Layne's Chicken Fingers

FRISCO, Texas&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="http://layneschickenfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=laynes-franchise-cuyler-esposito-vp-culture-operations-2731074" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=laynes-franchise-cuyler-esposito-vp-culture-operations-2731074" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=laynes-franchise-cuyler-esposito-vp-culture-operations-2731074" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=laynes-franchise-cuyler-esposito-vp-culture-operations-2731074" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here</a>.

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

Layne’s Names Cuyler Esposito VP of Culture Operations

1851 Franchise

The former multi-unit franchisee joins the leadership team to prioritize culture-first operations as the chicken finger franchise rapidly expands its national footprint.

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

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

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

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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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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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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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As the franchising landscape shifts more toward developing experienced multi-unit and multi-brand operators, the accepted definition of a “good franchisor” is evolving. In addition to a recognized brand and established operating playbook, today’s entrepreneurs are looking for opportunities to grow alongside franchise leadership teams.&nbsp;<a href="https://layneschickenfranchising.com/">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the Soon to be Famous™ chicken finger franchise, offers just that.“We call them franchise partners; they’re our partners,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-wattar-0a4187a/">Samir Wattar</a>, chief operating officer. “We’re on a mission, and if we’re not aligned, we’re not going to be successful. In any partnership, even in a marriage, there may be disagreements, but my philosophy is that, after you have the discussion, someone has to put their ego aside so you can move forward together. I consider all of our franchisees our partners because we’re not growing this brand on our own. We’re growing it with them, and the more successful the brand is, the more successful they are.”<h2>Operating on a Foundation of Empathy and Shared Vision</h2>As the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> leadership team works to grow the brand, they’re staying true to the long-term vision and carefully considering the people who will play a role in that future.“We don’t want ‘just franchisees,’” Wattar said. “I don’t say this to be arrogant, but if we were just looking for people who could afford the initial investment and were willing to run a restaurant, we could have had the whole U.S. sold out. But we don’t. We want partners who will help us grow and be just as committed to developing the brand as we are.”While this sets the bar high, these standards are accompanied by a deep empathy for and commitment to the franchise partners.&nbsp;Wattar is quick to recognize the pivotal role of the business in many franchise partners’ lives, highlighting that many owners have invested their life savings or retirement accounts to make this dream come true, and the leadership team acts accordingly.“To our franchise partners, they’re putting their future on the line,” Wattar said. “When somebody invests a million dollars in opening a Layne’s, that’s a lot of money. We owe it to them to act as a partner and provide the thorough, impactful support that will help them succeed.”“This is a collaboration,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-camp-b7549387/">Alex Camp</a>, vice president of operation services. “We’re partnering with the franchisee to get them from one side of the goal line to the other via the path of least resistance. We’re constantly thinking about how we can hold their hand along that journey to further their knowledge of Layne’s while also furthering our knowledge of them as operators.”<h2>The Application: Hands-On Support Throughout the Life of the Business</h2>Whether it’s a partner’s first or 10th location, if they call on the team at the home office for support, they’ll get it. From the time the franchise agreement is signed through the development and grand opening process, and into ongoing operations, owners have consistent access to dedicated teams of experts who are focused on their success.“We have a real estate team that will help franchise partners find the right locations that fit their specific pro forma and the brand’s pro forma, then it moves over to construction and design. We’re looking at things like how we can save them money on furniture, fixtures and equipment,” Camp said. “From the time the owner gets permits and starts to break ground, we bring every member of every department into the fold to introduce themselves and discuss what’s in their wheelhouse and how they’ll assist.”Camp describes the approach as one that leaves no stone unturned. From kitchen design and information technology to vendor relationships and the strategy for soft opening, the team focused on the franchise partner’s success and opening doors for them.Once open, owners have access to operations teams for additional guidance as needed. While experienced operators may choose to forgo the structured support associated with certain aspects of development if they feel confident, it’s still available to them regardless.As owners grow, the nature of the support may change, but the philosophy and accessibility do not."For partners expanding to multiple units, when the operations team takes over, they start to prepare the owner for successfully running one unit versus two or three,” Camp said. “What does the hierarchy look like as you onboard a district or regional manager? How do you train yourself to grow your own stores?"“The relationship between our franchise partners and us doesn’t change,” Wattar said. “The partners’ operations change, and they may need different things from us because they’re bigger, but as a franchisor, we treat all of the relationships the same. None of our franchise partners are better than another. Whether they have one unit or 10, we’re dedicated to supporting them. And if they call us needing help, we are committed to helping them address their unique needs in the specific scenario.”<h2>A True Collaboration in Growth</h2>Camp emphasized that the Layne’s leadership team is dedicated to helping partners learn Layne’s as they also learn about the partners. As part of this partnership, the leadership team welcomes conversations with owners about opportunities to build the brand together.While the Layne’s team has applied decades of expertise to the brand and operating model, they’re not needlessly rigid.“I love when franchise partners challenge me to be better,” Wattar said. “This isn’t about a top-down relationship where we’re giving directions and unwilling to hear feedback. We want our owners to voice their concerns and share ideas for improvement that will ultimately benefit the entire system. We’ll have a conversation, and while some of those talks may end in a ‘No,’ it’s because we’ve had a discussion and shared the evidence. It’s not ‘No, because we said so.’”This approach has allowed the team to stay true to the beloved Layne’s model while adapting it to real-world conditions and modernizing it where it makes sense.<h2>A ‘People Over Product’ Approach</h2>Layne’s recent growth shows just how powerful this person-first, partnership-focused approach can be. The brand is consistently catching the attention of top-performing multi-unit operators looking to diversify their portfolios. The team has supported multiple restaurant openings that have blown projections out of the water, and franchise partners across the system remain excited about exceeding their agreed-upon development schedules.“Our focus is to protect the brand, protect the franchisees and think about how we can make them successful,” Camp said. “Many franchise owners are sold a dream. They’re putting a lot of their own money into it, and they want to know how they’ll be supported on this journey. Our support structure outpaces those of other brands, and that’s what we want our prospective owners to know. This is how we do it. We aren’t going to step back and let you fail. We’re there to support all franchise partners in our system, no matter their tenure or stature.”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;

Photo of Layne's Chicken Fingers team standing together in restaurant

The chicken finger franchise prioritizes a culture of support, moving beyond just selling restaurants to focus on developing real relationships and a thriving system of operators.

A Franchisee Partner, Not Just a Franchisor: How Layne’s Leadership Teams Work Alongside Operators

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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 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">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">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/">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">www.layneschickenfingers.com</a>.&nbsp;

Photo of person holding Layne's Chicken Fingers wrap, pouring sauce

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.

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

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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.

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

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