Layne's Chicken Fingers

With more than 20 restaurants operating and over 250 additional units in development,&nbsp;<a href="https://layneschickenfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-laynes-leadership-has-built-a-national-franchise-from-a-historic-brand-2729243" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a> has transformed from a local favorite in College Station, Texas, into a rapidly expanding national franchise in under five years. Born and Breaded in 1994, the franchise began as a small, hometown, mom-and-pop chicken joint and was molded into a multi-state brand with the support of an experienced leadership team that has carefully balanced the iconic brand with progressive, innovative business practices.<h2>Recognizing Untapped Potential in a Cult Favorite</h2>The journey to the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> we know today began when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-reed-5a724a152/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-laynes-leadership-has-built-a-national-franchise-from-a-historic-brand-2729243" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Garrett Reed</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-o-reilly-067475208/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-laynes-leadership-has-built-a-national-franchise-from-a-historic-brand-2729243" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Matt O’Reilly</a> identified something special in the beloved chicken finger restaurant. It had been operating since 1994, and they had a vision to bring the brand to new heights.“We know how popular Layne’s was. You could talk to anyone who had been to the university,” Reed said. “They know what Layne’s is. People have t-shirts and hats, and they’ll wait in line out front. This passionate guest pool has been a key driver for Layne’s over the decades.”While Layne’s was beloved by guests in College Station, it was not explicitly built for growth. The original owner ran a successful business, but he ultimately relied on older-school systems like handwritten order tickets and minimal accounting systems.“When Matt and I decided to invest, it was the perfect storm,” Reed said. “The original owner had three restaurants. He was doing fantastic. But he also had four kids and was busy with his family. He wasn’t focused on growth with Layne’s, and we wanted that opportunity.”<h2>Preserving Heritage While Building Systems</h2>After investing in Layne’s, Reed and O’Reilly began looking at what would be required to make the brand franchisable. The team’s balanced approach maintained what made Layne’s special while creating the infrastructure necessary for a scalable, repeatable system.While the team kept the guest experience nearly identical, only upgrading with a few efficiencies and introducing a few new flavors, there was a near-total transformation behind the scenes.“It was a complete ‘gut and rebuild’ situation,” Reed said. “I mean that in every sense of the word. There was not one thing that is back-of-house or non-customer-facing that we kept from the previous years.”“This had to happen. The big thing with franchising is ‘Is it repeatable?’” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-wattar-0a4187a/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-laynes-leadership-has-built-a-national-franchise-from-a-historic-brand-2729243" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Samir Wattar</a>, chief operating officer. “We needed the systems to be repeatable. Now, a franchisee can come train with us for three weeks and know everything they need to know about running a Layne’s.”After experiencing Layne’s as guests, Reed and O’Reilly were confident in the brand’s potential, but they knew they’d need to prove it out before launching franchising opportunities.“We knew we had something in College Station, and&nbsp;we believed it would work elsewhere, but Garrett and I decided to put the capital, infrastructure, policies and procedures in place before we started franchising,” O’Reilly said. “We decided to expand to the Dallas-Fort Worth area first to prove it could succeed beyond its original market before selling our first franchise.”<h2>A Franchisee-First Philosophy</h2>Since launching franchise opportunities, the entire team has been incredibly careful about who they partner with and how they support their partners throughout the entire relationship. Layne’s has said no to prospective franchisees, forfeiting what could turn into a massive paycheck because they’re dedicated to protecting the brand and its culture. They’ve rejected real estate selections that might work — technically — but aren’t places they would personally invest in.“We live by two rules: protect the brand, and protect the franchisee,” Wattar said. “If anything doesn’t answer ‘yes’ to both, we will say no.”This commitment to Layne’s and its franchisees has built an even stronger system. In addition to protecting existing owners, prospective owners can see just how careful and dedicated the leadership team is. When there’s a great match, this confidence can be what seals the deal.“I tell everyone in our office the same thing: We’re not in the restaurant business; we’re in the service business,” Wattar said. “Our franchisees invest in our brand, and we need to treat them with the same level of care that we expect them to treat any Layne’s guest who walks through their door.”As the Soon to be FamousTM chicken finger franchise continues its nationwide expansion, the leadership team remains focused on the same practices that shaped the 30-plus-year-old brand into the successful franchise it is today. With continued innovation, attention to detail and a care for the proven systems it has implemented, Layne’s will continue to grow with entrepreneurs who will be true partners in the brand’s success, bringing the beloved favorite to communities across the country.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;

How Layne’s Leadership Built a National Franchise from a Beloved Chicken Brand

1851 Franchise

The Soon to be Famous™ chicken finger brand from College Station, Texas, was shaped into a highly successful franchise with the support of careful leaders, innovative systems and intentional growth.

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

How Layne’s Leadership Has Built a National Franchise From a Historic Brand

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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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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

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Appoints Cuyler Esposito as Vice President of Culture Operations

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FRISCO, Texas&nbsp;—&nbsp;After a year of explosive growth,&nbsp;<a href="http://layneschickenfranchising.com">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the Soon to be FamousTM chicken finger franchise, has announced the promotion of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-camp-b7549387">Alex Camp</a> to vice president of operations services. Camp, who has been with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> for two years, steps into his new position as the brand levels up its leadership team to support its rapidly growing footprint. As Layne’s expands well beyond its home state of Texas, Camp will support the brand by overseeing the intersection of corporate infrastructure and real operations throughout the franchise network.“We have always had our eye on proactive development of our support teams, and Alex’s promotion is in line with this philosophy,” said CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-reed-5a724a152">Garrett Reed</a>. “He has been with us through a pivotal season of growth, understands that our leadership team is in the service business, and is committed to interdepartmental connection and cooperation. His new role will ensure that, as we scale, we maintain the agility and operational excellence our franchisees rely on.”Camp describes his role as the organization’s “central nervous system,” designed to hone processes and turn the leadership team’s strategic vision into reality for franchisees.&nbsp;“It’s a multi-departmental role focused on turning thoughts into actions while relaying sensory feedback for critical evaluation,” Camp said. “My goal is to build new feedback pathways as the organization grows. Whether it’s working with IT, marketing, or design and construction, Operations Services ensures we get initiatives across the finish line so the franchisee can even better serve the guest.”While he plans to lean more into the strategic side of the business as it grows, Camp remains committed to a service-first mindset. Across the leadership team, the vision is clear: Protect the brand and protect the franchisee.&nbsp;In his new role, Camp will serve as a voice for franchisees at the corporate table, ensuring that, as the brand grows and brings on new departments and personnel, the profitability and operational success of local owners remain the top priority.“We’re adding incredible talent to our team, from marketing to IT, but we need to ensure all those efforts come together and ‘sing the same song’ for the operators in their markets,” Camp said. “I know the Layne’s model and culture, and now, my focus will be cross-functional support and feedback to ensure the base of the organization — our owners and their teams — have what they need to succeed.”Camp’s promotion comes at the conclusion of another incredible growth year. While Layne’s has seen monumental growth in 2025, including a landmark 44-unit restaurant deal, there’s still more to come.“When I think about where Layne’s was when I first jumped in to where it is now, and where it’s going, it all goes back to the Astro Chicken and the rocketship, the reflection of our brand and Chief Finger Officer,” Camp said. “As much rapid growth as we have currently, we’re just priming the engines. We’re just getting ready. I don’t think we’ve left the takeoff pad just yet. We’re starting to warm up, and all of that rumble and noise and smoke that people can see from a distance … that’s just confirmation that what we’re doing is right, and where we’re going is inevitable.”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 - Alex Camp - VP Operations - 1851 Franchise

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Promotes Alex Camp to VP of Operations Services Amidst Record Growth

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With decades of experience and adjustments behind it, Layne’s business model is remarkably scalable. A team of experts has developed resources, processes and layouts that allow Layne’s franchisees to deliver higher-quality menu items with the speed and convenience of a traditional fast-food concept.&nbsp;“A strong focus on operations and our commitment to identifying what we’re good at and growing to be even greater at it have helped us find this careful balance,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-wattar-0a4187a/">Samir Wattar</a>, chief operating officer. “We don’t add new menu items just to say we did, and we stay true to our identity as a chicken finger concept. Maintaining this focus has both created a steadier foundation for franchisees and further strengthened our identity as a standout option in the chicken finger space.”By elevating food quality while keeping the menu and experience affordable, accessible and easy to navigate, Layne’s can appeal to a wider range of guests, too. From college students and budding professionals to young families with kids, there’s something for everyone.While Layne’s brand identity and strong operations serve as a great jumping-off point for new franchisees, there are other considerations necessary to identify the best possible opportunity, starting with the market.<h2>Determining the Right Market for Success</h2>Once you’ve decided Layne’s is a great fit for you, you’ll need to consider how it may fit within your market.Layne’s restaurants thrive in areas with young, active populations, and it performs especially well in college towns. It’s important to analyze the current market landscape to identify areas where there is a clear demand for chicken and room for growth with a brand bringing the speed, quality and experience Layne’s does.&nbsp;The Layne’s leadership team also has rich real estate experience, and it applies this to its franchise development process.“Once we’ve identified a growth market, we’re careful to select prime real estate,” Wattar said. “When a franchisee presents a site to us, we consider whether it’s one we would develop a corporate restaurant on. We don’t just say yes to check the box and begin development on another unit.”During the development process, franchisees can work in conjunction with the leadership team to evaluate territory availability and the potential of certain sites within a market, and they will stay connected with a team of real estate experts throughout the build-out process for expert site selection, design and construction support. For many owners, this additional expertise — beyond the restaurant world — is a key differentiator and one of the primary drivers for partnering with Layne’s.“The menu is fantastic; it has a lot to offer. But from a real estate perspective, they have a great team — from site selection to construction,” said Jake Willett, a multi-unit Arkansas franchisee. “We’ve got a gorgeous building that I can build 20 to 25% cheaper than with other concepts, including building and furniture, fixtures and equipment.”<h2>Training for a Strong Launch and Long-Term Success</h2>While the pathway to signing the franchise agreement and officially becoming a Layne’s franchisee is an important one, the Layne’s team does not discount the journey from signing to grand opening and beyond.&nbsp;In addition to expert support for site selection and build-out, franchisees have access to a marketing playbook and resources that will position them to have a successful Grand Opening and continued growth thereafter.Layne’s also maintains its operational excellence systemwide by ensuring franchisees receive ample training prior to opening and support during the early days of operation.“We have a robust training program to support speed, quality and a great guest experience,” Wattar said. “Our ‘customer’ is not the person sitting in the restaurant eating chicken; it’s the franchisee. We see ourselves as a service organization, and we are dedicated to serving them and their growth as entrepreneurs through ample education and support.”As Layne’s continues along its rapid growth trajectory, this deep commitment to support is a crucial factor in maintaining the strength of the franchisee network and the quality of the Layne’s brand, no matter how big the system grows to be.By viewing the franchisee-franchisor relationship as a partnership, Layne’s builds stronger connections with franchisees and, ultimately, stronger, more successful businesses.“The leadership team has a genuine interest in franchisee profitability, which is key,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mfatany">Masroor Fatany</a>, a multi-unit owner in Houston “They’ve told me not to do certain real estate deals, for example. That’s rare in franchising. Layne’s isn’t chasing unit count as their key metric, and that speaks volumes in our industry.”<h2>Why Now Is the Time To Invest With Layne’s</h2>With its home state nearly sold out,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/laynes-chicken-franchise-multi-brand-owners-2730365#featured">franchisees from major brands</a> flocking to the opportunity and an aggressive development schedule laid out for the coming years, Layne’s is a hot opportunity in the chicken space.&nbsp;As the brand expands, Layne’s stands out as a fun, high-quality option in the crowded chicken market. It offers franchisees a chance to join a fast-growing segment backed by a distinct concept and an engaged, experienced team. The time to claim a prime territory with a rising star in the chicken segment is now. As Layne’s looks toward growth in New Mexico, Minnesota, Virginia, Oklahoma, the Carolinas and more, entrepreneurs have a compelling opportunity to do so with a brand that boasts a cult-like following, simple operations and unwavering support.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers.">https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers.</a>&nbsp;

A Path to Success With Layne's Chicken Fingers Ownership

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What Is the Layne’s Franchise Disclosure Document, and What Will I Find in It?

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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="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 Famous™ Texas-based chicken finger franchise, is quickly becoming one of the most-watched names in the fried chicken category. Once a quiet regional favorite, the brand has surged into the national spotlight after securing the No. 6 spot on the Restaurant Business Future 50 list — a recognition driven by a strongest growth trajectories, says&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tastingtable.com/2012019/raising-canes-vs-laynes-chicken-fingers-chain/">Tasting Table</a>.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers">Layne’s</a> opened in College Station in 1994 and remained a small Texas brand for many years. That changed when the company began franchising in 2021. The system grew to eight locations by 2022 and passed 30 stores a few years later. Operators in several states — including Arkansas, Ohio and Wisconsin — are now building out their territories, and the brand expects to be near 80 restaurants by the end of 2026. For a concept that spent years with only a handful of stores, the pace of expansion over the past few years shows how much interest the brand is drawing from both guests and prospective owners.Behind the growth is a menu that champions simplicity done exceptionally well. Layne’s is known for its crispy chicken fingers served with crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast and six signature sauces, including its fan-favorite original Layne’s Sauce. The brand also offers sandwiches, grilled options, wraps and premium hand-spun shakes made with high-quality ice cream. Many locations offer halal options, giving Layne’s an immediate advantage with diners seeking more inclusive menu choices.With its combination of strong unit expansion, operational focus and a menu rooted in quality and comfort, Layne’s Chicken Fingers is earning a place in the national conversation.&nbsp;Read the full article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tastingtable.com/2012019/raising-canes-vs-laynes-chicken-fingers-chain/">here</a>.&nbsp;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 the Soon to be Famous™ Texas-based chicken finger franchise

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

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<a href="https://layneschickenfranchising.com/">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the Soon to be Famous™ Texas-based chicken finger franchise, has been growing steadily for several years, but a new feature from The Daily Meal shows just how far the brand has come. The publication’s list of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thedailymeal.com/2026195/restaurant-chains-take-over-in-2026/">10 Rising Restaurant Chains That Will Take Over in 2026</a> puts&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> alongside some of the most talked-about names in fast casual, pointing to the chain’s sharp rise in both visibility and store count.Founded in College Station in 1994, Layne’s spent decades as a Texas favorite before launching its franchise program in 2021. That decision changed the brand’s trajectory. By mid-2025, Layne’s had reached 30 operating locations — an increase of more than 50% — and the pace has only accelerated since. According to The Daily Meal, Layne’s is on track to surpass 80 units by the end of 2026, fueled by a wave of new franchise agreements.Much of that momentum comes from development commitments made in 2025. The brand signed five new franchise deals in Q3 alone, opening the door to expansion in Oregon, deeper growth in Wisconsin and a major 52-unit buildout across West Texas. These agreements reflect growing demand from experienced operators looking for a scalable model, clean operations and a recognizable customer favorite in a crowded chicken category.The article also pointed to Layne’s staying power. While many chains rise quickly and fade, Layne’s has taken the long view — refining its menu, service and systems for nearly three decades before scaling nationally. That consistency, combined with a focused menu and an authentic Texas-born identity, gives the brand strong footing as it enters new markets.Read the full article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thedailymeal.com/2026195/restaurant-chains-take-over-in-2026/">here</a>.&nbsp;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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