Chicken Salad Chick opened its 300th location in April, a major milestone for the growing fast casual brand, according to a press release issued this week. The brand also signed 35 additional franchising deals in Q1, its most in any quarter, according to the press release.
The brand cited strong unit economics as drivers of franchisee recruitment and construction. Average ticket, according to the release, is up. Chicken Salad Chick attributed this to the brand’s unique positioning: the brand acquired Piece of Cake in late 2023, allowing it to expand its dessert menu. This offering could be driving check growth through attachment.
Chicken Salad Chicken’s unit count grew 13% in the last year, according to the press release, and its AUV for franchise stores hit $1.48 million in 2024, according to its Franchise Disclosure Document. That’s an increase of about $75,000 compared to 2023’s AUV, according to that year’s FDD, equivalent to a 5% bump in same-store sales.
This performance is driving increased franchisee interest, said Mark Verges, vice president of franchise development at the chain.
Fast casual generally has performed well in the last couple years, as fast food’s price advantage has eroded. The sector’s overperformance relative to the industry pushed some of its leaders to speed up their growth plans late last year, with Shake Shack, Wingstop and Chipotle all boosting expansion. Cava recently increased its growth projections following strong same-store sales growth.
The chicken salad brand is targeting development in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and West Virginia, according to the press release.
