You're About to See This One-Of-a-Kind Chicken Chain Everywhere

Is chicken salad the new tuna salad? One Texas-based fast-casual chain is betting on it. Spoiler alert: There are no fries or burgers on this menu, though you can order plenty of varieties of chicken salad, sandwiches, and salads.

Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's only fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, is hoping it can get away with taking over the fast-casual market sans fryers or griddles.

"Whether it's fresh ingredients in our restaurants or new chicken salad flavors created by our innovative team, Chicken Salad Chick's creativity on the menu helps us stand out in the crowded fast-casual marketplace," says Scott Deviney, CEO of Chicken Salad Chick.

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And so far, the plan seems to be working. The chain surpassed 200 locations in 17 states in 2021, and is on track to have more than 235 by the end of this year. Looking at long-term growth, the company says it is aiming to have 500 units open by the end of 2025.

To achieve this ambitious goal, it would need to open about 83 new restaurants annually from 2023 to 2025. Each one is expected to have a minimum net worth of $600,000 plus liquid assets of at least $200,000, according to Restaurant Dive. Franchisees should expect to make initial investments of about $600,000 to $700,000, with a $50,000 initial franchise fee.

Chicken Salad Chick originated in the Lone Star State, but you can now find franchises throughout several southern and midwestern states. The most recent locations opened in Indianapolis, Western Virginia, and South Florida. The expansion isn't even close to stopping: You may soon be able to nosh on the popular chicken salad in your neck of the woods. The company has been targeting Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky as their next frontier.

Chicken Salad Chick reported $255 million in systemwide sales, which is a 46% increase over 2020.

"Our sales and development momentum is setting us up for another strong year of enriching lives and serving others," Deviney says.