CHICKEN SALAD CHICK CONTINUES FLORIDA EXPANSION, OPENING FIRST RESTAURANT IN SARASOTA COUNTY

Fast casual concept coming to Fruitville Farms on September 29, celebrating with free chicken salad for a year and appearances by famed sports broadcaster, Dick Vitale

ATLANTA, Sept. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's only fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today the opening of its newest restaurant in Florida, located at 6650 Fruitville Road in the Fruitville Farms shopping center in Sarasota, just east of I-75. The local community is invited to celebrate this grand opening on Tuesday, September 29, when the first 100 guests in line will win free chicken salad for a year*. The celebration will also feature special appearances by legendary sports broadcaster Dick Vitale, who will attend the restaurant's Friends & Family event and ribbon cutting ceremony on behalf of the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

During the grand opening week, guests can expect to experience the Southern hospitality Chicken Salad Chick is known for while taking advantage of various specials and giveaways. These include:

• Tuesday, September 29 – Free Chicken Salad for a Year to the First 100 Guests – The first guest in line at 10:30am will receive one FREE large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for an entire year. The next 99 guests in line will receive one FREE large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for a year.*
• Wednesday, September 30 – The first 50 guests to purchase a meal with two sides or equivalent will receive a free 16oz Tervis Tumbler!**
• Thursday, October 1 – The first 50 guests to purchase a meal with two sides or equivalent will receive a FREE Red Grocery Tote!**
• Friday, October 2 – The first 50 guests to purchase a meal with two sides or equivalent will receive a FREE large Chick Cooler!**
• Saturday, October 3 – The first 50 guests to purchase a meal with two sides or equivalent will receive a FREE large Quick Chick on their next visit!**

Chicken Salad Chick of Sarasota – Fruitville Farms is the third restaurant owned and operated by franchise owner, Karen Jordan. Through her franchise group, Manasota Chick, LLC, she also owns locations in Bradenton and Parrish, with Parrish recently opening in December 2025. Karen is very engaged with her community, serving as an active member of organizations like Successful Women Aligning Together, Discover Bradenton, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. She also serves on the board of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Parrish Area Business Alliance. Family is a top priority for her as well, and she's excited to share this new chapter with them – especially as they recently welcomed their seventh grandchild.

"Opening my third Chicken Salad Chick restaurant is a really exciting milestone for me," said Karen Jordan, franchise owner, Chicken Salad Chick of Sarasota – Fruitville Farms. "This past year has been incredibly meaningful for my team and I – from providing free meals to children during the SNAP benefits lapse, to being named a finalist for Small Business of the Year in Manatee County by the Chamber of Commerce, I'm so proud of what we've accomplished and excited for what's ahead. My team and I are driven every day by The Chick's mission of to 'Spread Joy, Enrich Lives, and Serve Others,' and I can't wait to bring that same experience to our new guests in Sarasota County."

The Sarasota opening will also feature renowned broadcaster Dick Vitale, a longtime advocate for pediatric cancer research and supporter of the V Foundation for Cancer Research. As part of the pre-opening Friends & Family events, funds will be raised for the nonprofit, which was founded by ESPN and Jim Valvano to support groundbreaking cancer research. Guests will have the opportunity to meet Vitale, purchase signed copies of his book, and learn more about the annual Dick Vitale Gala, scheduled for May 7, 2027 to help raise money for pediatric cancer research.

Chicken Salad Chick is known for its dozen-plus varieties of made-from-scratch chicken salad flavors, fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches, and desserts. The new Sarasota – Fruitville Farms restaurant offers in-restaurant dining, outdoor patio, take-out, third-party delivery, and catering options.

"Karen is an amazing franchise owner and her passion for serving others has been vital for our growth in Southwest Florida," said Scott Deviney, CEO and President of Chicken Salad Chick. "We're thrilled to open our first restaurant in Sarasota County and to have Dick Vitale join us for such a special occasion. Community involvement and charitable giving are core to Chicken Salad Chick, and we're honored to support the V Foundation and its mission to advance life-saving cancer research."

Chicken Salad Chick of Sarasota – Fruitville Farms will be open Monday – Saturday from 10:30am – 8pm. For more information on giveaways and specials, visit the restaurant's Facebook. Visit www.chickensaladchick.com, and 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 a meal with two sides, 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. Guest must be 16 years or older. Not valid with any other offers. Limit 1 reward per guest present.

**Guest must be 16 years or older and purchase a meal with two sides or equivalent. Limit 1 reward per guest present. Not valid with any other offers. In-restaurant 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 plus fresh sides, soups, sandwiches, desserts and catering, there's something for every guest and occasion. Chicken Salad Chick has grown to more than 345 restaurants across 27 states and continues its rapid expansion driven by a passionate network of franchise owners. The brand has earned consistent recognition from Entrepreneur, Franchise Times, Fast Casual, QSR, Southern Living, USA Today, and Technomic, among others. Visit www.chickensaladchick.com to learn more.

Contact:
Alexis Paul
Tidehouse
954-893-9150
[email protected]

SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick