Layne's Chicken Fingers

<a href="https://www.layneschickenfingers.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=laynes-chicken-fingers-expands-to-pittsburgh-bringing-5-locations-2718806" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the&nbsp;Soon to be Famous™ fried chicken restaurant, is expanding to Pittsburgh with plans for five new locations across the city.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-wang-tmd/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=laynes-chicken-fingers-expands-to-pittsburgh-bringing-5-locations-2718806" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Henry Wang</a>, Principal of TMD Holdings and 3E Group, has joined forces with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-mansmann-35b79712/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=laynes-chicken-fingers-expands-to-pittsburgh-bringing-5-locations-2718806" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Erik Mansmann</a>, Director of Operations at 3E Franchise, to bring the brand to their hometown.“To be able to have something as rich in history as Layne’s and to be the first franchisee outside of Texas is really exciting,” Mansmann said. “To be able to work with Henry and our team to take this and make it even larger in the way we plan to is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us. I’m so excited about it.”After many years in corporate America, both Wang and Mansmann decided it was time for a change.“What I do is I’m a diehard entrepreneur. I graduated from Carnegie Mellon — a real nerd. My family is first-generation immigrants and very entrepreneurial, and I’ve always had the idea of the American dream in my mind,” Wang said. “My philosophy has always been to find people who are passionate; If you’re passionate, we can always make things work. When we first met Erik, he showed me that his energy was there; he had paid his dues, and he was a real unicorn.”In the past, Mansmann had worked with brands like Chipotle, Starbucks and Panera Bread. At 3E Franchise, he is responsible for all of the guest-facing businesses and recently opened his 103rd location with the company. Alongside management and openings, Wang tasked Mansmann with identifying additional brands to franchise with.“We can’t just have one brand if we want to grow and grow aggressively,” Wang explained. “I asked Erik to start looking out for other brands, and he came back to me and said, ‘I think I found a unicorn.’”Wang said Layne’s is a great fit because of the shared mindset. He recalls a conversation with the brand’s leadership where someone said that everyone can sell chicken, but Layne’s differentiates itself with passion and service.&nbsp;“It was music to our ears, so we flew down there and had a meeting with them,” he said.“We’re very excited,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-wattar-0a4187a/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=laynes-chicken-fingers-expands-to-pittsburgh-bringing-5-locations-2718806" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Samir Wattar</a>, Layne’s Chicken COO. “We met Henry and Erik about four months ago, and they bring a lot to the table. Erik has been in operations for a long time and has worked for companies like Panera and Chipotle. We feel like they will be a great partner for us, and entering a new market with people like that is very exciting.”As the team works to get the five locations open, Wang said that the biggest challenge has been real estate.&nbsp;“You know, a lot of people were having issues with people,” he said. “Erik has built a team and has a well-known name in this region, so a lot of people will just follow him. The hardest part has been that, in the Northeast, we don’t have a ton of land.”However, both men are confident in the team’s ability to execute the expansion. “Sure, there might be something around the corner that might surprise us, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there — or build it,” Mansmann said.“When you’re building a small company from scratch, that’s a roller coaster ride. It’s very stressful,” Wang explained. “You just need a team that has the people who have been through it. It’s not easy, but we have good karma, we put our heads down and keep doing it, and it always works out.”Ultimately, the duo hopes to see great success with the five locations currently in progress, and they plan to continue expansion as much as possible.&nbsp;“How high is high?” Mansmann asked. “I think we have the opportunity to be one of Layne’s largest franchise organizations in our current agreement.”Franchise opportunities range from $656,000 - $1,280,500 with different buildout options available.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.layneschickenfingers.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=laynes-chicken-fingers-expands-to-pittsburgh-bringing-5-locations-2718806" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Learn more about franchising here</a>.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; Now, the company is planning to bring Layne’s Soon to be Famous™ Chicken Fingers to the rest of the world with plans to open 100 locations by the next four years.

Layne's Chicken Fingers Expands to Pittsburgh, Bringing 5 Locations

1851 Franchise

Franchising duo Henry Wang and Erik Mansmann are bringing the hometown chicken finger restaurant to their city.

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

laynes-chicken-fingers-expands-to-pittsburgh-bringing-5-locations

FRANCHISE INFORMATION

Own a Layne's Chicken Fingers

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Growth

Franchisee Highlight

Why Layne's Chicken Fingers

Superior Training & Support

Learn

Visit Website

LAYNE'S CHICKEN FINGERS

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

YouTube

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

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

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

LAYNE'S CHICKEN FINGERS MOST READ STORIES

1851 LOGIN

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

ABOUT LAYNE'S CHICKEN FINGERS

CONTACT LAYNE'S CHICKEN FINGERS

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

First Name

Last Name

Email

Phone

City Of Interest

Why are you interested in owning?

When do you envision becoming a franchise owner?

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

READY TO OWN A LAYNE'S CHICKEN FINGERS?

image of Taylor Thomas laynes chicken finger franchisee in Texas

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

university-texas-alum-invests-laynes-chicken

Layne's Opening Blueprint Drives Success From Day One

franchise-opening-playbook

image of Masroor Fatany, a prolific laynes chicken franchisee

Why This Texas A&M Alum Invested in Layne’s, Committing to 10-Plus Restaurants in the Houston Area

why-texas-a-and-m-alum-bought-laynes-franchise

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

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

why-franchise-with-laynes

image of laynes chicken rising restaurant chain to watch 2026 daily meal

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

laynes-chicken-fingers-rising-restaurant-chain-2026

image of laynes chicken finger franchise expansion into texas

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

44-unit-texas-deal

Photo of Layne's restaurant with red light around the top of the building

Doing Your Homework: How to Perform Due Diligence Before Becoming a Layne’s Franchisee

franchise-due-diligence

Photo of exterior of Layne's Chicken Fingers restaurant

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

laynes-chicken-franchise-growth-records

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

laynes-franchise-disclosure-document

Layne's Chicken Fingers Expands to Pittsburgh, Bringing 5 Locations

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS