STRATEGIC PARTNERS
December 21, 2018
Chicken Salad Chick has purchased 11 existing locations in Georgia from the brand's largest franchise owner, Origin Development Group, founded by Darren DeVore and Lauren Fernandez, according to a company press release.
The acquisition brings the company-owned unit count to 32, CEO Scott Deviney, said in the release. The chain plans to open 40 additional locations in 2019, which will be a mix of company and franchisee-owned.
"Origin Development Group founders Darren and Lauren are truly valued growth partners and have been passionate ambassadors of our brand," he said. "Atlanta is an important market for us, and in just two and a half years, Origin substantially increased our presence in the area, while successfully managing operations. As one of our largest franchise owners, we sincerely appreciate what Origin has done for Chicken Salad Chick and we are excited to have their restaurant teams join our company operations.”
DeVore and Fernandez joined Chicken Salad Chick as franchise partners by acquiring three Atlanta-area restaurants in 2016, and then growing to 11 locations. With an average of three openings a year, Origin has quickly penetrated the greater Atlanta area in Peachtree City, Buckhead, Vinings, Cumming and McDonough.
CSC did not want to disclose the purchase price, and Origin is looking to invest in another emerging concept to help grow as it did for Chicken Salad Chick, a company spokesperson said in an email to FastCasual.
The Chicken Salad Chick concept, born in Auburn, was established in 2008, in the kitchen of founder, Stacy Brown. In 2015, Eagle Merchant Partners purchased a majority stake in Chicken Salad Chick, and the company now has 105 restaurants across the Southeast.
