Layne's Chicken Fingers is the choice for the Khan family as they venture into the chicken franchise business.
They aim to open 15 locations across Texas, embarking on a new beginning in the fast-food industry.
Expanding Layne's Chicken Fingers
Shahroz Khan, faced with options like Raising Cane's and Chick-fil-A, ultimately decided to partner with Layne's Chicken Fingers.
With the help of seven cousins, Khan is set to launch 15 locations from Austin to Waco. Multiple factors influenced his decision, reports The U.S. Sun.
Khan, equipped with an engineering background and an MBA, along with his highly educated cousins, chose to venture into the chicken franchising business. Chicken is the most consumed meat in the U.S., which made this sector particularly appealing to them.
Chick-fil-A was initially considered but was ruled out due to its stringent requirement for a minimum of 10 years of restaurant experience, which exceeded what Khan possessed. However, Layne's Chicken Fingers's culture was a significant draw.
It offered a welcoming and supportive environment and provided comprehensive guidance to its franchisees, ensuring their success.
The decisive moment for Khan came during a conversation with Layne's owner. He was asked to envision joining Chick-fil-A if it had only 15 locations, which solidified his decision to go with Layne's.
Layne's Chicken Fingers, based in Frisco, Texas, continues to grow robustly. It currently boasts 17 open locations, eight more expected this year, and 220 units signed by franchisees.
According to WFAA, the expansion plan includes many locations in Texas-covering the Houston metro, East Texas, Austin area, and North San Antonio-and extends nationally into states like Ohio, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia.
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Khan Not Alone in Bringing Layne's Franchise to Austin
Khan is not alone in bringing Layne's Chicken Fingers to Austin. According to the Austin Business Journal, Noah Cara has also committed to opening approximately five new locations in the southern part of the metro area.
This expansion detail was confirmed by Samir Wattar, Layne's Chief Operating Officer.
Wattar further noted that Central Texas can support 20 to 25 Layne's Chicken Fingers restaurants, indicating significant growth potential in the region.
Khan and Cara are securing prime locations for their Layne's Chicken Fingers restaurants in Austin, facing a tough real estate market with a 97% retail occupancy rate, per CBRE. Khan noted the intense competition, with limited available spaces often already in deals.
Opening a Layne's in Austin requires a significant investment, ranging from $700,000 for in-line sites to $1.5 million for ground-up builds. Khan plans to open 15 locations over nine years, collaborating with The Retail Strategy and broker Mark Stanislawski. Each location is expected to generate $1.9 million in annual revenue.
Meanwhile, Masroor Fatany, the owner of a Layne's Chicken Fingers franchise in Katy, Texas, speaks highly of the brand on their website's testimonial section. He appreciates the quality and affordability of Layne's food, which he believes everyone enjoys.
Fatany also values his connection to the brand, noting that the corporate team's passion and support greatly enhance his confidence in their desire for franchisee success.
This relationship and the brand's strong following in College Station, where he went to college, solidified his decision to join Layne's family.
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