). We are committed to being transparent about how we collect and use data related to you. This Cookie Policy provides detailed information about how and when we use cookies on our website located at daveshot-cafe.rest.

This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, which together govern how we collect, process, and store your personal information. Our use of cookies is also subject to applicable United States federal and state laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act governing unfair or deceptive business practices.

If you have any questions about our use of cookies or other tracking technologies, please contact us using the details provided at the end of this policy.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or other internet-enabled device when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used by website owners in order to make their websites work more efficiently, as well as to provide reporting information and to improve the overall user experience.

Cookies set by the website owner (in this case, Dave's Hot Chicken) are called "first-party cookies." Cookies set by parties other than the website owner are called "third-party cookies." Third-party cookies enable third-party features or functionality to be provided on or through the website, such as advertising, interactive content, and analytics. The parties that set these third-party cookies can recognize your computer or device both when it visits the website in question and also when it visits certain other websites.

Cookies do not typically contain any information that personally identifies a user, but personal information that we store about you may be linked to the information stored in and obtained from cookies. Cookies are not viruses or computer programs — they are simple text files that cannot execute any code or replicate themselves.

2.1 How Cookies Work

When you visit our website for the first time, a cookie file is sent from our web server to your browser. Your browser then stores the cookie file on your device's hard drive. Each time you return to our website, your browser sends the stored cookie back to our server. This allows us to recognize you as a returning visitor and remember your preferences and settings.

Cookies can be either "session cookies" or "persistent cookies." Session cookies are temporary cookies that remain in the cookie file of your browser only until you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain in the cookie file of your browser for a longer period of time — the duration depends on the specific cookie and its settings.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

We use several different types of cookies on our website. The following sections describe these categories in detail:

3.1 Strictly Necessary / Essential Cookies

These cookies are essential for you to browse our website and use its features. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. Essential cookies do not require your consent under applicable law because they are strictly necessary for the operation of our website.

Examples of what essential cookies enable include: logging into secure areas of our website, adding items to an online order, and ensuring the security of your session. These cookies do not collect any personal information that could be used to identify you for marketing purposes.

3.2 Analytics and Performance Cookies

Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. These cookies allow us to recognize and count the number of visitors, understand how visitors move around the website, and identify which pages and features are most popular. This helps us improve the way our website works and ensure that users find what they are looking for easily.

We use Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google LLC, to collect and analyze this type of information. The data collected through analytics cookies is aggregated and anonymized wherever possible.

3.3 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies allow our website to remember choices you make when you use our website, such as your preferred language, your location, your username, and any customizations you make to website features. The purpose of these cookies is to provide you with a more personal experience and to avoid you having to re-enter your preferences every time you visit our website.

For example, functional cookies may remember your preferred restaurant location, your dietary preferences, or whether you prefer pickup or delivery options when ordering food online.

3.4 Advertising and Targeting Cookies

Advertising cookies are used to deliver advertisements that are more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement and to help measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. These cookies are usually placed by advertising networks with our permission. They remember that you have visited a website and this information is shared with other organizations, such as advertisers.

We use Google Ads (formerly Google AdWords) and may use other advertising platforms to display targeted advertisements about our food offerings, promotions, and new menu items. These platforms use cookies to track conversions and measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns.

4. Specific Cookies We Use

The table below provides detailed information about the specific cookies used on our website, including their names, purposes, types, and durations:

Cookie Name Provider Purpose Type Duration
_ga Google Analytics Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website. Used to distinguish users. Analytics 2 years
_gid Google Analytics Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website. Used to distinguish users and sessions. Analytics 24 hours
_gat Google Analytics Used to throttle the request rate — limiting the collection of data on high-traffic sites. Throttles request rate to Google Analytics. Analytics 1 minute
_gcl_au Google Ads Used by Google AdSense to experiment with advertisement efficiency across websites using their services. Stores and tracks conversions from Google Ads. Advertising 90 days
_fbp Facebook / Meta Used by Facebook to deliver a series of advertisement products such as real time bidding from third party advertisers. Identifies browsers for the purposes of providing advertising and site analytics services. Advertising 90 days
session_id daveshot-cafe.rest Maintains your session while you browse the website. Ensures you remain logged in and your cart is preserved during your visit. Essential Session (deleted when browser closes)
csrf_token daveshot-cafe.rest Protects against Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks by validating that form submissions originated from our website. Essential Session
user_preferences daveshot-cafe.rest Stores your website preferences such as preferred location, spice level preferences, and display settings to personalize your browsing experience. Functional 6 months
cookie_consent daveshot-cafe.rest Stores your cookie consent preferences so we do not ask you again on subsequent visits. Essential 1 year
cart_data daveshot-cafe.rest Stores items added to your online order cart so your selections are not lost if you navigate away from the ordering page. Functional 7 days
location_pref daveshot-cafe.rest Remembers your preferred Dave's Hot Chicken restaurant location so we can display relevant menu items and store information. Functional 30 days
_ga_[ID] Google Analytics (GA4) Used to persist session state for Google Analytics 4. Stores and counts page views for reporting purposes. Analytics 2 years

5. How to Manage and Disable Cookies

You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject cookies (with the exception of strictly necessary cookies). You can exercise your cookie preferences in the following ways:

5.1 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings preferences. You can set your browser to refuse cookies, delete existing cookies, or alert you when a cookie is being set. Please note that if you choose to block or delete cookies, some features of our website may not function properly.

Below are links to cookie management instructions for the most commonly used web browsers:

  • Google Chrome: Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data. You can block third-party cookies, clear cookies, or manage exceptions.
    https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647
  • Mozilla Firefox: Go to Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data. You can block cookies or clear stored cookies.
    Firefox Cookie Management
  • Apple Safari: Go to Preferences > Privacy. You can block all cookies or prevent cross-site tracking.
    Safari Cookie Management
  • Microsoft Edge: Go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data. You can block cookies or manage exceptions.
    Edge Cookie Management
  • Opera: Go to Settings > Advanced > Privacy & security > Site Settings > Cookies.
    Opera Cookie Management

For information on how to manage cookies on your mobile device, please refer to your device manufacturer's documentation or your mobile browser's help section.

5.2 Opt-Out Tools Provided by Third Parties

In addition to browser settings, you can opt out of certain third-party cookies using the tools provided by those third parties:

Google Analytics Opt-Out

To prevent your data from being used by Google Analytics, you can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on, which is available for major browsers:

Google Analytics Opt-Out Add-on

Alternatively, you can opt out of Google's interest-based advertising and personalized ads through Google's Ad Settings:

Google Ad Settings

Google Ads (DoubleClick) Opt-Out

You can opt out of Google's use of cookies for advertising purposes by visiting:

Google Advertising Settings

Facebook / Meta Opt-Out

You can control Facebook's use of your data for advertising purposes through your Facebook account settings or by visiting:

Facebook Ad Preferences

Industry-Wide Opt-Out Tools

You can opt out of interest-based advertising from multiple companies through the following industry opt-out tools:

6. Impact of Disabling Cookies

Please be aware that restricting or disabling cookies may impact your experience on our website. Depending on which cookies you disable, the following functionality may be affected:

  • Essential Cookies Disabled: If you disable essential cookies, you will not be able to use our online ordering system, log in to your account, or complete purchases. Your shopping cart may not function correctly, and security features protecting your data will be impaired.
  • Analytics Cookies Disabled: Disabling analytics cookies means we will be unable to collect data about how you use our website. While this will not affect your browsing experience, it limits our ability to improve our website and services based on user behavior data.
  • Functional Cookies Disabled: If you disable functional cookies, your preferences (such as your favorite location, spice preferences, and display settings) will not be saved between sessions. You will need to re-enter this information each time you visit our website.
  • Advertising Cookies Disabled: Disabling advertising cookies will not stop you from seeing advertisements, but those advertisements will be less relevant to your interests. You may see more generic advertisements that are not tailored to your preferences or browsing history.

7. Do Not Track (DNT) Signals

Some web browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want your online activity tracked. Currently, there is no universally accepted standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. At this time, our website does not respond to DNT browser signals in a standardized way. However, we respect your right to privacy and encourage you to use the cookie management tools described in this policy to control your tracking preferences.

8. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) regarding your personal information, which includes data collected through cookies. These rights include:

  • The right to know what personal information is being collected about you through cookies and tracking technologies
  • The right to know whether your personal information is being sold or disclosed, and to whom
  • The right to opt out of the sale of your personal information
  • The right to request deletion of your personal information, including cookie-derived data
  • The right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights
  • The right to correct inaccurate personal information
  • The right to limit use and disclosure of sensitive personal information

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the "Contact Us" section below. We will respond to verified requests within the timeframes required by applicable California law.

9. Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed at children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through cookies or any other means. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information through our website, please contact us immediately so that we can take appropriate action.

10. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, law, our business operations, or any other reason we deem necessary or appropriate. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy and, where appropriate, notify you by email or through a prominent notice on our website.

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about our use of cookies and related technologies. Your continued use of our website after any changes to this Cookie Policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, plug-ins, and applications. Clicking on those links or enabling those connections may allow third parties to collect or share data about you. We do not control these third-party websites and are not responsible for their privacy or cookie policies. When you leave our website, we encourage you to read the cookie policy of every website you visit.

12. Legal Basis for Cookie Use

We use cookies in compliance with applicable United States law, including the FTC Act, which governs fair information practices, and state-level privacy laws including the CCPA/CPRA. For cookies that are not strictly necessary, we rely on your consent as the legal basis for processing. You may withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your browser settings or using the opt-out tools described in this policy, although this will not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out before you withdrew your consent.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies and tracking technologies, please do not hesitate to contact us:

Dave's Hot Chicken

We will make every effort to respond to your inquiry within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable legal requirements.