Restaurant claims best chicken salad, plans ‘aggressive’ growth in Kansas City region

In June, Atlanta-based Chicken Salad Chick confirmed it was coming to the Kansas City market with more than a dozen chicken salad choices.

A franchisee for the chain planned a spring 2022 opening in Lee’s Summit, but the company did not provide a specific location.

Now the company has announced an “aggressive franchise expansion” for the Midwest with a goal to add 50 locations in the next four years in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and Ohio.

It wants to open up to nine restaurants in Olathe, Lawrence, Manhattan/Junction City, Topeka and Wichita, and also lists North Kansas City in that grouping.

In Missouri, in addition to the Lee’s Summit location, it wants to open seven restaurants in the North Kansas City and Cape Girardeau communities. It has signed franchise agreements for Columbia, Jefferson City and Springfield.

Chicken Salad Chick officials couldn’t be reached immediately for comment.

The restaurant offers chicken salad — in a scoop or as a sandwich — under four categories: traditional, savory, fruity and nutty, and spicy.

The menu includes Lauryn’s Lemon Basil (with chopped pecans, fresh basil and lemon), Olivia’s Old South (with sweet pickles and egg), Dixie Chick (with onions), Sassy Scotty (with ranch dressing, bacon and shredded cheddar cheese), The Barbie-Q (with a hickory-smoked barbecue flavor) and Jalapeno Holly. There also are two pimento cheese versions and an egg salad.

Sides include fresh fruit, macaroni and cheese, broccoli salad and soups.

Founder Stacy Brown had a goal of creating the perfect chicken salad. The stay-at-home mom kept perfecting her recipe and doing taste tests with family and neighbors before arriving at “the one.” She and her husband created a carryout-only operation in 2008 that became a chain.

It recently opened its 200th restaurant.