Chicken Salad Chick CEO Outlined Growth Strategy
Scott Deviney detailed the company's expansion roadmap during the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Arlington.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Business Strategy
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Chicken Salad Chick President and CEO Scott Deviney discussed the restaurant chain's strategic growth at the Fast Casual Executive Summit. The company, which originated in Auburn, Alabama, has scaled significantly through a focused, state-by-state expansion model.
Why it matters
The brand's deliberate approach included pausing franchise sales to stabilize operations and refining its franchisee selection process. By reinvesting company-owned restaurant profits into support systems, the chain has built a robust infrastructure for long-term scalability.
Chicken Salad Chick expects average unit volumes to reach $1.7 million in 2026, up from $900,000 in 2015. The brand currently maintains an operational ratio of 80% franchised and 20% company-owned restaurants.
The players
Scott Deviney
He is the president and CEO of Chicken Salad Chick who spearheaded the brand's recent growth phases.
Chicken Salad Chick
This restaurant chain operates over 100 locations across the United States with a focus on fast-casual dining.
Eagle Merchant Partners
This private equity firm acquired Chicken Salad Chick in 2015 to accelerate its brand development.
Brentwood Associates
This investment firm acquired a majority interest in Chicken Salad Chick in 2019.
The details
Deviney explained that the company utilized a concentric-circle growth strategy, expanding outward from its Southeastern base to protect its supply chain. The brand also acquired Piece of Cake to diversify its portfolio, following a strategic pause in franchise sales after its 2015 acquisition.
Timeline
Chicken Salad Chick launched in 2008 in Auburn, Alabama.
Eagle Merchant Partners acquired the company in 2015.
Brentwood Associates acquired a majority interest in 2019.
The Fast Casual Executive Summit took place October 4-6, 2026, in Arlington.
Average unit volumes are projected to reach $1.7 million in 2026.
Market Landscape
The company's performance follows the strategic pivot initiated by the 2015 acquisition of Chicken Salad Chick by Eagle Merchant Partners. This evolution positions the brand to beat the industry trend where only 15% of franchise brands reach the 100-unit milestone.
Customers can expect continued expansion as the brand grows its footprint and operational efficiency. The focused growth strategy aims to maintain consistent service quality and product availability across all locations.
The takeaway
Sustainable growth in the fast-casual sector often requires taking tactical pauses to refine operational processes before scaling. Brands that prioritize internal support systems and cautious geographic expansion are better positioned for long-term unit volume success.
Further reading
For more on industry growth tactics, visit the Business Strategy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fast Casual.
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