Layne's Chicken Fingers

After playing baseball professionally for 10 years,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-sutton-61622092/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=former-mlb-player-signs-to-open-6-laynes-chicken-fingers-franchises-in-nashville-area-2725097" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Drew Sutton</a> decided it was time for a career change that would let him spend more time with his family. After managing three successful Jersey Mike’s Subs franchises in Dallas, Sutton got the call from some old teammates in 2021 to move to Nashville and help start a training facility for young athletes. Never one to turn down an opportunity, Sutton made the move to Tennessee.Having left one profitable franchise behind, Sutton decided to start anew in Nashville. After his sons complained about the lack of good chicken tenders in the area, Sutton once again saw an opportunity and jumped at it. He contacted&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the Soon to be Famous™ chicken franchise based in Dallas and convinced them to let him open six stores in the South Nashville area down to Columbia and Murfreesboro. He’s still early in the process, looking for a site for his first&nbsp;<a href="https://layneschickenfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=former-mlb-player-signs-to-open-6-laynes-chicken-fingers-franchises-in-nashville-area-2725097" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Layne’s</a> restaurant. However, he’s shooting to have that one up and running by the end of the year and hopes to open five more after that before eventually expanding into other parts of Nashville.1851 Franchise sat down and spoke with Sutton about his franchising journey with Layne’s Chicken Fingers, as well as the importance of community involvement and the lessons in teamwork that he’s bringing to his business.1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Sutton:&nbsp;The early part of my life, up until I was about 30, was baseball. I played professional baseball for 10 years. I was drafted by the Houston Astros in 2004, and then I played in the major leagues with Cincinnati, Cleveland, Boston, Tampa Bay, and Pittsburgh. I wanted to be a dad, but I was playing eight months out of the year, and that made things hard. I got into franchising because I wanted to start a family and be around them more.My first business was three Jersey Mike’s Subs in the Dallas area. My wife and I wanted to take over the location in Lubbock, but someone had already asked for the rights. We worked with the Dallas area director to open our stores in Plano, Allen, and McKinney. I went through the training and learned everything—from all the different sandwich making stations to cleaning toilets and washing dishes—because I needed to know all that stuff if I was going to train my managers to run things the way they needed to be run. So I was very much involved with the day-to-day operations.In August 2021, some friends of mine from my baseball career were looking to start a training facility in Nashville, to train young athletes. I’ve always had a passion for youth sports and I like the day-to-day working with the kids in skill development, so that’s what prompted me to move to Nashville and get involved with Layne’s.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?Sutton: I found out early on that I can’t run a store by myself. I need good people around me. I need people who have strengths that are different than mine, very much the way a baseball team works—not everybody can play shortstop or center. It takes different skill sets to play those positions, just like it takes someone with a certain skillset to be better at customer service, opening a store, or managing a shift.So now, I just hire good people who are going to take some pride in what they do and try to do a good job taking care of the customers. I put a lot of trust in my managers. I give them some freedom to make decisions and I support them. But I’m a big believer in the development aspect because all of my managers started off as hourly employees. One of my managers [from Jersey Mike’s] is going to come up here to Nashville and work on Layne’s with me. He’s going to be my first manager and then he’ll train the second manager and eventually become an area director, so he’s got a development path as well.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Sutton:&nbsp;In Dallas, there were a lot of different chicken tender concepts, but my sons always wanted to go to Layne’s. They thought the chicken was better. So when we moved up here to Nashville, my boys kept asking where the chicken tender places were, but there weren’t a lot to choose from. So, I reached out to Layne’s last August and flew back down to Dallas to meet with their corporate team… because I knew the product was good.Layne’s is early in their franchisee development. Even though they have less than 15 stores, they’ve got all the pieces in place, from real estate to operations to construction to marketing.&nbsp;[Chief Operating Officer]&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-wattar-0a4187a/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=former-mlb-player-signs-to-open-6-laynes-chicken-fingers-franchises-in-nashville-area-2725097" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Samir Wattar</a> really dials in those details of how things are going for the franchisee. I think he’s phenomenal at that.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Sutton: We’re starting out with a growing area that’s just south of downtown Nashville, down to Columbia and Murfreesboro. It’s the area we live in and it’s the area we spend most of our time in, so I see potentially developing six stores in that area and then hopefully growing into the rest of the Nashville area. I know the product is good and I know the manager I’m bringing up here does a phenomenal job. It’s going to be about finding the right locations.One of the things I’ve talked to Layne’s about is getting involved with the local sports leagues, schools, and charities. Of course, you need businesses to make money, but there’s more to it than that. How can we use these businesses to make a positive impact in the local area?1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Sutton:&nbsp;It was an interesting transition from baseball to restaurants. Teaching and development was something I didn’t have to do in baseball. I was only responsible for myself, so moving into the restaurant business really challenged me. How am I going to train my employees? What kind of approach will I have?&nbsp;What I’ve really enjoyed about doing the restaurants is being able to work with people and have more of a development mindset. Like I said earlier, all of my managers started as hourly employees, and I take a lot of pride in that.When I was playing baseball, I had to spend a lot of time learning and training, and I had to work extremely hard. That’s the kind of mindset I want to bring to the restaurants. If you have a work ethic and a good attitude, I can teach you how to do restaurants. I can teach you how to make chicken the right way, but I can’t teach you how to care.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Sutton:&nbsp;I would say this is probably the biggest thing I wish I could go back and tell myself. It’s tough to do, but you should hire people for the store you want to have rather than the store you have now. If you’re willing to pay more to hire a good manager, you’re going to have a better-run store, which means people are going to enjoy coming to that store more, which means your sales are going to be better. So, if I’m going to be successful, I have to invest in my people.Also, go out and find your own opportunities. Don’t expect someone to just hand them to you. When I was playing baseball, I had to go out and get them myself. I want there to be opportunities for my employees, but for that, they’ve got to go out and get them the same way.For more information on franchising with Layne’s Chicken Fingers, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers">https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers</a> ABOUT LAYNE'S CHICKEN FINGERS&nbsp;Founded 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. Franchise opportunities range from $656,000 - $1,280,500 with different buildout options available. Learn more about franchising<a href="https://www.layneschickenfingers.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&amp%3Butm_medium=article&amp%3Butm_campaign=middle-school-best-friends-take-on-franchising-with-laynes-chicken-fingers-2724403&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=former-mlb-player-signs-to-open-6-laynes-chicken-fingers-franchises-in-nashville-area-2725097" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;here</a>.

Sutton Expands with 6 Layne’s Chicken Fingers in Nashville

1851 Franchise

For Drew Sutton, running a franchise business is all about being with his family, giving back to the community and providing his new team with opportunities for development.

Former MLB Player Signs to Open 6 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchises in Nashville Area

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Layne’s Chicken Fingers Signs Landmark 44-Restaurant Deal, Shatters Records in Monumental Third Quarter

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 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Signs 44-Unit Deal, Reaches Near-Total Market Saturation Across Home State

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Doug McGuire, a long-time entrepreneur, began his franchise journey with H&amp;R Block nearly 30 years ago. After consistent operations, McGuire and his family made the decision to diversify their portfolio and took the leap into the restaurant space with Arby’s nearly 20 years ago. Again, the business brought steady success, but as the family grew and began to saturate their market, they needed to further diversify.“Growth for Arby’s in Ohio has slowed because the market is quite saturated,” McGuire said. “I wanted to keep growing, which meant looking for a new brand.”McGuire recognized the potential of the booming chicken market, specifically noting that chicken appeals to all ages and demographics, and began exploring opportunities in the space.<h2>Identifying the Perfect Addition</h2>Within the chicken market, McGuire was quickly drawn to&nbsp;<a href="https://layneschickenfranchising.com/">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the Texas “Born and Breaded” chicken finger franchise. And after visiting Texas to try the chicken fingers for himself, he knew the brand had real potential.“The product is great,” McGuire said. “I believe it’s a superior product compared to competitors, and it just needs more notoriety and exposure.”<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> is also in a unique growth stage, which appealed to McGuire as well. With a highly experienced leadership team, McGuire knew Layne’s could offer the structures and support necessary to drive growth. However, because the brand is still relatively young in the franchise space, there is plenty of potential, specifically in the North Central Ohio market.“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,” he said. “What excites me most is the opportunity to grow within my area and expand into a large market with a good product.”By bringing Layne’s to North Central Ohio, McGuire is filling a gap in the market that Arby’s doesn’t address, and he’s doing it with a brand that offers plenty of runway for meaningful scale in a market where legacy brands have already peaked.<h2>Leveraging a Tested Model</h2>While he’s moving into a new segment within the restaurant industry, McGuire is sticking with the systems and models that have defined his nearly 30 years of entrepreneurial success. Hey says a strong franchisor can remove the guesswork that comes with independent business ownership and provide a blueprint that allows for quick, healthy growth.“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,” he said.&nbsp;In addition to the business model, McGuire felt a strong draw to the brand’s leadership and culture. While Layne’s is growing rapidly, its leadership team is committed to protecting the brand and protecting the franchisee, maintaining the family-like culture that has driven a unique Layne’s experience throughout the lifetime of the brand.“I also connected with the Layne's team, which felt like a very small, family-oriented team,” McGuire said. “This aligns with my own background.”<h2>A Vehicle for a Family Legacy</h2>This family culture was also a key consideration as McGuire thought about the future of the business. While his development agreement is a smart addition to both his portfolio and the local restaurant landscape, it also lays a foundation for McGuire to begin building a deep family legacy.McGuire says he anticipates at least a couple of his five children will come back to work in the business, and it will span generations.In the early stages, he’s focused on a strong start in the North Central Ohio market.“I’d like to have 10 [Layne’s] open tomorrow if I could,” he said. “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.”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 This Arby’s Franchisee Diversified With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

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C5 Restaurants Grows its Texas Footprint with 40 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Locations Planned Statewide

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Layne's Opening Blueprint Drives Success From Day One

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Why This University of Texas Alum Invested in Layne’s Chicken Fingers

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FRISCO, Texas&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="http://layneschickenfranchising.com">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the rapidly growing chicken finger franchise, closed out 2025 with historic growth, doubling its restaurant count and achieving record financial performance. Entering 2026 with 40 restaurants open and 10 new franchise owners in the system,&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> is prepared for another landmark year as it works toward the longer-term vision of 300 units by 2030.Layne’s momentum has been reinforced by significant industry recognition. The brand was ranked&nbsp;<a href="https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/future-50-2025/laynes-chicken-fingers">No. 6 on Restaurant Business’s 2025 Future 50 list</a>, which recognizes emerging restaurant concepts demonstrating strong unit growth and systemwide sales performance. According to Restaurant Business, Layne’s posted a 50% year-over-year unit increase and a 67% increase in systemwide sales, with 2024 systemwide revenue reaching $30 million, placing the brand among the fastest-growing concepts in the country.Layne’s has also been named to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500">Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500® list</a>, ranking No. 366, further highlighting the brand’s rapid expansion, increasing franchise demand and emergence as a force within the competitive chicken category.&nbsp;“We opened 21 restaurants last year, which is 110% growth over the prior year,” said CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-reed-5a724a152/">Garrett Reed</a>. “We increased average unit volume across the system, and we brought on 10 new franchisees for a total of 40 restaurants awarded. We also developed the organization further to provide better support to our franchisees.”Layne’s impressive growth included a monumental 44-unit agreement, a 15-unit expansion by Wisconsin franchise owners and agreements signed by franchisees of other major brands like Wendy’s and Arby’s.In line with the unit growth, Layne’s also welcomed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliehurley/">Natalie Hurley</a> as vice president of brand marketing and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cuyler-e-51047a2a/">Cuyler Esposito</a> as vice president of culture and operations and promoted&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-camp-b7549387">Alex Camp</a> to vice president of operations services.“From day one, our goal wasn’t to sell franchises; our goal was to build an organization that provides services to the franchisees, and we’ve done that every year,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-wattar-0a4187a/">Samir Wattar</a>, chief operating officer. “If you look at our manpower growth compared to our restaurant growth, that’s clear. We now have 40 restaurants open, and we have 28 employees in the home office. We’re building a support organization for a brand that we’re really passionate about.”As Layne’s looks toward 2026, the team is looking forward to an additional 40 restaurant openings, continued revenue growth and thoughtful footprint expansion. With a powerful support team and strong logistical framework, Layne’s maintains its focus on strategic national growth, emphasizing franchisee alignment and cultural fits on the path to 300 units.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;&nbsp;Franchise opportunities range from $451,500 to $1,050,000 with different buildout options available. Learn more about franchising&nbsp;<a href="http://layneschickenfranchising.com">here</a>.

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

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FRISCO, Texas&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://layneschickenfranchising.com/">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the Texas “born and breaded” chicken finger franchise with 30 open restaurants and another 300 sold, was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/future-50-2025/laynes-chicken-fingers">ranked No. 6</a> on Restaurant Business’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/future-50-2025">2025 Future 50</a> list. A compilation of growing restaurant concepts, the ranking looks at brands that have seen consistent unit count and sales growth. The brands are then ranked based on their 2024 systemwide sales.This year, chicken concepts dominated the list, and&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> rose to the top.“We’re honored to have been ranked highly on the Restaurant Business Future 50 list,” said CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-reed-5a724a152/">Garrett Reed</a>. “We have consistently emphasized the financial strength of our model, focusing on positioning our franchisees for success, but never at the expense of the guest experience or franchisee support.”Restaurant Business reports that, in 2024, Layne’s saw a year-over-year unit increase of 50% and a year-over-year sales increase of 67%. With 2024 systemwide sales sitting at $30 million, it’s clear the affinity for Layne’s is growing, and as its unit growth exposes it to new guests in new markets, franchisees are experiencing exponential financial returns.“As we continue our expansion, we’re working to reach the 45-unit mark by the end of the year and award additional multi-unit franchise agreements,” Reed said. “Throughout this growth, we remain committed to growing the team at our home office, too, to ensure the scaffolding is there before we need it. By staying true to our commitment to protect the brand and protect the franchisee, I’m optimistic about the future of Layne’s and our ability to continue along the remarkable footprint and financial growth trajectory that earned us recognition by Restaurant Business.”Layne’s dedication to finding what it’s good at (chicken fingers) and becoming great at it, careful supply chain management, unwavering franchisee support and guest service “15 times better” than the food itself has created a truly unique franchise opportunity, setting the stage for driven entrepreneurs to grow with an outstanding concept in the high-demand chicken space.&nbsp;With ongoing growth on the horizon, Layne’s is targeting markets in Virginia, Oklahoma, Indiana, Florida and more.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;&nbsp; Franchise opportunities range from $451,500 to $1,050,000 with different buildout options available. Learn more about franchising&nbsp;<a href="https://layneschickenfranchising.com/">here</a>.

Layne's Chicken Fingers Ranked No. 6 on Restaurant Business Future 50 Ranking

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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 officially been named to Entrepreneur’s 2026&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500">Franchise 500</a> list, ranked at No. 366. The recognition highlights&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> rapid expansion, increasing franchise demand and its emergence as an undeniable force in the chicken industry.The Franchise 500 is one of the most competitive and comprehensive franchise rankings, evaluating more than 150 data points surrounding unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power to determine the rankings.“A placement on the Franchise 500 list is a major milestone for us, and it validates the hard work of everyone throughout the Layne’s system,” said CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-reed-5a724a152">Garrett Reed</a>. “We’ve consistently emphasized franchise success, driving both unit-level performance and footprint growth, but we’ve focused on doing so without sacrificing the guest experience. This recognition speaks to our ability to maintain our quality on all fronts, bringing an attractive offering to guests and franchisees alike, as we gain momentum as an up-and-coming national brand.”Layne’s landed on the Franchise 500 after a breakout year. In 2025, the brand grew to 40 open restaurants, and with 300 additional units awarded, it is building a pipeline for a broader national footprint.In addition to rapid expansion, Layne’s continues to see incredible performance in current restaurants with average unit volumes climbing in 2025 and multiple franchisees executing six-figure openings throughout the year.With a focused menu and continued emphasis on efficient operations, Layne’s offers a unique opportunity to enter the booming chicken market with a strong business model, dedicated support structure and long runway to lasting success.“Our placement on the Franchise 500 is a testament to Layne’s quality,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-wattar-0a4187a/">Samir Wattar</a>, chief operating officer. “We’re focused on healthy growth, and we’ve kept a close focus on operations and support as we’ve expanded. We want to make sure we have the resources in place before they’re needed, and this has clearly paid off.”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;&nbsp;Franchise opportunities range from $451,500 to $1,050,000 with different buildout options available. Learn more about franchising&nbsp;<a href="http://layneschickenfranchising.com">here</a>.

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Layne’s Chicken Fingers Ranked No. 366 on Entrepreneur’s 47th Annual Franchise 500

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<a href="https://layneschickenfranchising.com/">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the Soon to be FamousTM chicken finger franchise, has built a financially sound model by focusing on streamlined operations and a surprisingly simple philosophy: Find what you’re good at and become great at it.&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> has stayed away from broad, complex menus and focused intently on offering great chicken fingers and an even better guest experience. These priorities, combined with the continued support of the corporate team, allow franchisees to scale effectively and reach impressive revenue benchmarks relatively easily.“We’re consistently blown away by the numbers our franchisees are doing in the early days and weeks of operations,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-wattar-0a4187a/">Samir Wattar</a>, chief operating officer. “We used to be ecstatic when a franchisee had a six-figure opening, and now, that has become the norm, which is very exciting. And even better, our restaurants don’t see a major drop-off after the excitement of the opening dies down. They’re leveling out at really strong numbers.”<h2>Operational Efficiency Drives Easy Revenue</h2>The primary driver behind Layne’s financial performance is an operational model that’s specifically built for volume. With decades of restaurant experience, Wattar has honed in on the details of daily operations, looking at things like the number of inventory items each Layne’s requires and considering details as fine as which kitchen layout requires the fewest number of steps for each team member as they complete daily tasks.This model clears a path for high daily sales without the hectic atmosphere that some quick-service brands require.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasbergeson">Lucas Bergeson</a>, a multi-unit franchisee in Wisconsin, experienced this firsthand during a soft opening. After what felt like a slow start to the day, he checked sales numbers and was surprised to see the location had already hit $8,000 by the end of the dinner hour.“I thought, ‘This is the easiest $8,000 I’ve ever seen,’” he said. “We’ve done $8,000 a day in other concepts, and I just couldn’t believe it. We’ve said the same thing with 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 thousand dollars: ‘It shouldn’t be this easy.’ It almost seemed like it was too good to be true, but this is one of those rare instances where it has not proven to be too good to be true.”<h2>High-Volume Openings Continue To Validate Layne’s Financials</h2>Bergeson’s experience with an “easy $8,000” during his soft opening is not an anomaly. Franchisees across various markets consistently see this level of performance in their early days.In Warrenton, Virginia,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/khurram-burney-5545761b6/">Khurram Burney</a> saw incredible results within his first week of operations.&nbsp;“The community’s response to the new restaurant was so strong that there were cars backed up onto the highway,” he said. “There were cars flowing out of the parking lot, and the dining room was packed.”<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-thomas-0875b780">Taylor Thomas</a>, a multi-unit Texas franchisee, shared a similar story from his recent opening in Nacogdoches.&nbsp;“We spoke with the Layne’s corporate team to try to get an idea of what to expect,” Thomas said. “They told us what we might see in the first week, and we beat that on day three.”Strong operations and clear validation from the communities Layne’s enters have consistently driven early success for franchisees, but it’s important to note that this volume and financial stability extend well beyond the excitement of the early days to create high-performing restaurants year-round.<h2>How Much Can I Make With a Layne’s Franchise?</h2>Layne’s 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document backs these anecdotes up with annual numbers from six traditional standalone restaurants and four non-traditional restaurants in 2024.<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>$1,983,256</td><td>$1,614,592</td><td>$1,987,510</td><td>$2,257,743</td></tr><tr><td>Non-Traditional Restaurant Total Gross Revenue</td><td>$1,604,953</td><td>$773,267</td><td>$1,642,639</td><td>$2,372,824</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>In 2024, Layne’s 10 franchised restaurants saw the following average cost of goods sold:<ul><li>Food Cost:&nbsp;29.5%</li><li>Paper Cost:&nbsp;3%</li><li>Labor Cost:&nbsp;24.2%</li></ul>The FDD offers a clear view of the brand’s financials, including strong top-line revenue and healthy margins, all backed up by a value-engineered model. This positions franchisees to create high volume and drive much of that cash flow back to their bottom line.“We know we’re great at chicken fingers, and our goal is to continue being great. We’re not going to overcomplicate it or chase a trend,” Wattar said. “Keeping the business lean allows us to further hone our model and processes and create an even more productive, enjoyable experience for high-volume teams and operators.”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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How Much Can You Make as a Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchisee?

franchise-earnings-2025

FRISCO, Texas&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="http://layneschickenfranchising.com">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the Texas “Born and Breaded” chicken finger franchise, is closing another year of rapid growth. In 2025, the brand had multiple six-figure openings, opened in new states and signed a monumental 44-unit development deal. In support of its continued growth,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> has appointed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cuyler-e-51047a2a/">Cuyler Esposito</a> as vice president of culture operations.&nbsp;With extensive experience as a multi-unit franchisee, Esposito is acutely aware of the value of a strong franchise support structure. In his new role, he will prioritize culture throughout the Layne’s franchise system while serving as a voice for franchisees to ensure Layne’s unique culture remains the foundation of its operational excellence as it scales.“We are building a team that doesn’t just understand the restaurant business but understands the human side of it, too,” said CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-reed-5a724a152">Garrett Reed</a>. “Cuyler has been following our story for years, and as a former food service franchisee, he’s uniquely qualified to support our teams and ensure our values remain a priority as we scale our footprint.”While Cuyler will focus on strong operations, a hallmark of the Layne’s business model, that is not his only guiding principle.“In this industry, it’s easy to get lost in the numbers, but Layne’s is special because everyone here is aligned on the brand’s core pillars,” Esposito said. “My philosophy is ‘culture first, operations very close behind.’ My job is to ensure our franchisees and their teams are operating with that high level of hospitality that separates us from the competition.”As he gets integrated into the system, Esposito says his primary focus will be supporting multi-unit franchisees in building their own internal “benches,” helping them develop teams to support long-term success without friction.“It’s important to me to help franchisees build an operations team so that, as we open up more units, we aren’t scrambling. Much of that will be driven by a focus on a culture of growth and opportunity,” he said. “It’s about identifying people within the organization and helping them grow. I’ve learned that, if you provide a path of growth for an individual, they’re much more motivated for you compared to when you just look at everyone as a number.”For Esposito, the transition to the franchisor side is about more than just strategy; it’s a personal commitment to the people running the restaurants.“It’s not a job; it’s a lifestyle for me,” he said. “I am the liaison between the franchisee and the brand, and my job is to protect both, but anything I can do to help franchisees continue to get better… that’s what my role is.”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;&nbsp;Franchise opportunities range from $451,500 to $1,050,000 with different buildout options available. Learn more about franchising&nbsp;<a href="https://layneschickenfranchising.com/">here</a>.

Layne's Chicken Fingers - VP of Culture Operations - Cuyler Esposito - 1851 Franchise

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