QSR: Grounded in Culture, Layne’s Chicken Fingers Plots Rapid Growth

In a recent QSR article, Garrett Reed, CEO and Samir Wattar, COO, of iconic chicken brand and emerging franchise, Layne’s Chicken Fingers, shared the brand’s plans for expansion. The brand first opened in 1994 in College Station, Texas but only took its first steps towards expansion in 2017 when Reed and his business partner, Matt O’Reilly, entered the picture.

Reed and O’Reilly laid the groundwork for the growth they are seeing today, including having reached eight locations and double-digit sales increase. With the addition of Wattar, Layne’s Chicken Fingers is primed for success as they aim to reach 10 or 11 restaurants by the end of 2021, followed by an additional 15 to 18 openings in 2022.

Wattar told QSR, “The culture of the brand and the following — that's shown in sales. We currently have over 100 leads, and we're very seriously entertaining 10 potential multi-unit franchisees as we speak.” While looking to sell out its home state, the brand is also looking outside of Texas to target national growth.