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Chicken Salad Chick hatched its best quarter ever. The Southern-style chicken salad franchise awarded 52 new restaurant locations in the first quarter of 2026 \u2014 a nearly 50% jump <\/a>year over year. Seven new franchise groups joined the system, while two existing franchisees expanded through multi-unit agreements.<\/p>\n Mark Verges, VP of franchise development, says the surge reflects three things: a strong franchise model, quality franchise partners and increasing demand for a concept built on hospitality, simplicity and strong unit-level economics. The timing matters, too. The record quarter came right after Chicken Salad Chick\u2019s annual conference in Atlanta, where franchise partners and leadership gathered under the theme \u201cExceed Expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n The brand has been building momentum for years, expanding across multiple states in 2025 with ongoing investments in operational support and community engagement. The strategy appears to be working: Chicken Salad Chick is positioned to sustain its growth trajectory through 2026 while maintaining disciplined franchise partnerships and supporting franchisees in serving guests consistently.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Chicken Salad Chick hatched its best quarter ever. The Southern-style chicken salad franchise awarded 52 new restaurant locations in the first quarter of 2026 \u2014 a nearly 50% jump <\/a>year over year. Seven new franchise groups joined the system, while two existing franchisees expanded through multi-unit agreements.<\/p>\n Mark Verges, VP of franchise development, says the surge reflects three things: a strong franchise model, quality franchise partners and increasing demand for a concept built on hospitality, simplicity and strong unit-level economics. The timing matters, too. The record quarter came right after Chicken Salad Chick\u2019s annual conference in Atlanta, where franchise partners and leadership gathered under the theme \u201cExceed Expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n The brand has been building momentum for years, expanding across multiple states in 2025 with ongoing investments in operational support and community engagement. The strategy appears to be working: Chicken Salad Chick is positioned to sustain its growth trajectory through 2026 while maintaining disciplined franchise partnerships and supporting franchisees in serving guests consistently.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n