Einstein Bros. Sets Ambitious Growth Path
Einstein Bros. plans to add 300 new locations by 2030, riding the bagel boom and signaling a new era of fast-casual breakfast innovation.
Jun 30, 2026
Einstein Bros. plans to add 300 new locations by 2030, riding the bagel boom and signaling a new era of fast-casual breakfast innovation.
Jun 30, 2026
Another Broken Egg Cafe bolsters its franchise growth strategy by promoting Chris Eby to VP of Development and adding new leadership - what this means for restaurant operators.
Jun 30, 2026
Learn how Mooyah Burger drives growth through operational excellence, technology, franchise leadership, and a customer-first approach.
Jun 30, 2026
Taco Bell’s Cantina model has opened at Denver International Airport, serving specialty eats and alcoholic beverages to travelers and signaling new growth opportunities for on-the-go dining.
Jun 30, 2026
Church’s Texas Chicken launches nationwide catering, presenting a fresh growth avenue for restaurants as group dining demand surges. Explore what operators can learn from this move.
Jun 30, 2026
Dog Haus has signed an exclusive beverage partnership with Keurig Dr Pepper, bringing flexible and innovative drink options to the chain and setting a new standard for franchise beverage programs.
Jun 30, 2026
Discover how Chicken Salad Chick has surged as a franchise force, achieving record-breaking growth and dominating its segment. Insights for restaurant operators seeking scalable expansion.
Jun 30, 2026
Explore Inspire Brands’ rapid expansion and what their upcoming IPO could mean for restaurant owners. We break down the latest performance of Arby’s, Sonic, Jimmy John’s, Baskin-Robbins, and Dunkin’ to help you benchmark and plan.
Jun 30, 2026
Southpaw's strategic acquisition of 43 Taco Bell stores in Ohio pushes their restaurant count to 180, highlighting their people-first approach and strong growth in the quick-service space.
Jun 29, 2026
Veteran restaurant leader Dan Harmon is now CEO of Pizzana and is driving the brand’s national expansion, franchising plans, and operational innovation.
Jun 29, 2026
Discover how Chicken Salad Chick has surged as a franchise force, achieving record-breaking growth and dominating its segment. Insights for restaurant operators seeking scalable expansion.

Chicken Salad Chick continues to defy industry norms, emerging as one of the most formidable forces in the fast-casual segment. Launching 2026 with deals for 52 new locations - a 50% leap over the prior year - this brand exemplifies how strategic development paired with a distinctive concept can drive momentum. With presence now stretching from Las Vegas to Philadelphia, Chicken Salad Chick boasts over 300 restaurants in its development pipeline, making it a standout not just in the South, but in a variety of emerging markets. For restaurant owners eyeing expansion or competitive repositioning, the clear message is that dominating a niche - here, a full-service chicken salad menu - can yield outsize returns, even in crowded industry lanes.
Under the leadership of Scott Deviney, Chicken Salad Chick transitioned from a 32-unit regional player to a 338-location powerhouse by mid-2026. The brand’s success rides on a laser-focused franchise strategy, onboarding fresh multi-unit operators and converting select company-owned units for rapid growth. Recent years have seen repeat double-digit expansion in key states like Texas, Florida, and North Carolina, as well as vital first steps into untapped markets including the Midwest and Northeast. Entrepreneurs and brand managers considering multi-unit plays can draw inspiration from Chicken Salad Chick’s thoughtfully staged, regionally balanced approach, which allowed them to log fifteen consecutive quarters of positive same-store sales and systemwide revenues now topping $458 million.
By catering largely to women aged 35 - 55, Chicken Salad Chick carved out a robust, loyal customer base and minimized direct competition. Their suburban site selection - a sweet spot for 2,200 to 2,800 square foot stores with seating for 48 to 82 - further tailored growth for maximum return. The financial results speak for themselves; average unit volumes have climbed to $1.483 million, with top-performing locations surpassing $2.4 million in sales last year. For operators evaluating potential investments or franchise models, the brand’s mix of moderate buildout costs (typically $777,000 - $1.033 million) and focused marketing delivers a compelling, scalable path to profitability - even as other chains chase broader menus or urban footprints.
Chicken Salad Chick’s journey highlights several keys to sustainable scaling.
Chicken Salad Chick’s exceptional performance proves that well-executed focus and calculated expansion pay. For operators aiming for the next level, analyzing franchise incentives, refining site-targeting strategies, and leveraging demographic research can set the stage for similar success. Keep your systems nimble and back up your growth with operational efficiencies and dedicated staff training. With strategic insight and the right support tools, today’s regional brands can very much become tomorrow’s leaders in their own “category of one.”
As Chicken Salad Chick’s franchise-first tactics prove, dominance is within reach for brands that leverage their uniqueness, deploy smart partnerships, and make data-driven decisions. The franchise sector remains packed with opportunity for operators willing to refine their concept and reach for the next horizon. Before your next growth move, evaluate which scalable systems and connections can streamline operations and fuel networked expansion - just as the best in fast casual have done. Looking to bring your expansion plans together seamlessly? Let technology help you connect every piece of your back office and service delivery.