Food & Beverage

Chicken Salad Chick posts record Q1 2026 growth

Source: Chicken Salad Chick

April 22, 2026

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Chicken Salad Chick reported solid record results for the first quarter of 2026, thanks to franchise development and market expansion.

During the quarter, the Atlanta-based brand:

• Sold 52 restaurants to franchisees, up from 35 deals in Q1 2025
• Added seven franchise groups
• Expanded two existing franchisees through multi-unit agreements
• Entered key markets including Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Phoenix and upstate New York

"This is a defining start to the year for our brand," Mark Verges, vice president of franchise development, said in a press release.

"Nearly 50% year-over-year growth in Q1 speaks to the strength of our model, the quality of our franchise partners and increasing demand for a concept built on hospitality, simplicity and strong unit-level economics."

The performance builds on a strong 2025, when the company awarded nearly 100 new restaurants and opened 42 locations across 14 states. Chicken Salad Chick now operates more than 330 restaurants in 22 states.

The company said investments in operational support and community engagement helped drive the results, allowing franchisees to focus on consistent guest experiences and local connections.