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

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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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Layne’s Chicken Fingers Brings the Crunch to Downtown Houston with May 11th Grand Opening

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Brings the Crunch to Downtown Houston with May 11th Grand Opening and Free Layne’s for a Year

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

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Hospitality Industry Leader Natalie Hurley Joins Layne’s Chicken Fingers to Support Nationwide Expansion

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

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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>.

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

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>.

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

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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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.

Houston, TX —&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 Downtown Houston with a grand opening celebration on Monday, May 11th at 609 Main St. Suite 175, Houston, TX 77002.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>’ 11th location in the Houston area 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.)The new Houston location is led by Layne’s FIRST franchisee, seasoned multi-unit operator, Masroor Fatany. A Texas A&amp;M alumnus with a deep connection to the brand’s College Station roots, Fatany brings over 15 years of franchising expertise to the expansion, having successfully scaled both Sears Garage Doors and The Halal Guys throughout the Houston metro area. Known for his "all-in" operational philosophy and commitment to the guest experience, Fatany is a key driver in Layne’s mission to become a household name across Texas.“Houstonians know good food, and they appreciate a brand that keeps things simple and does it right. We started with our first store in Katy in 2021 and I’m excited to continue to develop the brand in the Houston-area,” said Fatany.The Downtown Houston 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 ranch, jalapeño ranch, honey mustard, BBQ and gravy.The Downtown Houston opening is the latest milestone in Layne’s continued growth across Texas, following recent openings in Palestine, TX&nbsp; and Rockwall, TX&nbsp; and additional planned development this summer in East and West Texas.“Masroor embodies the 'all-in' culture we look for in our partners, and his deep roots in the brand as an Aggie and the first franchisee for the brand make this opening even more special. We’ve been strategic about our growth to ensure that as we step on the accelerator, every guest gets the same iconic experience that started in College Station back in '94. This Downtown location is a major milestone in our mission to make Layne's a staple across the entire Houston metro,” said Garrett Reed, Chief Executive Officer of Layne’s Chicken Fingers.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, downtown Houston 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 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>.

Masroor Fatany opens next Layne’s Chicken Fingers restaurant in Houston as part of the brand’s continued expansion in Texas.

<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>.

image of laynes chicken finger franchise 

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