Why Did Chicken Salad Chick Close? The Surprising Truth Behind Their Steele Creek Location Shutdown

Has your stomach been grumbling as you drove to your favorite restaurant, only to find it mysteriously closed? That’s what happened to customers of the popular Chicken Salad Chick in Steele Creek, Charlotte. If you’re wondering why your go-to spot for delicious chicken salad varieties suddenly shut down, you’re not the only one. I’ve done some research to find out what really happened with this disappointing event.

The Official Story vs. The Reality

When Chicken Salad Chick’s Steele Creek location first shut down, their Facebook page only said they were “temporarily closed,” and a voicemail said they were sorry for the trouble. This made regulars hopeful that their favorite chicken salad place would open again soon. I remember thinking “Great! Just a minor hiccup in operations. “.

But here’s where things get interesting…

A letter from a lawyer on the door said something very different. In the notice of default from Longleaf Law Partners, it was shown that the landlord, DKC Freeman Crossing, had taken back the property from the tenant, Ashglen Inc. , defaulted on their lease.

So why is it that the restaurant claimed a temporary closure while legal documents suggested something much more permanent? The disconnect between these two messages left customers confused and disappointed.

The Timeline of the Closure

Let’s break down what actually happened:

• February 22, 2024: The lease was officially terminated according to the lawyer’s letter
• After February 22: Despite the termination, Chicken Salad Chick’s Facebook page for the Steele Creek location continued posting food advertisements
• March 4, 2024: Customers found the restaurant dark with a “closed” sign in the window
• March 5, 2024: News of the closure began spreading through media outlets

This timeline reveals something particularly odd – the restaurant’s social media continued promoting their food for almost two weeks after their lease had been terminated! Talk about awkward timing.

The Real Reasons Behind the Closure

Based on the information we have access to, the Chicken Salad Chick in Steele Creek closing seems to have been caused by a number of things:

1. Financial Difficulties

The most obvious reason stated in the legal notice was a lease default. When a tenant defaults on a lease, it typically means they’ve failed to pay rent or meet other financial obligations outlined in their rental agreement. The notice also mentioned that “personal property and equipment in the premises is subject to a lien held by Fifth Third Bank,” suggesting financial troubles beyond just rent payments.

2. Location Challenges

The Steele Creek location opened in January 2022 in The Shoppes of Madison Place near Charlotte Premium Outlets. While being near a shopping outlet might seem ideal, not all retail-adjacent restaurants thrive. Sometimes factors like:

• Insufficient foot traffic
• Competition from other dining options
• Poor visibility
• Challenging parking situations

can make even a popular chain struggle in a specific location.

3. Franchise-Specific Issues

This particular Chicken Salad Chick was a franchise owned by husband and wife Peter and Susan Volk of Ashglen Inc. Franchise operations can face unique challenges that corporate-owned locations might not, including:

• Higher operational costs
• Limited corporate support
• Less financial backing during tough times
• Management inexperience

Impact on the Community

The closure has definitely left a hole in the Steele Creek dining scene. One customer, Tom Reda of Charlotte, expressed his disappointment when he arrived at the restaurant for lunch after a dental appointment: “I always wanted to try it out and you can imagine my disappointment walking up here and seeing it closed.”

On social media platforms like Facebook and NextDoor, other customers shared their surprise with comments like “wow” and “oh no.” It’s clear this restaurant had built a loyal following in its short two-year existence.

The Bigger Picture: Is Chicken Salad Chick In Trouble?

Before you panic about losing your chicken salad fix entirely, here’s some good news: this appears to be an isolated incident rather than a sign of larger problems for the chain.

Chicken Salad Chick, founded in 2008 in Auburn, Alabama, has grown to more than 250 restaurants across 18 states, including 31 stores in North and South Carolina. The company continues to have a strong presence with other Charlotte locations at:

• 7617 Pineville-Matthews Road
• 9516 Riverbend Village

Plus additional restaurants in nearby Concord, Matthews, and Rock Hill.

The fact that only the Steele Creek location closed suggests location-specific issues rather than a brand-wide problem. While we might feel sad about losing this particular spot, the chain itself seems to be doing fine overall.

What Happens to the Space Now?

According to the notice posted on the door, the landlord has “peacefully re-taken possession of the premises” and locked the tenant out. The 2,600-square-foot retail space is now available for a new tenant.

The retail center where Chicken Salad Chick was located is a 32,000-square-foot development by Florida real estate firm Konover South that finished construction in 2021. Being relatively new, the shopping center will likely try to fill the vacancy quickly to maintain its appeal to customers.

Could Chicken Salad Chick Return to Steele Creek?

While nothing is impossible, the circumstances of this closure make a return to this specific location unlikely. The legal notice indicated a formal termination of the lease, which is typically a final action rather than a negotiation tactic.

However, given the chain’s continued expansion in the region, it’s entirely possible they might open another location in the Steele Creek area in the future—just not at this particular address.

Lessons for Restaurant-Goers and Business Owners

This situation offers some valuable takeaways:

For Restaurant Patrons:

• Don’t assume a “temporarily closed” sign means what it says
• Check multiple sources before making a special trip to a restaurant
• Support your favorite local businesses regularly to help them stay afloat

For Business Owners:

• Transparent communication with customers during difficulties builds trust
• Social media messaging should align with reality
• Location is crucial, even for established chains with proven concepts

What Makes Chicken Salad Chick Special?

For those unfamiliar with the chain, you might be wondering why people are so disappointed about this closure. Chicken Salad Chick has carved out a unique niche in the fast-casual restaurant space by offering approximately a dozen different chicken salad flavors ranging from traditional to sweet and spicy variations.

Their menu also includes fresh salads, sandwiches, and desserts, making it a popular lunch destination. The concept focuses on fresh, homemade-style food in a casual, welcoming environment.

Where to Get Your Chicken Salad Fix Now

If you’re a Steele Creek resident mourning the loss of your favorite chicken salad spot, you still have options:

1. Visit other Charlotte locations: The Pineville-Matthews Road and Riverbend Village locations remain open.

2. Make your own: While not quite the same as having it prepared for you, chicken salad is relatively simple to make at home. Experiment with different mix-ins like grapes, nuts, and herbs to find your favorite variation.

3. Check out local delis and grocery stores: Many grocery store delis and local sandwich shops offer their own versions of chicken salad.

The Future of Fast-Casual Dining in Charlotte

The closure of this Chicken Salad Chick location raises questions about the overall health of the fast-casual dining sector in Charlotte. The city has seen significant growth in restaurant options in recent years, potentially creating a saturated market where only the strongest survive.

However, the continued success of other Chicken Salad Chick locations in the region suggests that concept-driven, niche restaurants can still thrive when properly located and managed.

My Final Thoughts

As someone who enjoys a good chicken salad sandwich, I understand the disappointment when a favorite lunch spot suddenly disappears. The closure of the Steele Creek Chicken Salad Chick seems to be primarily due to financial and lease issues specific to that location rather than problems with the brand itself.

While we may never know all the behind-the-scenes details that led to this closure, it serves as a reminder of the challenges facing restaurant operations, particularly franchises, in today’s competitive market.

If you’re a fan of the chain, the best way to prevent more closures is to continue supporting the remaining locations. And who knows? Perhaps with enough customer demand, we’ll see a new Chicken Salad Chick location pop up in Steele Creek in the future.

Have you been affected by this restaurant closure? Did you have a favorite chicken salad flavor at Chicken Salad Chick? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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This article was updated on September 18, 2025, with the most current information available about the Chicken Salad Chick closure in Steele Creek, Charlotte.