U.S based fast-casual brand Layne’s Chicken Fingers is continuing its aggressive expansion push in 2026, building on strong franchise momentum, a growing development pipeline, and increasing national presence as it targets long-term scale.
Founded in 1994 in Texas, the chicken finger concept has expanded rapidly in recent years, entering 2026 with more than 40 restaurants in operation after significantly growing its footprint in 2025. The company has also awarded a substantial number of new units, positioning itself for accelerated development across key U.S. markets.
According to company releases, Layne’s is planning to open approximately 40 new restaurants in 2026, as part of its broader goal of reaching 300 locations by 2030. The expansion is being driven by multi-unit franchise agreements, including large territory deals and partnerships with experienced operators.
“The excitement about Layne’s only continues to grow,” said Garrett Reed, Chief Executive Officer, in a company statement. “The start of this year has been very busy as we’ve signed agreements with new and existing franchisees, opened new restaurants, and executed 16 leases for future development. Throughout all of this growth, we’ve maintained our focus on partnering with the right people in the right markets and ensuring the Layne’s experience our guests know and love remains intact.”
The brand’s development pipeline includes significant multi-unit commitments, including a 44-unit agreement, alongside additional regional deals aimed at expanding into new and existing territories. Layne’s is actively targeting markets including Colorado, Florida, the Carolinas, Virginia and Oklahoma as part of its next phase of growth.
Samir Wattar, Chief Operating Officer at Layne’s Chicken Fingers, said: “The best validation of our brand is when franchisees continue to invest their funds, time and energy into growing with us,” adding that both new and existing partners are driving the company’s expansion.
Recent openings across Texas, including Rockwall, Palestine and Leander, reflect the company’s focus on strengthening its presence in core markets. Franchisee Jawad Rawra, who opened the Rockwall location, said: “We’re excited to bring Layne’s to the community and introduce guests to a brand focused on quality, simplicity and great service.”
Layne’s growth is supported by strong system performance, with the company reporting record results and continued increases in unit-level performance. With a growing base of multi-unit operators and a robust development pipeline, the brand is scaling steadily within the competitive chicken segment. As it expands its franchise network, Layne’s Chicken
