Arby’s Franchisee Signs 22-Unit Deal To Grow With Layne’s Chicken Fingers in Ohio

Doug McGuire's career is a testament to the power of franchising, a journey that began managing his family’s H&R Block offices for 27 years before expanding into the restaurant world with eight Arby’s locations, which he has operated for the past 18 years. While these established ventures brought consistent success, McGuire recognized that growth opportunities for Arby’s in his Ohio territory had become limited due to market saturation, and his interest in continued growth pushed him to explore new horizons.

His search quickly gravitated towards the booming chicken market. After discovering Layne’s Chicken Fingers*, the rapidly growing, “Texas born and breaded” concept, and visiting Texas to experience the food himself, McGuire knew he had found the right fit.

McGuire took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what he had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Doug McGuire: I began my career in the tax business with my family's H&R Block offices 27 years ago. We decided to diversify about 18 years ago, leading me to get into the restaurant business with Arby's. This was partly to protect our business, as the tax industry can face dramatic changes. I currently own eight Arby's units. 

Growth for Arby's in Ohio has slowed because the market is quite saturated, so I wanted to keep growing, which meant looking for a new brand. I was drawn to Layne's because I liked the chicken space, which I believe appeals to all ages and demographics, especially the younger crowd. The product is great, and there's a significant opportunity for growth in my area. My experience as a multi-brand franchisee has shown me that franchising provides a proven model, taking out much of the guesswork. 

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

McGuire: Having been involved with two different franchise models previously, I've come to appreciate that franchising takes a lot of the guesswork out. They've already developed a proven model, so you don't have to reinvent the wheel. 

I wanted to stay within the franchise model because it has worked well for me so far, and I don't really want to start an independent business from scratch.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

McGuire: I picked Layne's because I specifically wanted to get into the chicken segment, which I think is a good space that appeals to all ages and demographics. The product is great. After visiting and trying it in Frisco, Texas, I was very impressed. I believe it's a superior product compared to competitors, and it just needs more notoriety and exposure. 

What excites me most is the opportunity to grow within my area and expand into a large market with a good product. I also connected with the Layne's team, which felt like a very small, family-oriented team. This aligns with my own background.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

McGuire: My immediate goal with Layne's is to fulfill this 22-unit agreement. If everything goes well, I hope to continue expanding beyond that. A part of what drives my desire to expand and get bigger is that my wife and I have five kids, with three in college and two in high school, and I anticipate more than one of them will come back and work in the business. 

I believe my experience in building teams and managing multiple franchise locations will be transferable to the Layne's brand. 

I am very excited and believe in the brand so much that I'd like to have 10 open tomorrow if I could.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

McGuire: I'm simply very excited about this partnership and eager to get some stores open. I believe Layne's will be well-received in the areas I'm targeting, and the product is excellent. I have no hesitation with the brand or the product.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

McGuire: My belief is that if the numbers look good and they have a solid model, then you should be able to replicate that success. Do your research and trust your decision.

ABOUT LAYNE'S CHICKEN FINGERS

Founded in 1994 in College Station, the original location became a Texas A&M legend known for its small-town charm, friendly service, iconic chicken fingers and secret sauce. While opening corporate locations across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the leadership team focused on fine tuning its operations and starting to franchise.  

Franchise opportunities range from $451,500 to $1,050,000 with different buildout options available. Learn more about franchising here.