The franchise awarded 52 new restaurant locations in Q1 2026, up nearly 50% from the same period last year. By Jonathan Small | edited by Dan Bova | Apr 22, 2026 Chicken Salad Chick hatched its best quarter ever. The Southern-style chicken salad franchise awarded 52 new restaurant locations in the first quarter of 2026 — a nearly 50% jump year over year. Seven new franchise groups joined the system, while two existing franchisees expanded through multi-unit agreements. Mark Verges, VP of franchise development, says the surge reflects three things: a strong franchise model, quality franchise partners and increasing demand for a concept built on hospitality, simplicity and strong unit-level economics. The timing matters, too.…