It’s likely no one in the hospitality business knows more about chicken salad than Chicken Salad Chick.
The restaurant, often called the only fast-casual chain in the U.S. to focus on chicken salad, has grown to more than 325 locations in 22 states in less than two decades. The menu offers about a dozen iterations, savory and sweet, of the namesake dish.
Now, Chicken Salad Chick is bringing the bird to the Las Vegas Valley with a six-unit franchise agreement, its first in Nevada, according to a recent announcement. Vegas husband-and-wife Cayla and Mark Rubalcaba are leading the rollout of the restaurants, a timeline for which could not be provided immediately by a company representative.
College days
The couple’s connection to Chicken Salad Chick dates to their days as NCAA Division I athletes at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, the city where the restaurant began.
Chicken Salad Chick, Cayla Rubalcaba said in the announcement, has “always felt like more than just a restaurant. Having the opportunity to bring a brand that means so much to us to our hometown is incredibly meaningful. We’re excited to introduce Las Vegas to the same hospitality and sense of community that first drew us in.”
Fast-growing flavors
Nevada joins Arizona, Utah, New York and New Jersey as states where Chicken Salad Chick recently opened for development. Last year, the company awarded almost 100 new restaurant deals and opened 42 stores across 13 states.
The menu features chicken salad flavors such as a signature Classic Carol (minced celery, secret seasonings), Kickin’ Kay Lynne (buffalo, ranch, bacon, cheddar, jalapeños, sriracha) and Fancy Nancy (a spin on Waldorf salad with Fuji apples, grapes and pecans). Visit chickensaladchick.com.
Contact Johnathan L. Wright at [email protected]. Follow @JLWTaste on Instagram.