Layne's Chicken Fingers

Jake Willett, the former owner of an incredibly successful Denver-based landscaping business, is taking a leap of faith. After selling his landscaping business to a private equity firm, Willett began looking for his next opportunity. Following the numbers, he decided to break into the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry, signing a multi-unit deal with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the Soon to be Famous™ chicken finger franchise.Willett will develop at least 10&nbsp;<a href="http://layneschickenfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=former-landscape-entrepreneur-makes-the-leap-to-qsr-with-laynes-franchise-plans-to-develop-across-arkansas-2725331" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Layne’s</a> restaurants across the state and plans to make Layne’s the best regional brand in his market.1851 Franchise spoke with Willett to learn more about his journey to franchising and plans for the future.FEATURE QUESTIONS1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Willett:&nbsp;Before Layne’s, I had a pretty large landscape maintenance business in Denver. I built it from the ground up, and it grew into one of the largest in the state pretty quickly. I had been confronted about selling it multiple times, and finally, it was the right time and circumstances.I sold that in 2021 and stayed on with the private equity group that bought it for about a year. Over the last six months, I have been exploring different QSR options and ultimately worked with Layne’s to finalize our deal.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?Willett:&nbsp;I have friends who have done it, and I know their stories. I knew I’d have to find an operating partner; he’ll be joining me. I knew, generally, what to expect, but never having been in the franchise or restaurant world, there’s a lot to learn. It has been a fantastic experience so far, but I know I have a long way to go.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Willett:&nbsp;I like the real estate piece. The fact that there is an entire real estate team who will help with site selection — that was the biggest thing for me. I felt like, if I did everything I was supposed to do, they weren’t going to let me fail with site selection. Having the team that they have in place, operationally, was another major factor for me.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Willett:&nbsp;I’d like to exceed 10 units. We want to be the best regional brand in the area and be able to give back to the community. I look forward to going out and building another business.1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Willett:&nbsp;I didn’t come from the QSR industry or restaurants. I am just following the numbers. There is growth within the market and strong future demand. It really is an exploding market segment that’s got a lot of potential.ABOUT LAYNE'S CHICKEN FINGERSFounded in 1994 in College Station, the original location became a Texas A&amp;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.&nbsp;Franchise opportunities range from $545,000 to $1,190,000 with different buildout options available. Learn more about franchising<a href="https://www.layneschickenfingers.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=former-landscape-entrepreneur-makes-the-leap-to-qsr-with-laynes-franchise-plans-to-develop-across-arkansas-2725331" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;here</a>.

Layne's Chicken Fingers Franchisee Plans to Develop Across AR

1851 Franchise

After selling his wildly successful landscaping business, Jake Willett was looking for his next opportunity and signed a deal with the chicken finger franchise to develop his entire state.

Former Landscape Entrepreneur Makes the Leap to QSR With Layne’s Franchise, Plans To Develop Across Arkansas

former-landscape-entrepreneur-makes-the-leap-to-qsr-with-laynes-franchise-plans-to-develop-across-arkansas

FRANCHISE INFORMATION

Own a Layne's Chicken Fingers

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Growth

Franchisee Highlight

Why Layne's Chicken Fingers

Superior Training & Support

Learn

Visit Website

LAYNE'S CHICKEN FINGERS

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

YouTube

SOCIAL MEDIA

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Quadruples Growth in Q1, Targets 45-Unit Mark for 2025

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Supports Franchisees With Top-Notch Development Team

Texas Layne’s Franchisee Secures Real Estate in Nacogdoches, Set To Open in 2025

LAYNE'S CHICKEN FINGERS MOST READ STORIES

1851 LOGIN

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

ABOUT LAYNE'S CHICKEN FINGERS

CONTACT LAYNE'S CHICKEN FINGERS

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

First Name

Last Name

Email

Phone

City Of Interest

Why are you interested in owning?

When do you envision becoming a franchise owner?

Do you have $300,000 without the bank to invest?

READY TO OWN A LAYNE'S CHICKEN FINGERS?

Design with photos of six Layne's Chicken Fingers franchisees and the Layne's logo

Why Franchisees Love Layne’s: Support, Culture and Growth

why-franchise-with-laynes

image of a laynes chicke fingers franchise resturaunt building opening

Layne’s Chicken Fingers’ First Franchisee Opens 7 Restaurants in 4 Years With 3 More on the Way

laynes-first-franchisee-houston-expansion

Layne's Chicken Fingers-50 Unit-Wendy's-Franchisee-June-2025

Why This 50 Unit Wendy’s Franchisee Is Betting on Layne’s for His Next Big Move

wendys-franchisee-expands-with-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

photo-of-laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

23-Year-Old Entrepreneur Brings Soon to Be Famous Chicken™ to Southern Oregon With 3-Unit Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchise Signing

laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

Photo of Layne's Chicken Fingers leadership - Matt O'Reilly, Samir Wattar, and Garrett Reed

3 Questions With the Layne’s Leadership Team: What Franchisees Want to Know

laynes-franchise-leadership-questions

Photo of exterior of Layne's Chicken Fingers restaurant

Layne’s Chicken Fingers To Relocate Second College Station Restaurant, Debut New Prototype

laynes-chicken-fingers-college-station-wellborn-relocation-prototype

Photo of Layne's Chicken Fingers tender basket and drink

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Recognized on Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2025 100 Under 100

laynes-chicken-fingers-recognized-on-nations-restaurant-news-2025-100-under-100

Photo of exterior of Layne's Chicken Fingers location with red lights around roof

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Closed July With 3 Franchise Agreements Signed and 3 New Restaurants Opened

laynes-franchise-growth-july-2025

Former Landscape Entrepreneur Makes the Leap to QSR With Layne’s Franchise, Plans To Develop Across Arkansas

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS