Layne's Chicken Fingers

<a href="http://layneschickenfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-easiest-10000-made-in-a-day-how-laynes-built-operations-for-volume-2728319" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the Soon to be Famous™ chicken finger franchise has built its reputation by following a simple principle: Identify what you’re good at and become great at it. By keeping its focus on providing great chicken fingers,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> has stayed relevant with guests without overcomplicating the business model, and this positions franchisees to reach high volumes more easily.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasbergeson/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-easiest-10000-made-in-a-day-how-laynes-built-operations-for-volume-2728319" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Lucas Bergeson</a>, one of the owners of Layne’s of Janesville, Wisconsin, said the model continues to perform, offering one of the easiest pathways to thousands of dollars in sales per day.“I remember our soft opening. We had high hopes for our first day of sales, but they were still tempered by the fact that we’re in a small town,” he said. “After the dinner hour, I felt kind of bummed. I remember thinking, ‘I know we wanted to start slower, but this just felt really slow.’ Then I looked at our sales. I called our director of operations and said, ‘<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-camp-b7549387/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-easiest-10000-made-in-a-day-how-laynes-built-operations-for-volume-2728319" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Alex</a>, we’re at $8,000! That’s the easiest $8,000 I’ve ever seen!’”The Bergeson family has been operating high-volume restaurants for a decade and have a good understanding of what an $8,000 day looks like in other models, but with Layne’s, Lucas said he continues to be surprised.“We’ve done $8,000 a day in other concepts, and I just couldn’t believe it. We said the same thing with 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 thousand dollars: ‘It shouldn’t be this easy,’” Lucas said. “It almost seemed like it was too good to be true, which often is the case, but this is one of those rare instances where it has not proven to be too good to be true.”Now, with eight months of operations under their belts and more Layne’s locations on the way, the Bergesons continue to see great results, even noting further improvements in speed and efficiency.“The operations, from the food prep to the day-to-day tasks, are really streamlined,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-bergeson-31013314/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-easiest-10000-made-in-a-day-how-laynes-built-operations-for-volume-2728319" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Josh Bergeson</a>, who co-owns the Janesville location with his brother, Lucas. “Making the food and serving the guests is so streamlined, it’s hard to believe it’s that easy. We usually expect some pitfalls with early restaurant openings. For example, during our first busy weekend with our first concept, we were running 25-minute ticket times. With Layne’s, we peaked at eight minutes during the first couple of days, and that was without sacrificing the speed of the drive-thru. Once we train everyone, it’s a breeze. It’s incredible.”The Bergesons shared that one of the most important contributors to the ease of operating a Layne’s restaurant is the care and thought the leadership team has put into each aspect of the restaurant. For example, Chief Operating Officer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-wattar-0a4187a/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-easiest-10000-made-in-a-day-how-laynes-built-operations-for-volume-2728319" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Samir Wattar</a> accounted for how many steps a team member would need to take throughout their shift when planning the layout of the back of house.&nbsp;“We’ve put deep thought into every aspect of the business,” Wattar said. “We know we’re great at chicken fingers, and our goal is to continue being great. We’re not going to overcomplicate it or chase a trend. Keeping the business lean allows us to further hone our model and processes and make it even more enjoyable for high-volume teams and operators.”“The simplicity of the menu allows for all of the ingredients of every single meal to be located in one centralized location,” Lucas said. “Everyone is getting chicken fingers. And we can keep things like cheese, bacon and sauce in a small space.”The menu’s simplicity goes even deeper, benefitting franchisees as they plan staffing for each day.&nbsp;“In every restaurant, you’ll have someone on the grill, someone on fries and someone on builds,” Josh said. “And that’s true with us, but instead of five or six proteins, we have chicken fingers. It’s either going to be regular chicken or spicy chicken. It’s so straightforward, and once we get it moving, it’s really easy to keep it moving and keep the food hot and fresh. It’s the best chicken you’ll ever have, but it’s really easy to train and cross train team members to make it.”During high-volume times, everything comes together quite nicely.&nbsp;“We know what the guest is going to order, and we can predict pretty well how many tenders we’re going to need at a given time,” Lucas said. “Oftentimes, in our concepts, the busier a restaurant gets, the harder it is for the crew. With Layne’s, it gets easier; the crew finds a nice pace. We’ve actually found ourselves doing more paid marketing than ever before because we know that more guests will make the crew even happier. Rather than grinding through the rush hoping for a little bit of relief, Layne’s teams get excited for the rush.”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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Layne’s Franchise Simplifies Operations for High-Volume Success

1851 Franchise

The chicken finger franchise has developed a streamlined operations model that allows owners to scale to impressive heights while still operating with relative ease.

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The Easiest $10,000 Made in a Day: How Layne’s Built Operations for Volume

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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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<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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FRISCO, Texas&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://layneschickenfranchising.com/">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the Soon to be Famous™ Texas-based chicken finger franchise, has already established a booming — and consistently growing — presence across its home state. Now, with a monumental 44-unit franchise agreement signed with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/elimcohen/">Eli Cohen</a>, an experienced real estate and restaurant developer,&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> will expand across West Texas, San Antonio and the Coastal Bend. With this deal, the Texas market is now over 90% sold out, leaving room for expansion in just El Paso and a few smaller, single-unit territories.“Sealing an over-40-unit deal in our home state is a major milestone for us as we approach 100% market saturation across Texas,” said CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-reed-5a724a152/">Garrett Reed</a>. “And given our focus on real estate, the opportunity to pursue this expansion with a seasoned developer is even more meaningful.”Cohen, an investor and entrepreneur, specifically built his platform, C5 Restaurants, to scale exceptional operators — not just replicate.“When a franchisor has a strong culture and a clear playbook, it allows local teams like ours to focus on execution, leadership and community impact,” he said. “That combination of structure and autonomy is what makes the model work.”As part of the agreement, Cohen’s team plans to open multiple new Layne’s locations in their home base of Lubbock next year — with two sites already confirmed and a potential third under consideration — marking an exciting first step in bringing Layne’s signature chicken fingers to markets across West Texas.In addition to the deal with Cohen, which is the largest in the brand’s history, Layne’s has also recently executed a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth-2729591">12-unit deal</a> with an experienced Wendy’s operator to develop the Rio Grande Valley, an&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/laynes-chicken-west-texas-expansion-2730367">eight-unit deal</a> with a former water bottling entrepreneur to develop in The Big Country area in Texas, and a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/laynes-franchise-sal-afridi-west-fort-worth-2729318">four-unit agreement</a> with an experienced hospitality professional to grow the brand in South Fort Worth.&nbsp;Layne’s momentum is also driven by recent successes with new restaurants. Year-to-date, the brand has opened new restaurants in Mission Bend, Tyler and Nacodoches, Texas, with the Nacodoches location breaking sales records in the first week. With five additional locations slated to open across Texas before the end of the year, Layne’s is not slowing down.This wave of development has brought Layne’s to near-total saturation across its home state, a milestone that serves as a powerful proof of concept. With Texas almost entirely sold out, the brand is leveraging this momentum to drive continued growth not just in its home state but nationwide, carrying its focus on strategic growth and strong franchisee-franchisor partnerships into other key markets across the country.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;

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FRISCO, Texas&nbsp;—&nbsp;Midway through another year of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/laynes-chicken-franchise-growth-2025-2729859#stories">remarkable growth</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://layneschickenfranchising.com">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a>, the Soon to be FamousTM chicken finger franchise, has announced the addition of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliehurley/">Natalie Hurley</a> as vice president of marketing. Hurley joins the brand with nearly 20 years of high impact hospitality and restaurant-industry experience. She will lead brand strategy and growth initiatives as the franchise scales nationwide, bringing a career rooted in hospitality, guest engagement and experiential brand-building to the fast-growing concept.“After a year of incredible momentum, bringing Natalie on board is a great next step in our journey,” said CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrett-reed-5a724a152">Garrett Reed</a>. “Her hospitality background and deep understanding of what makes brands truly resonate with guests will be instrumental as we continue our evolution from a beloved Texas classic to a household name nationwide. Natalie understands what makes&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers/info">Layne’s</a> special, and she has the vision and expertise necessary to share that story while keeping the heart of the brand intact.”“At the core, hospitality is hospitality, no matter if it’s full service, hotels or fast food,” Hurley said. “My goal here is to build the brand up even more and carry that through&nbsp;all the work we do at Layne’s.”Hurley’s decision to join Layne’s came after recognizing the shifting restaurant landscape and the brand’s unique position in the market.“The growth potential in the QSR space really interests me,” she said. “What really solidified that interest to me was meeting with Garrett and the team. Garrett was very inspiring and had such passion for this brand. There’s nothing he won’t do for it, and that caught my attention.”Hurley’s immediate focus is on strengthening and maintaining brand cohesion as Layne’s grows beyond its home state.&nbsp;“As we continue to grow nationwide, it’s important that all locations ‘sing the same song,’ tell the same story and have a very strong visual identity,” she said. “Layne’s has the cult following. It has the compelling story built in. My ultimate goal is to ensure that story translates in new markets, too, and to spread the love in the markets we enter.”Balancing brand consistency with local personality will be key to the brand’s expansion strategy, and Hurley will maintain system-wide standards while empowering franchisees to bring localized flair to their locations.“What will keep Layne’s unique as we grow is keeping that localized story,” she said. “You can replicate that passion in different markets while staying true to Layne’s and the core foundation of the brand.”As she grows in her role at Layne’s, Hurley will continue to prioritize fun, embracing the ethos of the Astro Chicken.“We’re in the business of creating great experiences. It should be fun,” she said. “But like the Astro Chicken heading into space, there’s a level of precision and intention behind everything we do. That mix of playful exploration and operational excellence is what will carry Layne’s into its next chapter.”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>.

Natalie Hurley headshot and Layne's Chicken Fingers restaurant

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

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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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