News Summary
Layne’s Chicken Fingers is relocating its Wellborn Road location in College Station after 22 years to a new, upgraded site across the lot. The brand is also expanding its franchise program with new locations set to open in Wisconsin, Leander, and Nacogdoches. Launched in 2021, Layne’s aims to establish 50 units by 2025 while offering a diverse menu that outshines competitors. This expansion comes as Layne’s debuts in Arkansas, further enhancing its presence in the quick-service fried chicken market alongside established brands.
College Station, Texas—Layne’s Chicken Fingers is relocating its established Wellborn Road location after 22 years, moving just across the lot in College Station. The new site will feature a next-generation restaurant design, representing a significant upgrade for the popular fast-food chain.
In addition to its local move, Layne’s Chicken Fingers is stepping up its expansion initiatives across multiple states. Franchisees from Wisconsin are set to open a new location in July, marking the brand’s continued growth outside Texas. Furthermore, a Texas franchisee has secured real estate for a new unit in Leander, scheduled to open in September, while another franchisee is preparing for a 2025 launch in Nacogdoches.
Launched in 2021, Layne’s Chicken Fingers has introduced a franchise program aiming to establish 50 units and sell 200 franchises by 2025. The brand began its journey in College Station and has since successfully branched out beyond the state of Texas. It currently offers menu items that include marinated chicken finger combos, Texas toast, crinkle-cut fries, beverages, and the signature Layne’s Sauce. Layne’s menu stands out for being more extensive than competitors such as Raising Cane’s, with items like chicken wraps, chicken finger sandwiches, grilled cheese, and milkshakes.
Last year, Layne’s made its debut in Arkansas with a restaurant located at 2110 Arkansas Highway 5 in Benton. The quick-service chain has plans to expand further within the state, with a second location anticipated to open in North Little Rock on July 14 at 3711 McCain Blvd., right next to Red Lobster. A franchisee named Jake Willett has inked a development deal to launch 10 Layne’s locations throughout Arkansas, reflecting a robust commitment to the market.
The competitive landscape in North Little Rock’s quick-service fried chicken market includes well-known names like Raising Cane’s, Popeyes, Chick-fil-A, and Waldo’s Chicken and Beer. Willett, as a franchisee, has expressed confidence in the chicken restaurant marketplace, noting that there are currently twice as many burger restaurants compared to chicken-focused establishments in the United States.
Further expansion in Arkansas is underway, with plans for a third location in West Little Rock, positioned at the corner of Cantrell Road and Chenal Parkway, currently under construction.
Layne’s Chicken Fingers’ unique branding features a lifesize cutout mascot known as Astro Chicken, depicted as a chicken in a spacesuit. This adds an element of playfulness to the restaurant’s identity, appealing to both families and younger customers while emphasizing a fun dining atmosphere.
As Layne’s Chicken Fingers continues to expand its footprint in Texas and beyond, this growth signals not only its popular acceptance among consumers but also a competitive strategy aimed at leveraging a market with a growing appetite for chicken offerings. The brand aims to solidify its position in the landscape of quick-service restaurants while appealing to a broader demographic.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- 1851 Franchise
- Wikipedia: Layne’s Chicken Fingers
- Post Crescent
- Google Search: Layne’s Chicken Fingers
- Arkansas Times
- Google Scholar: Layne’s Chicken Fingers
- Beaumont Enterprise
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Layne’s Chicken Fingers
- Lubbock Online
- Google News: Layne’s Chicken Fingers
Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER
The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
