It looks like the fried chicken wars are heating up, but one Texas-born brand is simply running away with the title. Layne’s Chicken Fingers, the “Soon to be Famous” franchise, just wrapped up a monumental third quarter, proving that when it comes to craveable chicken, people are willing to stand in line. We’re talking about record-breaking revenue and an absolute explosion of growth that solidifies Layne’s as a serious national contender.
The big news from Q3 wasn’t just about sales; it was about staking a serious claim on the map. Layne’s inked five new franchise agreements, including a jaw-dropping 44-unit deal to develop West Texas. That massive deal – plus another eight-unit agreement in the region – officially makes the Layne’s home state of Texas about 95% sold out for franchising. If you’re a long-time fan, this is huge! But the fun isn’t just staying in the Lone Star State: the brand also signed its very first three-unit deal in Oregon and saw its existing Wisconsin franchisee add an incredible 13 more units to their development agreement. CEO Garrett Reed rightly sees this aggressive expansion, especially with existing owners, as a huge testament to the investment opportunity.
So, how does a “chicken finger” spot manage such ferocious growth? It comes down to rock-solid operations and a commitment to its partners. Layne’s prides itself on having all the “scaffolding” in place before it’s needed. This careful planning allowed the brand to open seven new restaurants in Q3 alone – part of 14 new units opened year-to-date – with some dates seeing a double opening! Think about that: two restaurants opening on the same day, miles apart, without a hitch. As Chief Operating Officer Samir Wattar noted, the combination of opening seven restaurants and breaking systemwide revenue records in the same period shows just how insane the demand for that “Best Damn Chicken Fingers” really is.
It’s clear that this rapid rise is being noticed by more than just hungry fans. Top industry publications like Nation’s Restaurant News, Restaurant Business, and Franchise Times are all buzzing about the brand’s potential, further validating the team’s hard work. But for the folks at Layne’s, the real seal of approval comes from their current franchisees. Wattar proudly pointed to the Wisconsin partners who decided to tack 13 more units onto their existing deal. That kind of reinvestment is the strongest validation a franchise can ask for – it means the model is working, and the secret sauce (both operational and literal) is paying off!
With another eight restaurants slated to open before the year is out and a strategic focus on expanding into the mountain states, Layne’s is poised to carry this momentum far past 2025. What started as a Texas A&M student favorite in College Station is now on a high-speed path to becoming a true national chicken powerhouse. Better get ready, America, because Layne’s is about to be everywhere!
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