With decades of experience and adjustments behind it, Layne’s business model is remarkably scalable. A team of experts has developed resources, processes and layouts that allow Layne’s franchisees to deliver higher-quality menu items with the speed and convenience of a traditional fast-food concept.
“A strong focus on operations and our commitment to identifying what we’re good at and growing to be even greater at it have helped us find this careful balance,” said Samir Wattar, chief operating officer. “We don’t add new menu items just to say we did, and we stay true to our identity as a chicken finger concept. Maintaining this focus has both created a steadier foundation for franchisees and further strengthened our identity as a standout option in the chicken finger space.”
By elevating food quality while keeping the menu and experience affordable, accessible and easy to navigate, Layne’s can appeal to a wider range of guests, too. From college students and budding professionals to young families with kids, there’s something for everyone.
While Layne’s brand identity and strong operations serve as a great jumping-off point for new franchisees, there are other considerations necessary to identify the best possible opportunity, starting with the market.
Determining the Right Market for Success
Once you’ve decided Layne’s is a great fit for you, you’ll need to consider how it may fit within your market.
Layne’s restaurants thrive in areas with young, active populations, and it performs especially well in college towns. It’s important to analyze the current market landscape to identify areas where there is a clear demand for chicken and room for growth with a brand bringing the speed, quality and experience Layne’s does.
The Layne’s leadership team also has rich real estate experience, and it applies this to its franchise development process.
“Once we’ve identified a growth market, we’re careful to select prime real estate,” Wattar said. “When a franchisee presents a site to us, we consider whether it’s one we would develop a corporate restaurant on. We don’t just say yes to check the box and begin development on another unit.”
During the development process, franchisees can work in conjunction with the leadership team to evaluate territory availability and the potential of certain sites within a market, and they will stay connected with a team of real estate experts throughout the build-out process for expert site selection, design and construction support. For many owners, this additional expertise — beyond the restaurant world — is a key differentiator and one of the primary drivers for partnering with Layne’s.
“The menu is fantastic; it has a lot to offer. But from a real estate perspective, they have a great team — from site selection to construction,” said Jake Willett, a multi-unit Arkansas franchisee. “We’ve got a gorgeous building that I can build 20 to 25% cheaper than with other concepts, including building and furniture, fixtures and equipment.”
Training for a Strong Launch and Long-Term Success
While the pathway to signing the franchise agreement and officially becoming a Layne’s franchisee is an important one, the Layne’s team does not discount the journey from signing to grand opening and beyond.
In addition to expert support for site selection and build-out, franchisees have access to a marketing playbook and resources that will position them to have a successful Grand Opening and continued growth thereafter.
Layne’s also maintains its operational excellence systemwide by ensuring franchisees receive ample training prior to opening and support during the early days of operation.
“We have a robust training program to support speed, quality and a great guest experience,” Wattar said. “Our ‘customer’ is not the person sitting in the restaurant eating chicken; it’s the franchisee. We see ourselves as a service organization, and we are dedicated to serving them and their growth as entrepreneurs through ample education and support.”
As Layne’s continues along its rapid growth trajectory, this deep commitment to support is a crucial factor in maintaining the strength of the franchisee network and the quality of the Layne’s brand, no matter how big the system grows to be.
By viewing the franchisee-franchisor relationship as a partnership, Layne’s builds stronger connections with franchisees and, ultimately, stronger, more successful businesses.
“The leadership team has a genuine interest in franchisee profitability, which is key,” said Masroor Fatany, a multi-unit owner in Houston “They’ve told me not to do certain real estate deals, for example. That’s rare in franchising. Layne’s isn’t chasing unit count as their key metric, and that speaks volumes in our industry.”
Why Now Is the Time To Invest With Layne’s
With its home state nearly sold out, franchisees from major brands flocking to the opportunity and an aggressive development schedule laid out for the coming years, Layne’s is a hot opportunity in the chicken space.
As the brand expands, Layne’s stands out as a fun, high-quality option in the crowded chicken market. It offers franchisees a chance to join a fast-growing segment backed by a distinct concept and an engaged, experienced team. The time to claim a prime territory with a rising star in the chicken segment is now. As Layne’s looks toward growth in New Mexico, Minnesota, Virginia, Oklahoma, the Carolinas and more, entrepreneurs have a compelling opportunity to do so with a brand that boasts a cult-like following, simple operations and unwavering support.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers.