Fast casual restaurant brand Chicken Salad Chick is growing. Their secret weapon? A new generation of hungry entrepreneur.
Millennials and Gen Z are increasingly entering the franchise space as a path to owning a strong business and having an impact in their communities. Atlanta-based Chicken Salad Chick is capitalizing on that movement by providing the opportunity, structure, and mentorship that younger franchisees need to make the most of their investment for years to come.
“Younger entrepreneurs are approaching franchising differently than previous generations,” said Mark Verges, Vice President of Franchise Development at Chicken Salad Chick. “They want the independence of owning a business, but they also want a proven model and a brand they genuinely believe in. That’s one of the reasons we’re seeing strong interest from millennials and Gen Z in concepts like Chicken Salad Chick that combine strong performance with authentic brand culture.”
The franchise sector makes sense for younger business-minded investors for a variety of reasons. Professionals who’ve come of age in the 21st century have seen it become increasingly difficult for small businesses to thrive in the face of bigger competition. At the same time, many of them want to be part of an authentic, locally based team. Franchising offers a route for young entrepreneurs to build a community business and team they can be proud of without the risk of starting from scratch.
Devon Chamberlin is a great example of a millennial entrepreneur who’s making great use of the opportunities in the franchise space. She operates a Chicken Salad Chick in Northern Virginia and believes that younger franchisees have a great deal to offer when it comes to communication and technology integration.
“Growing up in a digital-first environment makes it natural to leverage social media, online engagement, and local digital marketing to connect with guests,” said Chamberlin. “Many of our team members are from my generation, so I understand what motivates them – things like flexibility, recognition and opportunities for growth. Creating a positive, collaborative workplace culture has been key to building a strong team.”
Chicken Salad Chick is coming off a 2025 that saw the brand open 42 new locations in 13 different states and award nearly 100 new franchise location. As of print, the fast casual chain has over 300 locations in its development pipeline.
To learn more about franchise opportunities with Chicken Salad Chick, visit https://www.chickensaladchick.com/franchising/.
