Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

Ricki Oberoi, a seasoned multi-unit Wendy's operator with approximately 50 locations under his belt, has branched out, signing a 12-unit franchise agreement with Layne’s Chicken Fingers*. After working to build his Wendy’s portfolio for decades, Oberoi was drawn to Layne’s thanks to its commitment to quality, particularly in its fries, and flavorful spicy menu options.

With plans to open his first Lane's location in the Rio Grande Valley by mid-next year, Oberoi is excited by the brand's tenacity for growth and operational simplicity, and he looks forward to bringing a great chicken option to his community.

Oberoi took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what he had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Ricki Oberoi: My parents moved from India to the United Kingdom in 1960. I was born and raised in the United Kingdom, before my parents moved our family to Houston, Texas in 1982. My parents brought me for a better life. I've been in the hotel and restaurant industry my whole life, having pursued studies in hotel and restaurant management and earning a culinary arts diploma. 

My parents were also involved in the restaurant business in England and ran a well-known Indian restaurant in Houston. I married in 1996 and have three children, who are pursuing diverse interests including politics, business and stand-up comedy. My wife is a physician. 

Despite extensive travel, Houston truly is our home. I've also recently started a PhD in hotel management.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Oberoi: Before franchising, I was involved in my family's Indian restaurant business. However, I decided that this business model wouldn't grow organically for me in the way I envisioned. This led me to explore franchise opportunities. I applied to several well-known brands, and Wendy's eventually picked me up around 1993-1995. I was particularly drawn to their business model and the inspiring story of Dave Thomas.

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?

Oberoi: Initially, I didn't truly view Wendy’s as a "franchise" business, but rather as a successful business model, like McDonald's, which I admired. It was only after joining Wendy's that I truly learned the specifics of franchising.

Now, I value the consistency, the ease of training and the strong marketing support that a franchise provides. It allows you to leverage a big brand and create significant awareness. I'm a strong believer in franchising and wouldn't try to recreate the wheel myself. 

For prospective franchisees, I want them to know that it's a partnership — truly 50/50. You must thoroughly study the brand's leadership to ensure they are strong and open to continuous communication. It's crucial to understand the financial background of the franchisor and their litigation history, as it's essentially like getting into a marriage. Brand integrity is also paramount and should never be compromised.

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

Oberoi: My youngest son first introduced me to Layne’s, and I was immediately impressed. I especially love the spicy product and french fries.

My team and I were very positive about the quality of the chicken, and we loved that the fries weren’t mealy. We were also excited about the fact that Layne’s chicken is a halal product, which I see as a significant marketing opportunity, particularly within the diverse Houston market where demand for halal options is rising. 

I’m excited about Layne’s tenacity for growth and aspiration to become a major brand. I appreciate the team’s strong focus on product quality and operational simplicity.

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

Oberoi: We've signed a 12-unit deal with Layne’s. We aim to open our first location in the Rio Grande Valley by mid-next year. The overall 12-store development plan will take four to five years. 

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Oberoi: The decision to franchise with Layne’s moved very quickly for us. Within about 90 days of first trying the chicken, we were signing the franchise agreement. Even though it was fast, we still did a lot of due diligence, even visiting other locations in the area. I value the community feeling among franchisees and look forward to connecting with fellow Layne’s owners as we grow.

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

Oberoi: My strongest advice is to thoroughly study the brand's leadership. You need to ensure they are strong and open to continuous communication; a lack of communication can derail a franchise partnership.

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 $451,500 to $1,050,000 with different buildout options available. Learn more about franchising here.