Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s only fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, is thrilled to announce its expansion into Michigan by signing two development agreements.
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These agreements mark the brand’s first foray into the state and pave the way for multiple new Chicken Salad Chick locations across Michigan, according to a press release. First, husband-and-wife duo Keith and Sarah McKrae have signed a three-unit franchise agreement to open locations in Northville. Keith, a firefighter and paramedic, and Sarah, a pediatric nurse anesthetist, hope to open their first locations in Fall 2025, with two additional sites planned in the following years.
“We are incredibly excited to introduce Chicken Salad Chick to the Metro-Detroit market,” the McKae family said in a press release. “We not only want to provide a quality experience to our customers but within the community as well. We plan to have a strong presence within local school lunch programs, hospital cafeterias, and local sporting events.”
The McKrae family discovered Chicken Salad Chick while vacationing in Florida. They fell in love with the brand’s unique concept and flavors and were inspired to bring the concept to their community after realizing there was no comparable option back home.
Beyond the greater Detroit area, Chicken Salad Chick has signed a franchise agreement with Chuck McAbee, a seasoned franchisee and food service veteran from South Carolina, to open in Coleman. The deal includes six locations across Isabella, Midland, Bay, Saginaw, Ingham, and Eaton counties in Michigan. The first location is expected to open in 2026, with additional locations to follow in the coming years.
“What I enjoy most about the food industry is the people—interacting with guests and helping team members grow personally and professionally,” McAbee said in a press release. “Chicken Salad Chick’s mission of spreading joy, enriching lives, and serving others resonates deeply with me. I’m excited to bring this beloved brand to Michigan and create opportunities for the community and my team.”
The brand continues to bring its gracious hospitality and fresh fare to new markets, seeing a 13% increase in unit count year-over-year. According to the 2024 FDD, in addition to this impressive growth, Chicken Salad Chick reported over $353 million in system-wide sales, a 38% increase over 2021, and grew to a record-setting AUV of $1.5 million.
“Our brand has been extremely successful in new markets, allowing for tremendous growth opportunities,” Mark Verges, VP of Franchise Development of Chicken Salad Chick, said in a press release. “We are thrilled to have Keith, Sarah, and Chuck join the Chicken Salad Chick family. Their alignment with our mission of Spreading Joy, Enriching Lives, and Serving Others ensures they will make a meaningful impact in Michigan.”
