Seasoned Restaurant Franchise Group Signs to Bring 18 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Locations to Georgia

Layne's Chicken Fingers, the Texas "born and breaded" chicken finger franchise, is coming to Georgia, thanks to the efforts of three seasoned restaurant entrepreneurs: Alvin Shah, Shahid Panjwani and Seth Bickle.

All three entrepreneurs have extensive backgrounds in franchising. Shah grew up in the world of franchising; his father was a franchisee for several quick service restaurants, so he had exposure to the industry from a young age. While he has worked "a different side of the business" as a national mortgage lender, Shah decided to join forces with fellow entrepreneurs Panjwani and Bickle about a year ago. Panjwani also grew up around franchising with his parents owning Dunkin’ franchises, while Bickle has worked on both the corporate and franchisee side of the business for brands such as Subway. 

"We just realized that we all have different skill sets and different traits that complement each other," Shah said. "We knew that if we teamed up, we could really do something special within the world of franchising."

After evaluating a number of other franchise options, the partners found themselves drawn to Layne’s Chicken Fingers because of its history, community focus and potential for growth. The team is now on deck to open a whopping 18 Layne’s locations in the state of Georgia.

1851 Franchise spoke to Shah, Bickle and Panjwani about their franchise journey with Layne’s and their plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Shah: I grew up immersed in the world of franchising, as my father was a franchisee for several different QSRs (quick-service restaurants). Over the years, I observed him expand his brand and business, which provided me with valuable exposure to franchising. However, I decided at a young age to pursue a different aspect of the business. Currently, I am a national mortgage lender and have previously invested in real estate and been involved with various technology and private equity companies.

The collaboration between Shahid, Seth, and myself began about a year ago. We recognized that our diverse skill sets and complementary traits positioned us to achieve something remarkable in the franchising industry. We explored various franchise groups, focusing on restaurants. When we met with the team at Layne’s and learned about their vision and goals, we felt it was an ideal fit for our partnership.

Bickle: I have dedicated the majority of my career to the franchise business. I spent nine years with other franchisees of Jimmy John's before transitioning to the corporate side of the industry, where I worked with Subway's corporate team. Subsequently, I returned to franchising. I believe Layne’s is poised to be the next major success, particularly in the Atlanta market. The chicken finger segment is currently experiencing significant growth.

Panjwani: I am a second-generation franchisee, with my parents having been Dunkin' franchisees in Florida. This early exposure to the industry greatly influenced my career path. In my adult life, I owned a gas station for several years before returning to the franchising sector. Currently, I operate eight locations of a restaurant franchise in the metro Atlanta area. We believe this is the next significant opportunity and are eager to be part of it. We are confident that Layne’s is a fantastic brand with tremendous growth potential, and we are committed to helping elevate it to the next level.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Shah: Franchising has been an integral part of my life and career. Panjwani and I bring complementary experiences to our partnership, enhancing our collective expertise in this industry.

I have been involved in various franchises, but Layne’s is my first venture into the QSR (quick-service restaurant) space. My extensive experience in franchising has given me a deep understanding of how the franchise model works, including the support from corporate and the crucial partnership between franchisor and franchisee. This foundational work, along with the built-in publicity and marketing a good franchise provides, played a significant role in our decision to go with Layne’s.

Panjwani’s background is equally rooted in franchising. Growing up, he observed his parents successfully navigate the franchise restaurant business, gaining valuable insights into its operations. This early exposure highlighted the profitability and operational dynamics of franchises.

Together the three of us with our combined experiences and insights make us confident in our ability to contribute significantly to the growth and success of Layne’s. We believe this partnership will allow us to leverage our strengths and make a substantial impact in the QSR market.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Bickle: We embarked on a thorough evaluation of various franchise brands, and Layne’s stood out for several compelling reasons. We were captivated by the rich story and heritage of Layne’s, along with the ambitious vision that the team has for its future growth. The level of dedication and synergy within the Layne’s team was evident; it’s more than just a business to them — it’s their passion project, and that level of commitment resonated deeply with us. When making such significant financial and time commitments, alignment of interests is crucial, and Layne’s demonstrated that they share our values and aspirations.

Additionally, Layne’s impressive growth trajectory was a decisive factor in our decision-making process. With almost 90 locations signed, including our commitment to 18 of these, Layne’s represents a dynamic and rapidly expanding opportunity in the market. During our extensive research and visits to various franchises nationwide, Layne’s consistently stood out, especially due to the exceptional quality of their chicken tenders.

Our interactions with the Layne’s team further solidified our decision. They exuded professionalism, enthusiasm, and a genuine desire to collaborate and succeed together. Their emphasis on both brand success and franchisee support was evident and highly commendable. Overall, Layne’s encapsulates the perfect blend of a compelling story, rapid growth, outstanding product quality, and a team dedicated to mutual success, making it an ideal partnership for us as we embark on this journey to grow and develop the Layne’s brand.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Panjwani: Our decision to partner with Layne’s was driven by a desire for substantial growth, not just a couple of stores. We were attracted to Layne’s as a younger brand, and by joining as early adopters on their franchise system, we see immense potential for growth. Drawing from our extensive experience across various businesses and years in the franchise industry, we believe we bring significant value to the table. Our strategy is to launch the initial stores, gauge progress, and then propel our efforts to develop the entire territory, pushing growth to the next level.

Our goal is to operate exceptional restaurants that become known and respected both within and beyond the Layne’s brand. We aim to showcase the excellence of Layne’s product through our operations. Initially considering a deal for five to eight stores, our confidence in Layne’s and their vision led us to commit to North Atlanta with 18 locations.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Shah: Being part of various business ventures has taught me the significance of working with the right people. While financial success is a driving factor, it's equally about leaving a legacy. This legacy extends not just to family but also to the broader impact on creating jobs, fostering opportunities, and supporting communities. Layne’s embodies a hometown, local brand vibe, catering to and becoming a hangout for the community, especially kids. Bringing such a positive impact to the community is truly exciting and fulfilling.

Each of us— Panjwani, Seth, and myself—brings unique skill sets and diverse backgrounds to the table. Our collaboration is about doing something extraordinary together. It reminds me that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Bickle: When considering entering the franchise business, research is key. Choosing the right brand isn't just about investing money; it requires wholehearted dedication to succeed and elevate it to new heights. It's crucial to approach it with a mindset geared toward scalability. While it presents a great business opportunity, it's not for the faint of heart; success demands a steadfast commitment and effort.

Being hands-on and fully present is paramount. An absentee owner faces challenges, and empowering your team is crucial—great employees are the backbone of successful restaurants. Hard work and dedication are non-negotiable, especially in the initial stages where sacrifices like missing personal events may be necessary.

This isn't a part-time endeavor; it's a career choice that demands full-time engagement and investment. Half-hearted attempts rarely yield success in this field; commitment is the cornerstone of achievement in the franchise business. With unwavering dedication, success is within reach.

ABOUT LAYNE'S CHICKEN FINGERS

Founded in 1994 in College Station, the original location became a Texas A&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.  
Franchise opportunities range from $545,000 to $1,190,000 with different buildout options available. Learn more about franchising here.