Fast casual concept to celebrate the grand opening of its seventh restaurant in Oklahoma on May 6, offering free chicken salad for a year.
(PRNewswire) April 22, 2025 — Chicken Salad Chick, the only fast casual chicken salad restaurant chain in the country, opened its seventh restaurant in Oklahoma today at 1110 E 2nd Street, near Target and Lowes Home Improvement. The local community is invited to celebrate this grand opening on Tuesday, May 6, where the first 100 guests in line will win free chicken salad for a year*.
During the grand opening week, guests can expect to experience the Southern hospitality that Chicken Salad Chick is known for, as well as a community focused mindset with various specials and giveaways. These include:
Chicken Salad Chick of Edmond is owned and operated by Troy Morrison, a seasoned restaurant franchise owner with an extensive portfolio. In addition to overseeing three Chicken Salad Chick restaurants, Morrison manages more than 100 Taco Bell and Wingstop franchises nationwide. He has big plans to grow Chicken Salad Chick. He has bought the rights to four more locations in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa markets. He is opening his fourth store, and the third in the Oklahoma City market, as part of his franchise group, Meauxmentum Strategies and Investments.
Morrison has been rapidly growing his Chicken Salad Chick footprint, having opened Chicken Salad Chick of Moore in August 2024 and Oklahoma City – Quail Springs in October 2024. His expansion efforts extend beyond Oklahoma; in early 2025, he acquired the rights to develop 14 additional locations across Austin, TX, and Indianapolis, IN. Most recently, he celebrated the opening of his third location in Pflugerville, TX in late-March 2025.
“Im excited about my future with Chicken Salad Chick and the opportunity to continue expanding with such a strong and beloved brand,” said Troy Morrison, franchise owner of Chicken Salad Chick of Edmond. “From Oklahoma to Texas and beyond, I see tremendous potential for growth and communities seeking fresh dining options. The brands unique concept, focus on hospitality, and commitment to quality food resonates deeply with my team and our guests. I look forward to sharing Chicken Salad Chicks one-of-a-kind experience with the Edmond community soon.”
Chicken Salad Chick is known for its dozen-plus variety of made-from-scratch chicken salad flavors, fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches, and desserts. The new Edmond restaurant offers in-restaurant and outdoor patio dining, take-out, third-party delivery, and catering options.
“Were thrilled to continue expanding in Oklahoma with Troy Morrison,” said Scott Deviney, president and CEO of Chicken Salad Chick. “A little over a month ago, Troy opened his third Chicken Salad Chick restaurant in Texas and quickly saw success. His strong business acumen, paired with his passion for hospitality, makes him an outstanding franchise owner to continue growing with in Oklahoma. Edmond is a fantastic community that values fresh, high-quality food and a welcoming atmosphere – both of which are at the heart of what we do. We look forward to seeing him bring even more Oklahomans together over a meal at Chicken Salad Chick.”
Giving back to the community is an important focus for the Edmond team and the Chicken Salad Chick brand, which established the CSC Foundation to support CURE Childhood Cancer and local food banks with fundraisers throughout the year. As part of pre-opening Friends & Family events in Edmond, the restaurant will be raising money for The Toby Keith Foundation, which funds the building and operation of the “OK Kids Korral,” a home-away-from-home for children battling cancer.
Chicken Salad Chick of Edmond will be open Monday – Saturday from 10am – 8pm. For more information, visit www.chickensaladchick.com. Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and trends.
*Guests should arrive early to secure a place in line. The first 100 guests must remain in line and download the Chicken Salad Chick app. Wi-Fi will not be available on site. Once the restaurant opens, guests will make a purchase of “The Chick” or anything of equal/greater value and enter a code in the Chicken Salad Chick app to officially secure their spot. If you leave the line for any reason, your spot will be awarded to the next guest in line. Guests will receive their first free Large Quick Chick electronically to their app the Monday following Grand Opening Day. Your reward will be valid for redemption for 30 days upon delivery.
**Must download the Chicken Salad Chick app, be 16 years or older, and purchase a Chick Trio. Not valid with any other offers. Limit 1 reward per guest present. Dine in only.
***Guest must be 16 years or older and must purchase two Large Quick Chicks. Not valid with any other offers. Limit 1 reward per guest present. Dine in only.
****Guest must be 16 years or older and must purchase the Chick Special. Not valid with any other offers. Limit 1 reward per guest present. Dine in only.
About Chicken Salad Chick Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chicks robust menu is a perfect fit for any guest. Founded in Auburn, Alabama, by Stacy and Kevin Brown, in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick has grown to more than 295 restaurants in 21 states. Today, under the leadership of Scott Deviney and the Chicken Salad Chick team, the brand is continuing its rapid expansion with both franchise and company locations. Chicken Salad Chick has received numerous accolades including rankings in the 2023 Entrepreneur Franchise 500, Franchise Times Fast & Serious for the third consecutive year, Fast Casuals Top Movers and Shakers from 2018 to 2024, QSRs Best Franchise Deals in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2024, and Franchise Business Reviews Top Food Franchises list from 2019-2024. See www.chickensaladchick.com for additional information.
Have you ever really liked a restaurant and then all of a sudden it closed? That’s what happened to Chicken Salad Chick fans across Oklahoma when the chain suddenly closed all of its restaurants in the state. You’re not the only one who wants to know what went wrong with this popular chicken salad spot!
I’ve tried a lot of chicken salad as a food blogger (I’ve become a bit of a chicken salad snob over the years!), so I was shocked when I heard about the closings. So I looked into it to find out the real reasons for this surprising decision to leave the Sooner State.
The Timeline: When Did Chicken Salad Chick Leave Oklahoma?
According to my research Chicken Salad Chick closed all its Oklahoma locations in late 2019 though some sources suggest the final closures may have extended into 2023. The chain had opened approximately five locations across Oklahoma after expanding into the state around 2017, meaning their Oklahoma experiment lasted only about two years.
What makes this particularly interesting is that during this same period Chicken Salad Chick was actually experiencing growth in other states! So what went wrong specifically in Oklahoma?
The Perfect Storm: Multiple Factors Behind the Closure
After looking at all the available data, it’s clear that Chicken Salad Chick’s leaving Oklahoma wasn’t caused by a single event. In reality, the perfect storm was caused by a number of problems:
1. Profitability Issues in the Oklahoma Market
The most significant factor appears to be straightforward: the Oklahoma locations weren’t profitable enough. Running a restaurant is tough business with thin margins, and if sales don’t meet projections, tough decisions must be made.
Several specific issues contributed to this profitability problem:
- Higher operational costs compared to other markets where Chicken Salad Chick operates
- Supply chain logistics that were more complicated in Oklahoma’s geographic position
- Labor costs that continued to rise, squeezing already tight margins
2. A Lawsuit That Shook Confidence
Perhaps the most dramatic development was a lawsuit filed against Chicken Salad Chick by two former Oklahoma franchisees. According to South Coast Sushi, these franchisees alleged that the company:
- Breached their franchise agreement
- Failed to provide adequate training and support
- Didn’t deliver promised marketing assistance
- Failed to fulfill obligations under the franchise disclosure document
This legal battle definitely cast a shadow over the brand’s operations in Oklahoma, and it’s likely one of the reasons they decided to leave the market for good.
3. Franchise Performance Issues
The success of any franchise depends heavily on individual franchise owners and their ability to execute the business model effectively. While specific details aren’t publicly available, it appears that consistency across Oklahoma locations may have been an issue.
As someone who’s visited many restaurant chains across different states, I can tell you firsthand that inconsistent execution can kill a brand’s reputation quickly!
4. Cultural Fit and Consumer Preferences
Oklahoma’s food scene has its own unique character, heavily influenced by:
- Barbecue traditions
- Southern comfort food
- Tex-Mex cuisine
While chicken salad is certainly enjoyed in Oklahoma, it may not have the same cultural significance or appeal as it does in Chicken Salad Chick’s core southeastern markets. The brand’s concept, which works beautifully in Alabama (where it was founded), might not have resonated as strongly with Oklahoma consumers.
5. The COVID-19 Wild Card
While the pandemic hit after the initial Oklahoma closures in 2019, it’s worth noting that COVID-19 created unprecedented challenges for restaurants everywhere. If Chicken Salad Chick was already on shaky ground in Oklahoma, the pandemic would have made any potential return to the market much more difficult.
What This Means for Chicken Salad Fans in Oklahoma
If you’re an Oklahoman who misses your Fancy Nancy or Dixie Chick chicken salad fix, I feel your pain! The good news is that Chicken Salad Chick continues to thrive in other states, with over 170 locations across the southeastern United States.
While there are currently no announced plans to return to Oklahoma, the restaurant industry is constantly evolving. Never say never!
In the meantime, you have a few options:
- Road trip to the nearest location in another state (I’ve definitely driven two hours for good food before!)
- Try making your own versions at home (I’ve experimented with copycat recipes with decent success)
- Explore local alternatives that might fill the chicken salad void in your life
Lessons for Other Restaurant Chains
The Chicken Salad Chick Oklahoma story offers valuable lessons for other restaurant chains considering expansion:
- Do thorough market research before entering new territories
- Understand local food preferences and be willing to adapt
- Ensure strong franchise owner selection and training
- Maintain consistent quality across all locations
- Build strong communication channels between corporate and franchisees
What Happened to Employees?
Whenever restaurants close, my heart goes out to the employees who suddenly find themselves without jobs. While specific details about severance packages aren’t publicly available, the closure of all Oklahoma locations certainly impacted numerous workers.
In cases like this, employees typically receive minimal notice and may or may not receive severance depending on company policies and state laws. This human element is often overlooked in business decisions but represents real livelihoods affected by such closures.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Was Chicken Salad Chick performing poorly in all Oklahoma locations?
While specific sales figures aren’t publicly available, the decision to close all locations suggests that none were performing at levels deemed sustainable by corporate leadership.
Did Chicken Salad Chick try adjusting its menu or pricing for Oklahoma?
There’s no clear evidence of significant menu or pricing adjustments specifically for the Oklahoma market, though most chains do make some regional adaptations.
Will Chicken Salad Chick ever return to Oklahoma?
As of now, there are no announced plans to re-enter the Oklahoma market, but future expansion could potentially include a return if market conditions change.
Where can I find good chicken salad in Oklahoma now?
Oklahoma still offers numerous local delis and restaurants serving excellent chicken salad. I’d recommend exploring local options and reading online reviews to discover new favorites in your area.
Was the decision made by corporate or individual franchise owners?
Based on the available information, it appears the decision to exit the Oklahoma market entirely was likely made at the corporate level, though individual franchise performance certainly influenced this decision.
My Final Thoughts
As someone who loves exploring regional restaurant chains, the Chicken Salad Chick Oklahoma situation highlights how challenging the restaurant business can be. Even concepts that thrive in one region can struggle in another due to subtle differences in consumer preferences, operational challenges, and market dynamics.
What I find most interesting is how a combination of factors – from lawsuit troubles to operational costs to cultural fit – created conditions where continuing in Oklahoma no longer made business sense for Chicken Salad Chick.
For those of us who love discovering unique restaurant concepts, this serves as a reminder to appreciate our favorite spots while they’re here! You never know when a chain might decide your state isn’t in their long-term plans.
Have you tried Chicken Salad Chick? Were you affected by the Oklahoma closures? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and represents my analysis of the situation. I have no inside information from Chicken Salad Chick corporate offices or franchise owners.
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