Layne’s Chicken Fingers Absorbs Tariff Costs to Support Manufacturing

In the wake of President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on imports from over 180 countries, many U.S. businesses are scrambling to raise prices or suspend overseas orders. But Layne’s Chicken Fingers, the Soon to be Famous™ restaurant franchise, is taking a different approach, according to a recent Bloomberg article.

While the brand already sources its chicken and fries domestically, Layne’s CEO Garrett Reed explained that even basic items like napkins, straws and to-go boxes are tough to find from U.S. suppliers. Still, he’s hopeful that the pressure from these tariffs will ultimately spark a revival in domestic manufacturing.

“There’s not a lot of people that produce this stuff in America. There just isn’t,” Reed said. “As a business owner, I’m willing to say that if we can rebuild our middle class or manufacturing, I’m willing to take it on the chin for the next year or so.”

The franchise’s stance adds a voice of optimism in a business climate where many entrepreneurs are bracing for economic strain and unpredictable supply chains.