LELAND — A local couple that opened the area’s first fast, casual chicken salad restaurant chain has announced the launch of their latest expansion.
Shane and Haley Pinder will open the second Chicken Salad Chick one county over in Leland on April 12.
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Located at Olde Waterford Way, along Highway 17, the Pinders moved from Virginia to Wilmington to open the first location on Military Cutoff Road in 2019.
“We are grateful for all the support we have received in Wilmington and are eager to share our passion for service with the opening of our Chick in Leland. It’s a wonderful, family-centered community and one of the fastest-growing towns in North Carolina,” Haley Pinder explained in a press release.
The franchise began in Auburn, Alabama, in 2008 from founders Stacy and Kevin Brown. It started when Stacy was selling chicken salad door-to-door upon the dissolution of her first marriage and to care for her three children. She and Kevin moved the recipes into a restaurant format, and by 2016 CSC was ranked in the top 50 fastest growing companies.
Today it has more than 225 locations in 17 states.
Chicken Salad Chick’s menu includes a dozen flavors of chicken salad, including traditional Southern (sweet pickles and mayo) and spicy jalapeño, barbecue and lemon-basil, served as scoops with crackers, on a salad or sandwich.
There are also two flavors of pimento cheese and egg salad, along with turkey sammies, soups, salads and sides on the menu.
At Leland’s grand opening April 12, the Pinders will be giving away free chicken salad for a year to the first 100 guests who purchase “The Chick” or an item greater in value. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. to secure a place in line; it’s required to download the Craving Credits app ahead of time.
There will be other giveaways to the first 50 people that arrive daily through Saturday, April 15, including totes, food and cutting boards.
“We have enjoyed getting to know our guests and working alongside our staff to serve them, and we are excited to continue our journey with a brand that values faith and family, while providing everyone’s favorite fresh, made-from-scratch menu items to Brunswick County,” Hayley added in the release.
Unlike Wilmington’s eatery, the Leland location will be outfitted with a drive-thru window to serve on-the-go patrons.
Aside from scooping traditional Southern fare, the franchise also donates to causes through its Chicken Salad Chick Foundation, which began in 2015 after founder Kevin was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and passed away. CSC Foundation donates annually to the American Cancer Society and pairs up with restaurants in different markets to give back to the local food banks, in an effort to fight food-insecurities in its communities.
Locally, the franchisees have worked with Nourish NC and Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard. The also have a Giving Card program, where every December a portion of proceeds go to the Chicken Salad Chick Foundation.
Chicken Salad Chick in Leland will be open Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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