Layne's Chicken Fingers

Quirky. Offbeat. Slightly, you know, eccentric.&nbsp;Hey, call <a href="https://www.layneschickenfingers.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-restaurant-that-made-chicken-fingers-a-star-in-texas-does-things-its-own-way-2715823" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a> anything you want. It must be doing something right. You don’t become a cult favorite by being ordinary.&nbsp;A true original, when Layne’s opened in 1994 near the Texas A&amp;M University in College Station, it was the first in the state to bestow the chicken finger with the reverence it deserved. And they’ve been doing things their own way ever since.&nbsp;The brand has grown to eight locations so far (with plans for almost 100 more by 2025) with a simple formula: Combine a good-time vibe, food that makes you go weak at the knees, lightning-fast service, and a work ethic that’s as serious as football on a Friday night in Texas.&nbsp;It’s an ethos all neatly summed up by the company’s logo, a chicken wearing a space helmet. They call it the Astro Chicken. (Don’t worry: it’s a cartoon chicken.)“The Astro Chicken is something we created when I bought the brand in 2017,” Garrett Reed, the CEO of Layne’s Chicken Fingers, said. He and partners Matt O’Reilly and Samir Wattar use it as their north star.&nbsp;“It represents our guiding philosophy as a restaurant: have fun, don’t take yourself too seriously, and approach your work with the same passion, precision, and perseverance that it took to land a man on the moon. We like to call it ‘perfect imperfection’.”&nbsp;Yet when it comes to the tightly focused menu, no one messes with perfection. Today, Layne’s still offers those namesake classic chicken fingers, which made it such a sensation for nearly 30 years. And they definitely didn’t forget the sauces! Layne’s offers guests a choice of house-made dipping sauces, including buttermilk ranch, honey mustard, BBQ and Layne’s Sauce - their own secret tangy and slightly-spicy concoction.&nbsp;&nbsp;Other highlights include a three-finger chicken sandwich served on Texas toast, and the club sandwich, which brings bacon and cheddar to the party. And loyal Layne’s fans know to not skip out on the indulgent milkshakes, crinkle-cut fries, and buttery, garlic Texas toast.There are also newcomers on the menu, including a heart-smart grilled chicken wrap, and milkshakes in flavors that include salted caramel, Oreo®, strawberry, chocolate and vanilla.But Layne’s is more than just the food. It’s about a carefree attitude. loving life, and like that Astro chicken, not taking yourself too seriously.&nbsp; That spirit of the original Layne’s is ingrained in the brand’s DNA, including the iconic big board of “tickets” (or receipts) from the original location that were written and drawn on by students and guests. The clocks on the wall show the current time, the time College Station, the time two hours ago, and the time at founder Mike Layne’s mom’s house. And this culture isn’t going anywhere as the brand spreads its “wings.” They plan to sprinkle this bit of history, humor and good times everywhere it lands.&nbsp;In other words, with that little Astro Chicken guiding it, Layne’s is ready to blast off.&nbsp;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. 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.

The Restaurant That Made Chicken Fingers A Star In Texas Does Things Its Own Way

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With its focus on top-quality service and food, the fun-loving brand keeps guests coming back for more.

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

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

 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 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>.

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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;

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

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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

The Restaurant That Made Chicken Fingers A Star In Texas Does Things Its Own Way

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