The fast-casual chicken salad chain Chicken Salad Chick is touting a “record” first quarter when it comes to expanding its store count nationwide.
The company awarded 52 new restaurants in the first quarter of 2026, marking a nearly 50 per cent increase compared to 35 deals in the first quarter of 2025. Chicken Salad Chick says this makes Q1 2026 the strongest quarter of franchise development in company history.
The quarter was driven by both new and existing operators, with seven new franchise groups joining the system and two existing franchisees expanding through multi-unit agreements. Chicken Salad Chick also entered several key markets in the quarter, including Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Phoenix and upstate New York.
With the new agreements, the chain has more than 300 locations in its development pipeline. The growth follows a record 2025, when it awarded nearly 100 new restaurants and opened 42 locations across 14 states.
“This is a defining start to the year for our brand,” said Mark Verges, VP of Franchise Development at Chicken Salad Chick. “Nearly 50 per cent year-over-year growth in Q1 speaks to the strength of our model, the quality of our franchise partners and the increasing demand for a concept built on hospitality, simplicity and strong unit-level economics.”
