Layne's Chicken Fingers

FRISCO, Texas&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="http://layneschickenfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-expansion-q1-2026-2731997" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-expansion-q1-2026-2731997" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-expansion-q1-2026-2731997" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-expansion-q1-2026-2731997" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-expansion-q1-2026-2731997" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.layneschickenfingers.com</a>.&nbsp;

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Layne’s Chicken Fingers Expands: 50+ New Locations Awarded in Q1 2026

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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.

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Layne’s Chicken Fingers Accelerates Growth in Q1 2026 With 50+ Restaurants Awarded and Expansion Across Key Markets

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

Daily Meal: Layne’s Chicken Fingers Earns National Attention as a Breakout Brand for 2026

Tasting Table: Layne’s Chicken Fingers Rising Fast in the Fried Chicken Market

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

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<a href="http://layneschickenfranchising.com">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the fast-growing chicken finger franchise that originated in College Station, Texas, in 1994, is achieving remarkable national expansion. Currently, the brand has over 44&nbsp;operating restaurants and hundreds more in the pipeline for future development, but it is also preserving the brand identity and guest experience details that make it uniquely “<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a>.” For the development team, this means taking an approach that, even in periods of seemingly rapid growth, prioritizes the right fit (with franchise partners, markets and specific real estate sites) over just saying “Yes.”“We’ve had many very successful restaurant openings over the past year, but the reason those have been so successful is that we’ve been intentional and deliberate about the development process,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kordellsnyder/">Kordell Snyder</a>, director of real estate. “As times change, we’ll adapt and grow, but at the same time, we’re not just throwing anything against the wall and hoping it sticks. We still say no way more than we say yes.”For the Soon to be Famous™ chicken franchise, even rapid, national growth comes from a baseline of strategic expansion that’s focused intently on the health and long-term success of franchise partners and the larger brand.<h2>A Real Estate Blueprint That Positions Franchisees for Long-Term Success</h2>The experience and service guests receive at Layne’s can put it at the top of the favorites list, but even securing a site that sets franchisees up to deliver that experience takes some serious front-end strategy.&nbsp;While Layne’s has a team of real estate experts, including Snyder, they work hand-in-hand with the local entrepreneur to ensure multiple perspectives are considered.“We’ve been intentional about partnering with franchisees who are familiar with their markets, so there is an element of the conversation where we’re asking them, ‘What do you know about your backyard? What do you believe to be right?’” he said. “It’s a team effort. A lot of our franchisees come from other restaurant concepts and already have relationships with brokers. If they don’t, we’ve been intentional on building relationships with broker networks in major markets across the country so we can help where necessary.”&nbsp;Snyder said that process helps the team narrow broad territory rights into a more focused starting point. “Leveraging the knowledge of the franchisee who is local, combined with the broker’s insights and data that we gather, like comparative QSR sales and demographic growth rates, serves as a launching point,” he said. “From there, we can say, ‘You’ve got a 40-unit development area, let’s pick the top 10 to 15 to start looking at.’ Then, we kind of have to let real estate availability drive the process from there.”By taking a truly collaborative approach and examining the franchisee’s market at large, the real estate team completes due diligence that benefits the development of the first location and additional restaurants in the future.“One of the things I love about being with Layne’s and how we approach franchising is the working relationship between the franchisor and the franchisee,” Snyder said. “It’s intentionally a long-term relationship. These are not one-off franchise deals. A lot of my background, when I was a broker, was single or maybe up to three-unit deals. I’d help them get one unit open, then we’d have to move on. For Layne’s, the long-term relationship and real estate selection process support one another because, if we can really hit the nail on the head with the first restaurant, that’s encouraging. That’s why many of our owners are ahead of their development schedules.”<h2>Site Selection Specifics for Maximized Returns</h2>Within a given market, Layne’s works carefully to develop sites that truly align with the brand’s identity and how it will grow in the market.“As we’ve evaluated the brand and our direction, we know we’re in line with those tier one brands like McDonald’s or Chick-fil-A. You don’t expect to see those attached to a strip center; they’re standalone locations,” Snyder said. “We believe the image of our brand is a freestanding, traditional restaurant, and we act like it from a real estate perspective.”This approach supports the image Layne’s is building as it grows in new markets, and it also provides practical returns for franchisees. While Layne’s does have some non-traditional restaurant locations, growth patterns have shown that a traditional, freestanding approach is best.“There’s something to be said for non-traditional locations as a way to supplement franchisees’ revenue and access for guests in the market. They can still be profitable locations, but we’ve also looked at several markets where rent and build-out costs for a non-traditional and a traditional location are essentially the same,” Snyder said. “One of the big things we say is that, all things being equal, if you have Deal A and Deal B, one’s traditional, one’s non-traditional, but the cost is the same, or even slightly favoring a non-traditional, you have to evaluate the potential of not only the site, but the market. And nine out of ten times, you need to go with the traditional option because sales volumes are projected to be significantly higher and justify that additional cost.”This sets the stage for Layne’s owners to deliver on the experience expected of them in the context of a financially smart approach.<h2>Balancing Data, Simplicity and Scalability</h2>Once they’ve opened at a carefully selected site, Layne’s franchisees leverage a well-established system and streamlined operations that keep things moving smoothly. For example, the brand’s tight menu allows teams to focus on serving the “best damn chicken fingers” without getting distracted by too many supplemental menu items or improvised limited-time offers.&nbsp;“The name of our game is simplicity. The simple menu is easy and reliable for the guests, but it’s also a benefit for franchisees,” Snyder said. “Franchisees come to us because it’s a simple operation. There’s not a lot of extra effort involved in the back-of-house. The simpler we can make our processes and inventory, the simpler day-to-day operations are, and the more profitable franchisees can be.”As the brand grows, the leadership team continues to hone these processes where possible, and the development team supports franchisees in identifying and opening in areas and on real estate that lends itself to this straightforward model.<h2>Proven Sustainability Months Down the Line</h2>Choosing not to say “Yes” to every prospective franchisee or potential real estate site that comes their way is a major step in protecting Layne’s future and driving healthy growth rather than just dropping pins on the map because they can. However, as the team continues to prioritize this aspect of the longer-term development process, they’re also keeping a pulse on the ongoing results of currently operating restaurants.The boom often associated with a new restaurant opening can be a great boost for a growing entrepreneur, but Layne’s looks beyond the “honeymoon” phase of a new opening and takes an honest look at long-term performance.“We’re logging some of the strategies and initiatives that have been successful in the past, but we’re looking to measure that against longer-term performance,” Snyder said. “Locations have opened successfully, which is great, but really, what we’re looking for on our side is that sustainability after a successful opening. Big openings are awesome, but how is the restaurant performing six months later? Has it continued to hold strong performance as it settles into what we can expect to be ‘normal?’ As we grow, we have more and more opportunities to look at these trends across a larger spread of restaurants and continue to hone what really works and what will set our franchisees up for healthy growth in their own markets, regardless of which market they develop in.” 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>.

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The brand is expanding quickly, but its leadership remains focused on smart development, careful site selection and long-term franchise success.

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Builds Growth Around Strategy, Not Speed

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WAYCROSS, GA —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.layneschickenfingers.com/">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the fast-growing, 40+ location chicken finger franchise known for its hand-breaded crispy tenders, crave-worthy sauces and Texas toast–stacked sandwiches, is bringing the crunch to Waycross with a Grand Opening celebration on April 11 at 2104 Memorial Drive.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>’ first location in Waycross 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.)After a successful 12-year run as an independent insurance agency owner and a brief stint in the corporate world, Dutch McNeal transitioned into restaurant ownership with five Huddle House locations. Ready for his next venture, and after one very convincing taste test, McNeal chose Layne’s, signing a five-unit deal to bring the brand to Southwest Georgia and Northeast Florida.“I’m excited to bring Layne’s out East,” said McNeal. “It’s an honor to help expand the brand and introduce this product to chicken finger lovers across Georgia and Florida.”The Waycross 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 Waycross opening is the latest milestone in Layne’s continued Southeast growth. The brand recently opened in Roswell, and McNeal is slated to open an additional location in Kingsland in Q2 2026.“We’re thrilled to see Dutch continue expanding Layne’s across Georgia and Northeast Florida,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-reed-5a724a152/">Garrett Reed</a>, Chief Executive Officer of Layne’s Chicken Fingers. “He’s a fantastic operator, and we know the Waycross community is going to love what he and his team bring to the table.”With plans for 40 additional openings in 2026, Layne’s continues to expand strategically nationwide through strong franchise partnerships and disciplined growth.Let’s just say, Waycross is about to get a whole lot crispier.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&nbsp;<a href="http://www.layneschickenfingers.com">www.layneschickenfingers.com</a>.

Dutch McNeal opens the fast-growing chicken finger brand’s first Waycross location as part of multi-unit Southeast expansion.

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Brings the Crunch to Waycross with April 11 Grand Opening and Free Layne’s for a Year

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ROCKWALL, Texas —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.layneschickenfingers.com/">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the fast-growing, 40+ location chicken finger franchise known for its hand-breaded crispy tenders, crave-worthy sauces and Texas toast–stacked sandwiches, is bringing the crunch to Rockwall with a grand opening celebration on April 18 at&nbsp;1801 Goliad Street.To celebrate, the first 100 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> latest location in 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.)Before Jawad Rawra’s American Dream was set in motion, he spent his early career working 12-hour shifts, seven days a week at AT&amp;T Wireless — picking up additional odd jobs in between to make ends meet. In 2007, after facing rejections from major telecommunications giants, he got an opportunity to become a T-Mobile Premium Retailer. What started as one location has now grown to 14 different states. &nbsp;After years of successfully running his telecom business, he expanded his footprint in 2016 by partnering with hospitality brands such as Marriott, Hilton &amp; Hyatt. To further his vision Rawra decided it was time to look into properties that would move the dial on his ultimate goal: to serve the community. When he thought of Layne’s, the beloved Texas-born brand known for its crispy chicken fingers and signature “secret sauce,” he knew it was the perfect fit.“We’re excited to bring Layne’s to the Rockwall community and introduce guests to a brand that’s all about quality, simplicity and great service,” said Rawra.The Rockwall 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 Rockwall opening is the latest milestone in Layne’s continued growth across Texas, following recent openings in Palestine and Leander with additional planned development throughout Texas.“As we continue expanding across Texas, partnering with experienced operators like Jawad is key to doing it the right way,” said Garrett Reed, Chief Executive Officer of Layne’s Chicken Fingers. “His strong business background and commitment to his community make him an ideal fit for the brand, and Rockwall is an exciting addition to our growing footprint.”With plans for 40 additional openings in 2026, Layne’s continues to expand strategically nationwide through strong franchise partnerships and disciplined growth.Let’s just say, Rockwall is about to get a whole lot crispier.<h3>ABOUT LAYNE’S CHICKEN FINGERS</h3>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>.

Franchise owner Jawad Rawra opens Layne’s Chicken Fingers in Rockwall as part of the brand’s continued expansion in Texas.

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Brings the Crunch to Rockwall with April 18 Grand Opening and Free Layne’s for a Year

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<a href="http://layneschickenfranchising.com">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the Soon to be Famous™ brand with more than 40 locations, has built a powerful system of high-performing operators and restaurants, largely thanks to the leadership team’s selective approach to growth. Viewing the health of the brand as a commitment to not only current franchisees but future investors, too, keeps thoughtful growth at the forefront of the team’s minds and allows them to stay true to Chief Operating Officer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-wattar-0a4187a/">Samir Wattar’s</a> guiding principles: Protect the brand, and protect the franchisee.As&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> continues to grow, the team has clearly outlined the key traits they’re seeking in partners to support the long-term health of the system.<h2>An Unwavering Passion for the Brand Is Paramount</h2>Protecting the brand means working with people who also see the value and vision. Passion for Layne’s is the foundation for success as a franchisee, and no amount of other skills or qualifications can replace it.“Our biggest question is ‘Do they have passion for the brand and what we’re doing?’” Wattar said. “You can have someone who, on paper, is financially qualified and has the right business and restaurant experience, but if they don’t have a passion for what we’re doing, it’s not going to be a fit. We’re making a mark on the industry, but we’re still growing. There are still things we’re working to accomplish, and our franchisees have to be aligned with that.”Layne’s has that “something special” that makes it stand out, and to succeed in the business, franchisees must be committed to owning a Layne’s, not just owning a restaurant.“We want to make sure each owner is treating every guest that walks into a Layne’s the same way,” Wattar said. “They have to understand and embrace that they represent the bigger group. Yes, their business is about their location and them making money, but it’s also about the other franchisees and the brand in general.”<h2>Previous Restaurant Experience (Or a Team That Brings It)</h2>Many Layne’s owners have prior restaurant franchise experience. While this is incredibly helpful, given the restaurant space is both fun and challenging in its own unique ways, not having restaurant experience isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker. However, prospective franchisees who don’t have restaurant experience must identify an operator who can bring that knowledge to the team.“We’ll work with our owners on finding the right operator,” Wattar said. “We’ve told people who have proven that they are otherwise qualified and passionate about the brand that they just need to have an operator. The restaurant industry is a lot of fun, but it’s hard, especially in the beginning. So, if we believe a candidate brings everything else to the table, we’ll work with them on finding the right operator who can fill the restaurant experience gap.”<h2>People-First Leaders</h2>The Layne’s leadership team has worked diligently to build and maintain a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/garrett-reed-culture-2731424">welcoming, collaborative culture</a>, and they’re looking for franchise owners who will serve as “culture adds,” not just another pin on the map.At the unit level, this means recognizing that there are two “customers” — the employees, who are the “internal customers,” and the guests, who are the “external customers.”“A good leader, to me, is someone who is making an impact on people, whether that’s their lives, careers or otherwise,” Wattar said. “We can’t necessarily see leadership at Discovery Day, but we do discuss their leadership skills and how they will run the restaurant.”<h2>Active Involvement in the Business</h2>Layne’s is not a semi-absentee franchise model. It’s not something that can be managed through a spreadsheet.“This business has always been and will always be about the personal touch owners provide for both their teams and their guests,” Wattar said. “You cannot run this business as an absentee owner, because the numbers don’t tell the whole story. They’re very important, but they don’t tell you how successful your restaurant truly is.”By staying involved in the day-to-day operations of the business, even if it’s from a higher level as a multi-unit owner overseeing restaurants across a market, franchise owners can identify where hurdles are, celebrate the wins and notice anything that is doing well by the books but realistically presents an opportunity for more.<h2>A Partnership Built on Mutual Success</h2>As Layne’s grows, it continues to emphasize working with entrepreneurs who see their role as an owner as part of a bigger picture. The corporate team provides the outline and support, but franchisees must see it through at the local level and stay engaged to identify opportunities for consistent improvement.By staying true to the core traits of passion, leadership, operational excellence and active involvement, Layne’s ensures that, as it maps out its future across the country, it’s doing so with franchise owners who will deliver on that “special something” Layne’s is known for and contribute to the health and success of the entire Layne’s system.&nbsp;To learn more about the costs of buying this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers">https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers</a>.&nbsp;

Photo of trays of Layne's fries, chicken fingers, wrap and toast on a table

As the brand continues its exponential growth, the leadership team is focused not just on well-capitalized franchisees but on those who truly understand and are passionate about the mission.

Who Is the Ideal Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchisee?

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<a href="https://layneschickenfranchising.com/">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the rapidly growing Texas “Born and Breaded” chicken finger franchise, is expanding nationally, offering a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to break into the chicken space with a model that’s been proven over the span of decades but still offers plenty of runway for meaningful scale. For many franchisees, though, understanding the business model itself is just one of the steps toward ownership. They also need to know how much it costs.According to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the total investment necessary to begin the operation of a Layne’s restaurant ranges from $451,500 to $1,050,000. This total investment is broken down into the following costs, outlined in Item 7 of the FDD:<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Type of Expenditure</td><td>Min</td><td>Max</td></tr><tr><td>Initial Franchise Fee</td><td>$45,000</td><td>$45,000</td></tr><tr><td>Lease Deposit &amp; Rent (3 Months)</td><td>$7,500</td><td>$50,000</td></tr><tr><td>Utility Deposits</td><td>$5,000</td><td>$5,000</td></tr><tr><td>Government Licenses &amp; Permits</td><td>$1,500</td><td>$10,000</td></tr><tr><td>Blueprints &amp; Plans</td><td>$10,000</td><td>$50,000</td></tr><tr><td>Leasehold Improvements</td><td>$150,000</td><td>$400,000</td></tr><tr><td>Signage &amp; Graphics</td><td>$7,000</td><td>$70,000</td></tr><tr><td>Furniture &amp; Fixtures</td><td>$10,000</td><td>$30,000</td></tr><tr><td>Point of Sale System</td><td>$8,000</td><td>$15,000</td></tr><tr><td>Computer Hardware &amp; Software</td><td>$3,500</td><td>$7,500</td></tr><tr><td>Kitchen Equipment &amp; Smallwares</td><td>$150,000</td><td>$250,000</td></tr><tr><td>Professional Services</td><td>$5,000</td><td>$7,500</td></tr><tr><td>Initial Inventory</td><td>$7,500</td><td>$15,000</td></tr><tr><td>Smallwares, Uniforms &amp; Initial Suppliers</td><td>$7,000</td><td>$15,000</td></tr><tr><td>Insurance</td><td>$5,000</td><td>$15,000</td></tr><tr><td>Travel and Related Expenses While Training</td><td>$2,000</td><td>$5,000</td></tr><tr><td>Initial Opening Assistance</td><td>$2,500</td><td>$5,000</td></tr><tr><td>Grand Opening Marketing</td><td>$10,000</td><td>$25,000</td></tr><tr><td>Additional Funds (3 Months)</td><td>$15,000</td><td>$30,000</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>On an ongoing basis, Layne’s franchisees should also plan for the following costs, outlined in Item 6:<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Type of Fee</td><td>Amount</td></tr><tr><td>Royalty Fee</td><td>5% of gross revenue/week</td></tr><tr><td>Brand Development Fund</td><td>2% of gross revenue/month</td></tr><tr><td>Local Marketing Spend</td><td>1% of gross revenue/quarter</td></tr><tr><td>POS System Maintenance Fee</td><td>$4,800 - $7,200/year</td></tr><tr><td>Technology Fee</td><td>$500/month</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>Of course, understanding the total initial investment is just part of the picture. Layne’s has built an impressive support structure and embraced a super simple operational model, ensuring franchisees get the most payoff for each dollar invested.&nbsp;With the right buildout and a proven playbook, Layne’s owners can get to positive cash flow faster. The brand’s unit volumes back that up, with some top-performing restaurants topping&nbsp; $2.2 million in 2024.Now, with the chicken frenzy continuing, there has never been a better time to invest. Demand for chicken is high, but many legacy brands have already saturated the market. The Soon to be Famous™ concept brings a top-performing model with strong availability to prime markets nationwide, and it does so with an optimized investment structure and proven revenue model.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;

With an initial investment ranging from the mid-$400,000 range to just over $1 million, the chicken finger franchise offers a smart model with proven performance and space to grow.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Layne's Chicken Fingers Franchise?

franchise-cost

<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;

The 2025 FDD shows strong average gross revenues for both traditional and non-traditional restaurants and high margins backed by a streamlined operational model.

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Accelerates Growth in Q1 2026 With 50+ Restaurants Awarded and Expansion Across Key Markets

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