Layne's Chicken Fingers

The fried chicken market is thriving and continues to grow, valued at&nbsp;<a href="https://market.us/report/fried-chicken-market?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=differentiators-chicken-market-2731615" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">more than $13 billion</a> in North America in 2024. As entrepreneurs recognize the opportunity that exists in the segment, competition is growing, but the brands that bring something truly differentiated to the market are the ones that continue to thrive.&nbsp;<a href="https://layneschickenfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=differentiators-chicken-market-2731615" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the fast-growing chicken finger franchise, has established its distinct position through a focused menu, operational simplicity and unparalleled culture and support, rising to the top as a key competitor in the market.“<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> stands out because of the quality, the support we give and the way we approach franchising,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-wattar-0a4187a/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=differentiators-chicken-market-2731615" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Samir Wattar</a>, chief operating officer. “We’re not complicating things. We serve chicken tenders, and that’s who we are. We’re not going to sell burgers or shrimp just to make money. And the biggest reason franchisees invest with us is because we’re not afraid to say no to protect the franchisee.”<h2>Protecting Culture Through Rapid Growth</h2>The baseline of Layne’s success is its culture and commitment to excellence. Since its 1994 founding in College Station, Texas, the brand has stood out with both guests and team members thanks to its ability to create a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere without sacrificing speed or quality. As Layne’s has grown, staying true to these values elevates it above other would-be competitors in the space.“We like to say that we’re in the people business, and we just so happen to serve chicken fingers, as well,” said CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-reed-5a724a152/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=differentiators-chicken-market-2731615" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Garrett Reed</a>. “We care deeply about the experience of the end-user, our guests, but we also understand that a great final product requires real infrastructure behind it.”As the brand has grown, the Layne’s leadership team has focused on maintaining its culture across all levels, but it has also made strategic choices to back this up.At each stage in the process, Layne’s guiding light is an emphasis on service. Throughout the entire journey, the team is there to support, and executive leadership has made a clear effort to ensure that support is never outpaced by the growth of the Layne’s system.“The scaffolding will always be there before it’s needed; we never want to be scrambling to catch up with the needs of our franchisees,” Reed said. “Right now, we have 41 restaurants open, and we have 28 employees in the home office. We have dedicated departments for the different types of support a franchisee will need, and we use the ‘relay race’ approach. After a franchisee signs their agreement, they’re ‘handed off’ to the different teams at the home office. And, just like in a relay race, no one should ever ‘drop the baton.’”For franchisees, this inspires confidence and offers another layer of protection for the long-term success of the investment. When they know the Layne’s team has their back and truly has their best interests at heart, franchisees can develop confidently, knowing there’s an entire system of success standing behind them.<h2>A Model Built Around Simplicity and Efficiency</h2>As Layne’s has grown, it has stayed true to its chicken finger identity. This alone is a key differentiator as it supports brand consistency and easy recognition for guests while allowing franchisees and their teams to focus on further perfecting an already-great product.However, the operational implications of this and other strategies Layne’s implements streamline the business even further.Layne’s is built for efficiency — literally, with design and operations teams reviewing drawings before the restaurant is even built out to identify potential improvements. With a baseline of thoughtful kitchen design, Layne’s owners can make other small adjustments to perfect the layout, decreasing unnecessary movement and steps taken by back-of-house team members to boost their efficiency.The simplicity of Layne’s also shines in its&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/how-laynes-built-a-restaurant-model-that-only-has-125-items-including-toilet-paper-2728484">inventory model</a>. With 125 SKUs for the entire restaurant, including paper products, ordering is more straightforward, the square footage required for storage is smaller, and food waste is minimized.Through all of these improvements, no matter how small, Layne’s takes steps to make each restaurant as efficient as possible, freeing up time and resources for owners and their teams to reinvest in future success.<h2>A Regional Icon Expanding With a Thoughtful Growth Strategy</h2>Layne’s is a College Station classic. Texas A&amp;M graduates visit when they return for university events, and some have even&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/why-texas-a-and-m-alum-bought-laynes-franchise-2730477">opened restaurants themselves</a>. Demand from guests is there, as is demand from prospective franchisees, but Layne’s isn’t selling restaurants to just anyone.“Yes, we want to grow. We are Layne’s Soon to be Famous™ Chicken Fingers, but we’re not going to sign franchise agreements just to check a box or drop a pin in a new state,” Wattar said. “We maintain a thoughtful approach to growth because we’ve seen how successful Layne’s can be when it’s run by the right people — as seen in College Station. Keeping our focus on the people behind the brand, not just a unit count we want to reach or a market we want to enter, is what has allowed us to maintain that same feel and guest affinity we see in College Station as we open restaurants across the country.”At the highest level, Layne’s isn’t afraid to say no. The leadership team isn’t going to sign an agreement with a franchisee who isn’t a true fit just to bring in the funds from the initial franchise fee. They aren’t going to approve a real estate site that they wouldn’t personally invest in just to get a restaurant open sooner.“We will say no just to protect our brand and our franchisees, current and future, even if it’s going to hurt us,” Wattar said. “That’s the biggest thing for me. We’ll say no, and we back that up with facts and reasoning.”<h2>A Future With Layne’s: What Franchisees Should Know</h2>Joining the Layne’s system represents an opportunity to be a part of a truly unique brand with an impressive growth trajectory. In addition to joining a brand that differentiates itself in the crowded chicken market, franchisees are&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/franchise-cost-2731346">making an investment</a> in a carefully developed business model with a real opportunity for&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/franchise-earnings-2025-2731348">strong returns</a>.&nbsp;As they grow, the leadership team is seeking passionate entrepreneurs who recognize the role of their restaurant(s) in the larger Layne’s ecosystem and will do their part to protect not only their business, but also the Layne’s name and their fellow franchisees. Successful Layne’s owners stay involved in the business, consistently celebrating wins, identifying opportunities and supporting their long-term success.“Our ideal franchisee is someone who understands and shares our vision,” Reed said. “We recognize the uniqueness of the Layne’s model in the chicken finger space and know that’s largely driven by our approach to growth and the people we choose to welcome to the family. We’re excited to continue along this growth journey with entrepreneurs who share our values of hospitality, service and support.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers">https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers</a>.&nbsp;

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Why Layne’s Stands Out in the Fast Food Chicken Market

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In a crowded market, the Soon to be Famous™ chicken finger franchise stands out thanks to its focused menu, streamlined operations and unwavering commitment to franchisee support.

This brand page has been paid for by LAYNE'S CHICKEN FINGERS. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Why Layne’s Chicken Fingers Shines as the Real Chicken Finger Contender: What Franchisees Should Know

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Layne’s Chicken Fingers CEO Drives Culture of Care and Collaboration From the Top Down

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Doubles Footprint, Welcomes 10 New Franchisees to the System in 2025 as It Ramps up for Another Record-Breaking Year

Leading Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchisee, C5 Restaurants, Adds 15+ Units to Pipeline, Prepares for Arkansas Expansion

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The&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/what-is-an-fdd-and-how-do-i-read-one-a-guide-2730918#stories">Franchise Disclosure Document</a> is a thorough document required by the Federal Trade Commission. Each franchise brand must provide one, complete with 23 specific items, to support its candidates in the due diligence process. For entrepreneurs considering&nbsp;<a href="http://layneschickenfranchising.com">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the FDD provides a robust overview of the data necessary to make an informed investment decision.&nbsp;Here’s what you’ll find in&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> 2026 FDD and what it means.<h2>Items 1 Through 4: The Who and What</h2>Layne’s FDD starts with an overview of Layne’s as an organization, the franchise itself, potential competition and industry regulations. Like any restaurant concept, Layne’s competes with other restaurants, and unit-level performance may be impacted by industry-wide shifts, such as changes in consumer taste, traffic patterns and economic conditions.Item 2, “Business Experience,” highlights the team leading the business, including CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-reed-5a724a152/">Garrett Reed</a>, Chief Operating Officer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-wattar-0a4187a/">Samir Wattar</a> and Chief Development Officer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-reed-359407a/">Eric Reed</a>. The entirety of the Layne’s leadership team brings a wealth of experience in restaurants, real estate, marketing and operations.Items 3 and 4 cover litigation and bankruptcy. Layne’s does not have anything to disclose in either.<h2>Items 5 Through 7: Costs and Fees</h2>Next, the FDD outlines the costs of operating a Layne’s, including the initial investment and ongoing costs.Layne’s Item 5 highlights the initial franchise fee ($50,000), which is uniform for all franchisees and non-refundable, and the development agreement fee, which is $50,000 for the first location plus $25,000 for each additional planned location.Item 6 outlines other fees. The most relevant fees here are the recurring ones, which are outlined as follows:<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Type of Fee</td><td>Amount</td></tr><tr><td>Royalty Fee</td><td>5% of gross revenues/week</td></tr><tr><td>Local or Regional Advertising Cooperative</td><td>Up to 5% of gross revenues, paid as directed by the cooperative</td></tr><tr><td>Local Marketing Expenditure</td><td>1% of gross revenues/quarter</td></tr><tr><td>POS System Maintenance Fee</td><td>Approximately $4,800 - $7,200/year</td></tr><tr><td>Technology Fee</td><td>Capped at the greater of $500/month or $6,000/year</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>Item 7 includes an outline of the estimated initial investment ($531,500 to $1,605,000), broken down by line item. In the 2026 FDD, Layne’s discloses the following costs:<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Type of Expenditure</td><td>Amount</td></tr><tr><td>Initial Franchise Fee</td><td>$50,000</td></tr><tr><td>Lease Deposit and Rent (three months)</td><td>$7,500 - $50,000</td></tr><tr><td>Utility Deposits</td><td>$5,000</td></tr><tr><td>Government Licenses and Permits</td><td>$1,500 - $10,000</td></tr><tr><td>Blueprints and Plans</td><td>$10,000 - $50,000</td></tr><tr><td>Leasehold Improvements</td><td>$175,000 - $900,000</td></tr><tr><td>Signage and Graphics</td><td>$7,000 - $70,000</td></tr><tr><td>Furniture and Fixtures</td><td>$10,000 - $30,000</td></tr><tr><td>Point of Sale</td><td>$8,000 - $15,000</td></tr><tr><td>Computer Hardware and Software</td><td>$3,500 - $7,500</td></tr><tr><td>Kitchen Equipment and Smallwares</td><td>$150,000 - $250,000</td></tr><tr><td>Professional Services</td><td>$5,000 - $7,500</td></tr><tr><td>Initial Inventory</td><td>$7,500 - $15,000</td></tr><tr><td>Smallwares, Uniforms, and Initial Supplies</td><td>$7,000 - $15,000</td></tr><tr><td>Insurance</td><td>$5,000 - $15,000</td></tr><tr><td>Travel and Related Expenses While Training</td><td>$2,000 - $5,000</td></tr><tr><td>Initial Opening Assistance</td><td>$2,500 - $5,000</td></tr><tr><td>Grand Opening Advertising and Promotion</td><td>$10,000 - $25,000</td></tr><tr><td>Additional Funds</td><td>$15,000 - $30,000</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>It is important to note that these numbers are not a guarantee. How much it will cost for you to open your specific Layne’s restaurant will vary, but the Item 7 is built around real historical data and serves as a benchmark for potential owners.Reviewing all of the data in these items will help you understand exactly how much it will cost to get your Layne’s open and when those payments will be due.<h2>Items 9, 11, 13, 14 and 15: The Details</h2>Once you understand who Layne’s is and how much you should expect to invest, you can dive into the nitty-gritty details of ownership.Item 9 outlines your obligations. For example, you are responsible for the required fees, and you must comply with Layne’s standards. While this item outlines what will be required of you, it also gives some structure to the expectations across the system. Things like “maintenance, appearance and remodeling” are included in this item, laying the foundation for consistent high standards across the system and ultimately protecting the brand at large and your individual investment.Item 11 outlines the franchisor’s obligations to you before you open your restaurant and over the course of the franchise agreement. This includes anything from the provision of initial training to ongoing consultation, advertising and brand development efforts.Item 13 covers trademarks. For Layne’s, this includes “Layne’s Chicken Fingers,” “Soon to be Famous chicken fingers,” “Born &amp; Breaded in Texas,” the Astro Chicken, and Layne’s logos.Item 14&nbsp;describes patents, copyrights and proprietary information. Layne’s does not have any patents but does have proprietary rights to the materials used in the system, such as recipes, menus and manuals. Every franchisee and their teams are required to maintain the confidentiality of this information.Item 15&nbsp;outlines the required commitment to the restaurant, including hands-on involvement. Each Layne’s restaurant must have an on-site operations manager; in some cases, this will be you. If you are investing as a franchise group, the operations manager must maintain an ownership interest of at least 10%. The designated operations manager must be dedicated, full-time, to the operation of the restaurant.<h2>Items 19 and 20: Performance and Validation</h2>Both Items 19 and 20 address the performance of the system and provide valuable figures to support the buying process.Item 19 is where a franchisor can make financial representations, if they choose to. Anything disclosed in Item 19 is not a performance guarantee. Rather, it is a data point candidates can use to get an idea of how they may perform. Still, it’s important to review as it can provide helpful context regarding the potential return on investment.In its 2026 FDD, Layne’s discloses the performance of 15 franchised restaurants that operated the entire 2025 calendar year. It also outlines gross revenue data by model:<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td>Average</td><td>Low</td><td>Median</td><td>High</td></tr><tr><td>Traditional Restaurant Total Gross Revenue</td><td>$2,206,127</td><td>$1,535,827</td><td>$2,196,905</td><td>$2,949,615</td></tr><tr><td>Non-Traditional Restaurant Total Gross Revenue</td><td>$1,263,580</td><td>$590,712</td><td>$1,235,993</td><td>$2,490,240</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>While Item 19 is a helpful tool for evaluating financial performance, Item 20 will help you evaluate Layne’s recent growth and its performance with respect to expansion. Item 20 is the systemwide outlet summary and reports 40 open restaurants at the end of 2025, representing 21 units added over the course of the year.&nbsp;A crucial part of Item 20 is Layne’s attached Exhibit D, which lists current and former, if any, franchisees’ information. This is an invaluable resource during the validation process. Review the numbers and unit history outlined in the document, but speak with the people who have actually done it, too. In these conversations, you can ask Layne’s franchisees about their experience of Layne’s ownership, the support the franchisor offers and information on any other details the franchisor may not be able to legally disclose or discuss during the sales process.<h2>The FDD as Part of a Holistic Due Diligence Process</h2>Reviewing the FDD is just one part of a larger due diligence process, but it’s certainly an important one. You should review the entire document, likely in partnership with a legal and/or financial advisor, to ensure you have a complete understanding of the opportunity.Combining the information in the FDD with information gleaned from conversations with the leadership team and current franchisees will help you develop a complete understanding of the opportunity and ultimately decide if you’re ready to join the Soon to be Famous™ chicken finger franchise.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers">https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers</a>.&nbsp;

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The FDD is a crucial resource for franchise due diligence. In its 2026 FDD, Layne’s details its leadership, investment costs, training requirements and financial performance representations.

How to Read Layne’s Chicken Fingers’ 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document

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Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit, and Data for 2026

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Who Is the Ideal Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchisee?

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FRISCO, Texas&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://layneschickenfranchising.com/">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the Soon to be Famous™ Texas-based chicken finger franchise, is celebrating another growth milestone.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/elimcohen/">Eli Cohen</a>, founder of C5 Restaurants, has expanded his agreement with&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> to add five additional units in San Antonio and build the brand’s Arkansas presence to at least 10 restaurants, with the long-term goal of developing 20-plus across the state. As the brand’s biggest developer, Cohen’s development plans now represent over 55 restaurants for Layne’s.“We at C5 are excited for this growth with Layne’s. From day one, the Layne’s leadership team has felt like true partners to us. They’re smart, grounded and focused on sustainable growth,” Cohen said. “The decision to expand our relationship with Layne’s while creating a runway for growth in another state was an easy one. We see Layne’s as not just a brand but a platform with which we can&nbsp;build great teams and great communities across South and West Texas and Arkansas, and scaling our unit count allows us to further scale our impact.”The C5 team recently opened Layne’s newest location in Arkansas at 19425 Cantrell Road, which is the fourth in the state. Building on the presence in Chenal, Hot Springs, Benton and North Little Rock, Cohen is targeting 20-plus more restaurants across the state and is actively sourcing new sites.Alongside the Arkansas expansion, the team has continued to drive growth across Texas. In the first quarter, Cohen added five additional units to his San Antonio development agreement and has already secured a site on Marbach Road. There are also two C5 openings in the San Antonio area slated for late summer 2026. Cohen notes that population growth in San Antonio is headed west, and as such, he’s focused on disciplined growth in this direction.In addition to steady market expansion, C5 is also preparing for the brand’s entry into Lubbock with its unit at 7902 University Ave., which will be the first of four in the market and Layne’s 50th location, slated to open in early June. The next two Lubbock restaurants will open in quick succession (July and August), further building on the momentum and setting the stage for the final Lubbock restaurant, a ground-up development, to open early next year.“Eli and the C5 team are exactly the kind of operators we want growing with us,” said Layne’s CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-reed-5a724a152/">Garrett Reed</a>. “They understand the brand, they know how to build strong local teams, and they’re helping us reach a major milestone with our 50th location in Lubbock. As Layne’s continues to grow, partners like C5 are going to be a big part of bringing the brand to more communities across the country.”C5 Restaurants’ expansion with Layne’s is a key driver of growth in what’s shaping up to be a record-breaking year for the brand. With its 50th location on the horizon and a consistently growing pipeline, the Soon to be Famous™ chicken finger franchise continues to leverage its operational prowess and relationship-driven culture to drive its healthy expansion.ABOUT LAYNE'S CHICKEN FINGERS:Founded in 1994 in College Station, Texas, Layne’s Chicken Fingers built its reputation on hand-breaded crispy tenders, iconic secret sauce and genuine hospitality. What started as a local favorite near Texas A&amp;M University has grown into one of the fastest-rising chicken finger brands in the country, known for its crave-worthy menu, playful personality and loyal fanbase. With over 50 locations open and rapid expansion underway, Layne’s is bringing its signature chicken finger experience to communities nationwide.For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.layneschickenfingers.com">www.layneschickenfingers.com</a>.&nbsp;

Led by Eli Cohen, the restaurant and real estate development group has continued its growth across Texas and opened its first Arkansas location as it prepares to open Layne’s 50th restaurant.

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Kingsland, GA —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.layneschickenfingers.com/">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the fast-growing, 45+ location chicken finger franchise known for its hand-breaded crispy tenders, crave-worthy sauces and Texas toast–stacked sandwiches, is bringing the crunch to Kingsland with a grand opening celebration on May 30th at 1341 Boone St., Kingsland, GA 31548.To celebrate, the first 50 dine-in guests will receive free Layne’s for a year, giving early visitors a very delicious reason to line up.The new restaurant marks&nbsp;<a href="https://layneschickenfranchising.com/">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>’ third location in Georgia and introduces the community to the chicken finger brand that has built a loyal following and fueled rapid expansion across the U.S. (Fair warning: these tenders may ruin other tenders for you.)Dutch McNeal joins Layne’s Chicken Fingers with more than a decade of entrepreneurial experience, having successfully owned and operated an independent insurance agency for 12 years. McNeal transitioned into the franchise world, drawn to Layne's unique culture and its "Soon to be Famous" reputation. Now spearheading the brand's growth in Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida, McNeal is committed to bringing high-speed service and a community-focused atmosphere to the Kingsland area."After 12 years in the insurance industry, I wanted to invest in something that was as much about people and culture as it was about a great product," said McNeal. "The food is incredible and the environment is unpretentious. We’re here to give Kingsland a great atmosphere and a team that loves what they do. I’m looking forward to building a team that makes every guest feel like part of the Layne’s family."The Kingsland location will serve Layne’s full menu of chicken finger meals, sandwiches and sides, including its signature chicken finger baskets, Texas toast–stacked sandwiches and fan-favorite chicken club topped with brisket bacon and American cheese. Guests can pair their meal with Layne’s lineup of dipping sauces, from the brand’s signature house sauce to jalapeño ranch, honey mustard, BBQ and gravy.The Kingsland opening is the latest milestone in Layne’s continued growth across Georgia, following recent openings in Texas and Arkansas with additional planned development in&nbsp;“We’re thrilled to continue our growth in Georgia with the Kingsland opening and to have an experienced entrepreneur like Dutch McNeal leading the way. Dutch’s background in building successful businesses and his commitment to people-first leadership make him a great partner. As we march toward our goal of 30+ additional openings this year, it’s partnerships with dedicated local operators like Dutch that allow us to expand while staying true to our Texas roots,” said Garrett Reed, Chief Executive Officer of Layne’s Chicken Fingers.With plans for 30+ additional openings in 2026, Layne’s continues to expand strategically nationwide through strong franchise partnerships and disciplined growth.Let’s just say, Kingsland is about to get hit with warm hospitality and hot chicken.&nbsp;ABOUT LAYNE’S CHICKEN FINGERSFounded in 1994 in College Station, Texas, Layne’s Chicken Fingers built its reputation on hand-breaded crispy tenders, iconic secret sauce and genuine hospitality. What started as a local favorite near Texas A&amp;M University has grown into one of the fastest-rising chicken finger brands in the country, known for its crave-worthy menu, playful personality and loyal fanbase. With more than 40 locations open and rapid expansion underway, Layne’s is bringing its signature chicken finger experience to communities nationwide.For more information, visit<a href="http://www.layneschickenfingers.com"> www.layneschickenfingers.com</a>.

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Dutch McNeal opens Layne’s Chicken Fingers in Kingsland as part of the brand’s continued expansion in Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida.

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Brings the Crunch to Kingsland with May 30th Grand Opening and Free Layne’s for a Year

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Mount Pleasant, TX —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.layneschickenfingers.com/">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the fast-growing, 45+ location chicken finger franchise known for its hand-breaded crispy tenders, crave-worthy sauces and Texas toast–stacked sandwiches, is bringing the crunch to Mount Pleasant on May 26th at 1000 S. Jefferson Ave, Mt Pleasant, TX 75455.The new restaurant marks&nbsp;<a href="https://layneschickenfranchising.com/">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>’ 4th location in East Texas and introduces the community to the chicken finger brand that has built a loyal following and fueled rapid expansion across the U.S. (Fair warning: these tenders may ruin other tenders for you.)Taylor Thomas is a seasoned veteran in the Texas fast-food scene. Before joining Layne’s, Thomas grew up in the Whataburger system, eventually operating 23 locations and managing over 2,000 employees. Now, he’s spearheading a massive 25-unit development deal to bring the cult-favorite chicken brand to East Texas and Oklahoma. This opening follows the openings of Thomas’s location in Nacogdoches, Tyler and Palestine."After years of operating in the Texas fast-food landscape, I knew immediately that Layne's had something special. The quality of the food is incredible and they’ve built a culture that doesn't take itself too seriously," said Thomas. "We’ve seen fantastic receptions with our recent openings in Nacogdoches, Tyler and Palestine, and we are incredibly excited to bring that same high-energy, cult-favorite experience to Mount Pleasant.'"The Mount Pleasant location will serve Layne’s full menu of chicken finger meals, sandwiches and sides, including its signature chicken finger baskets, Texas toast–stacked sandwiches and fan-favorite chicken club topped with brisket bacon and American cheese. Guests can pair their meal with Layne’s lineup of dipping sauces, from the brand’s signature house sauce to jalapeño ranch, honey mustard, BBQ and gravy.The Mount Pleasant opening is the latest milestone in Layne’s continued growth across Texas, following recent openings in Georgia and Arkansas.&nbsp;"Expanding our footprint in East Texas is always a milestone for us, but doing it alongside a seasoned operator like Taylor makes it even better," said Garrett Reed, Chief Executive Officer of Layne’s Chicken Fingers. "Taylor knows exactly what it takes to scale a brand while keeping the guest experience front and center. Mount Pleasant marks another major step forward in our goal of 30+ additional openings this year, and we couldn't be prouder to have Taylor leading the charge as we bring Layne's to more communities across East Texas and beyond."&nbsp;With plans for 30+ additional openings in 2026, Layne’s continues to expand strategically nationwide through strong franchise partnerships and disciplined growth.Let’s just say, Mount Pleasant is about to get hit with warm welcomes and hot chicken.&nbsp;ABOUT LAYNE’S CHICKEN FINGERSFounded in 1994 in College Station, Texas, Layne’s Chicken Fingers built its reputation on hand-breaded crispy tenders, iconic secret sauce and genuine hospitality. What started as a local favorite near Texas A&amp;M University has grown into one of the fastest-rising chicken finger brands in the country, known for its crave-worthy menu, playful personality and loyal fanbase. With more than 40 locations open and rapid expansion underway, Layne’s is bringing its signature chicken finger experience to communities nationwide.For more information, visit<a href="http://www.layneschickenfingers.com"> www.layneschickenfingers.com</a>.

Photo of Layne's Chicken Fingers sandwich

Taylor Thomas opens Layne’s Chicken Fingers in Mount Pleasant as part of the growing brand’s continued expansion in Texas.

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Brings the Crunch to Mount Pleasant on May 26th 

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Little Rock, AR —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.layneschickenfingers.com/">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the fast-growing, 45+ location chicken finger franchise known for its hand-breaded crispy tenders, crave-worthy sauces and Texas toast–stacked sandwiches, is bringing the crunch to the Chenal area of West Little Rock with a grand opening celebration on May 16th at 19524 Cantrell Rd, Little Rock, AR 72223.To celebrate, Layne’s will surprise and delight the first 50 dine-in guests with free Layne’s for a year, giving early visitors a very delicious reason to line up.The new restaurant marks&nbsp;<a href="https://layneschickenfranchising.com/">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>’ fourth location in Arkansas, expanding its footprint in the community as the brand continues to build a loyal following and fuel rapid growth across the U.S. (Fair warning: these tenders may ruin other tenders for you.)The opening marks the fourth Arkansas location operated by C5 Restaurants, the multi-brand QSR platform led by Eli Cohen, joining three existing Layne's locations C5 operates across the state. C5 is the largest developer in the Layne's system, with a 55-unit development pipeline across Texas and Arkansas, the biggest commitment in the brand's history. C5 also owns and operates six Fazoli's locations in West Texas, where the company holds the #1 average unit volume ranking in the entire Fazoli's system."What we've built at C5 is an operating platform, disciplined real estate, strong unit-level economics, and a team that knows how to run restaurants," said Eli Cohen, Owner and Managing Member of C5 Restaurants. "Being the top AUV operator in Fazoli's taught us what great execution looks like at the store level. We're bringing that same operating standard to every Layne's we open. Little Rock and the Chenal community are going to feel the difference the moment they walk in."C5's operating approach centers on three things: density over scattered expansion, deep investment in store-level teams, and disciplined site selection backed by institutional real estate partnerships. That same playbook is now being applied across the Arkansas market, where C5 is layering new builds and conversions on top of its existing footprint.The West Little Rock, Chenal location will serve Layne’s full menu of chicken finger meals, sandwiches and sides, including its signature chicken finger baskets, Texas toast–stacked sandwiches and fan-favorite chicken club topped with beef bacon and American cheese. Guests can pair their meal with Layne’s lineup of dipping sauces, from the brand’s signature Layne’s sauce to jalapeño ranch, ranch, honey mustard, BBQ and gravy.The Little Rock opening is the latest milestone in Layne’s continued growth across the U.S., following recent openings in Palestine, TX, Rockwall, TX and Waycross, GA, with additional development planned in Lubbock, TX and Kingsland, GA."Eli and the C5 team are exactly the kind of operating partner every emerging brand wants, proven, numbers-driven, and obsessed with execution," said Garrett Reed, Chief Executive Officer of Layne's Chicken Fingers. "They've already shown what they can do in Fazoli's with the top AUVs in that system, and they're bringing that same operating discipline to Layne's as our largest developer. Watching them build density in Arkansas and Texas is a huge vote of confidence in the brand and in the unit economics we've built."With plans for 35 additional openings in 2026, Layne’s continues to expand strategically nationwide through strong franchise partnerships and disciplined growth.Let’s just say, Little Rock is about to get a whole lot crispier.ABOUT C5 RESTAURANTS&nbsp;C5 Restaurants is a Texas-based multi-brand QSR operator and developer led by Eli Cohen. C5 is the largest developer in the Layne's Chicken Fingers system, with a 55-unit pipeline across Texas and Arkansas, and operates six Fazoli's locations in West Texas, where it holds the #1 average unit volume ranking in the Fazoli's system. C5 combines institutional real estate discipline with an operator-first, people-first culture to build durable restaurant platforms in the markets it serves.ABOUT LAYNE’S CHICKEN FINGERSFounded in 1994 in College Station, Texas, Layne’s Chicken Fingers built its reputation on hand-breaded crispy tenders, iconic secret sauce and genuine hospitality. What started as a local favorite near Texas A&amp;M University has grown into one of the fastest-rising chicken finger brands in the country, known for its crave-worthy menu, playful personality and loyal fanbase. With more than 44 locations open and rapid expansion underway, Layne’s is bringing its signature chicken finger experience to communities nationwide.For more information, visit<a href="http://www.layneschickenfingers.com"> www.layneschickenfingers.com</a>.

C5 Restaurants, the largest developer in the Layne’s system, opens Layne’s Chicken Fingers in Little Rock, the brand’s fourth in Arkansas.

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Brings the Crunch to Little Rock with May 16th Grand Opening and Free Layne’s for a Year

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FRISCO, Texas&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="http://layneschickenfranchising.com">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the Texas “Born and Breaded” chicken finger franchise, has seen rapid growth in recent years, and demand only continues to rise. Kicking off 2026, the brand awarded more than 50 new restaurants to new franchise partners across Victoria, Texas; Sacramento and Fresno, California; northeastern Pennsylvania; and Charlotte, North Carolina (a 27-unit agreement).&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> also continued expansion with existing owners, including expansion deals signed for Oklahoma, San Antonio and the entire state of Arkansas. As the development pipeline grows, the brand’s footprint does, too; four new restaurants opened across Georgia and Texas in the early months of 2026.“The excitement about Layne’s only continues to grow,” said CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-reed-5a724a152">Garrett Reed</a>. “The start of this year has been very busy as we’ve signed agreements with new and existing franchisees, opened new restaurants, and executed 16 leases for future development. Throughout all of this growth, we’ve maintained our focus on partnering with the right people in the right markets and ensuring the Layne’s experience our guests know and love remains intact.”The opening of Layne’s in Waycross, Georgia, was the brand’s second restaurant in the state and marked its entry into a new market. Still, the brand received an incredibly warm welcome. Layne’s also continued expanding across its home state of Texas with a unique endcap drive-thru location in Leander, a new restaurant in Rosenberg that maintained strong momentum without a post-grand-opening sales dip, a well-received opening in Rockwall, and a standout debut in Palestine that delivered a record-breaking opening week, further reinforcing the brand’s strong performance across both established and emerging Texas markets.In addition to its growth, as measured by sheer numbers, Layne’s earned its inaugural placement on the highly competitive&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500">Franchise 500</a> list, where it ranked No. 366. Recognized for its growth, support and strength as a model, it’s clear Layne’s position in the larger chicken restaurant space is growing, too.“I feel very strongly that the best validation we could ask for is a franchisee making the choice to invest their funds, time and energy in our brand,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-wattar-0a4187a/">Samir Wattar</a>, Chief Operating Officer. “Signing agreements with both new owners and current owners who are pleased with how they’re doing with Layne’s speaks to what we’re doing. And earning a placement on one of the most competitive franchise rankings in the industry, based on real data from our system, on one of the most competitive franchise rankings in the industry only makes Layne’s shine even more.”While footprint growth continues to be a point of focus, the leadership team has also dedicated resources to structural growth, developing the tools and people necessary to support franchisees and maintain the high-performance culture as it prepares for upcoming openings and continues to add new owners to the equation.After kicking off 2026 with a bang, Layne’s is looking forward to the launch of a new loyalty app, continued structural development and targeted growth in strategic markets to drive its success through the end of the year.ABOUT LAYNE'S CHICKEN FINGERS:Founded in 1994 in College Station, Texas, Layne’s Chicken Fingers built its reputation on hand-breaded crispy tenders, iconic secret sauce and genuine hospitality. What started as a local favorite near Texas A&amp;M University has grown into one of the fastest-rising chicken finger brands in the country, known for its crave-worthy menu, playful personality and loyal fanbase. With more than 40 locations open and rapid expansion underway, Layne’s is bringing its signature chicken finger experience to communities nationwide.For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.layneschickenfingers.com">www.layneschickenfingers.com</a>.&nbsp;

Photo of person holding Layne's Chicken Fingers wrap, pouring sauce

The Soon to be Famous™ chicken finger franchise awarded deals across multiple states, opened four new restaurants and signed leases for 16, setting the stage for a productive second quarter.

Why Layne’s Chicken Fingers Shines as the Real Chicken Finger Contender: What Franchisees Should Know

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