Alex Camp and Cuyler Esposito have new roles at the chicken franchise.
By Andrew Carlo
Fast casual franchise Layne’s Chicken Fingers made a pair of promotions prior to the start of the new year.
The Frisco, Texas-based brand announced that Alex Camp has been promoted to the position of vice president of operations services while Cuyler Esposito has been appointed as vice president of culture operations.
Camp has been with Layne’s for two years and is now responsible for supporting the brand by overseeing the intersection of corporate infrastructure and real operations throughout the franchise network, Layne’s said.
“We have always had our eye on proactive development of our support teams, and Alex’s promotion is in line with this philosophy,” said CEO Garrett Reed. “He has been with us through a pivotal season of growth, understands that our leadership team is in the service business, and is committed to interdepartmental connection and cooperation. His new role will ensure that, as we scale, we maintain the agility and operational excellence our franchisees rely on.”
According to Camp, his new role is a key to the company’s “central nervous system,” and is designed to hone processes and turn the leadership team’s strategic vision into reality for franchisees.
“It’s a multi-departmental role focused on turning thoughts into actions while relaying sensory feedback for critical evaluation,” Camp said. “My goal is to build new feedback pathways as the organization grows. Whether it’s working with IT, marketing, or design and construction, Operations Services ensures we get initiatives across the finish line so the franchisee can even better serve the guest.”
Additionally, Camp will serve as a voice for franchisees at the corporate table, ensuring that, as the brand grows and brings on new departments and personnel, the profitability and operational success of local owners remain the top priority.
“We’re adding incredible talent to our team, from marketing to IT, but we need to ensure all those efforts come together and ‘sing the same song’ for the operators in their markets,” Camp said. “I know the Layne’s model and culture, and now, my focus will be cross-functional support and feedback to ensure the base of the organization — our owners and their teams — have what they need to succeed.”
Franchise opportunities at Layne’s range from $451,500 to $1,050,000 with different buildout options available. Last October, Layne’s signed one of its largest franchise agreements to date in a deal that calls for 44 locations in Texas.
“When I think about where Layne’s was when I first jumped in to where it is now, and where it’s going, it all goes back to the Astro Chicken and the rocketship, the reflection of our brand and Chief Finger Officer,” Camp said. “As much rapid growth as we have currently, we’re just priming the engines. We’re just getting ready. I don’t think we’ve left the takeoff pad just yet. We’re starting to warm up, and all of that rumble and noise and smoke that people can see from a distance … that’s just confirmation that what we’re doing is right, and where we’re going is inevitable.”
Esposito is responsible for prioritizing culture throughout the Layne’s franchise system while serving as a voice for franchisees to ensure Layne’s unique culture remains the foundation of its operational excellence as it scales.
“We are building a team that doesn’t just understand the restaurant business but understands the human side of it, too,” Reed said. “Cuyler has been following our story for years, and as a former food service franchisee, he’s uniquely qualified to support our teams and ensure our values remain a priority as we scale our footprint.”
“In this industry, it’s easy to get lost in the numbers, but Layne’s is special because everyone here is aligned on the brand’s core pillars,” Esposito said. “My philosophy is ‘culture first, operations very close behind.’ My job is to ensure our franchisees and their teams are operating with that high level of hospitality that separates us from the competition.”
Esposito also said that his primary focus will be supporting multi-unit franchisees in building their own internal “benches,” helping them develop teams to support long-term success without friction.
“It’s important to me to help franchisees build an operations team so that, as we open up more units, we aren’t scrambling. Much of that will be driven by a focus on a culture of growth and opportunity,” he said. “It’s about identifying people within the organization and helping them grow. I’ve learned that, if you provide a path of growth for an individual, they’re much more motivated for you compared to when you just look at everyone as a number.”
According to its website, Layne’s ended 2024 with 20 locations and was expected to close out 2025 with 45 units. About 225 locations are in development.
For more information about franchising opportunities at Layne’s, visit https://layneschickenfranchising.com/.
