L
ayne’s Chicken Fingers now operates 34 outlets across nine states, with 22 in Texas. CEO Garrett Reed reports 14 sites under construction and six additional openings scheduled for the current year. The franchise’s average unit volume stands at $1.98 million, and the total investment ranges from $451,500 to $1.1 million. Reed projects a 100 % growth rate for the second consecutive year, aiming for 40 locations by year‑end and 80–85 by next year.
Eli Cohen, a managing partner at C5 Restaurants and co‑founder of Cohen Rojas Capital Partners, has secured a 44‑unit development agreement with Layne’s, the largest multi‑unit deal the brand has ever signed. Cohen, whose background is in real‑estate investment rather than restaurant operations, has a history of acquiring high‑performing sites and aligning with successful operators. Earlier this year he purchased six top‑performing Fazoli’s locations in West Texas and entered a four‑unit partnership with the emerging cheeseburger and shake chain Smalls Sliders.
Cohen plans to open his first two Layne’s locations in Lubbock next spring, likely through conversion or acquisition rather than new construction. He emphasizes data analysis, stating he enjoys dissecting profit‑and‑loss statements to understand brand performance. He sees chicken as a growing category and appreciates Layne’s streamlined menu, which he believes facilitates operational efficiency.
Layne’s, founded by Mike Layne in 1994 and franchising since 2017, has experienced rapid expansion. Reed highlighted that well‑capitalized multi‑unit operators like Cohen accelerate growth. He cited other recent large deals: a 25‑unit Whataburger agreement, a 15‑unit Scott Davis deal in Utah, a 13‑unit addition with the Bergeson family in Wisconsin, a 12‑unit Wendy’s partnership with Ricki Oberoi in the Rio Grande Valley, an eight‑unit “Big Country” deal covering 22 Texas counties, and a 22‑unit Arby’s contract with Doug McGuire in Ohio.
Cohen noted that the six Fazoli’s he acquired rank among the brand’s top performers, with five in the top 12 systemwide and an average unit volume of approximately $1.1 million. Fazoli’s, a FAT Brands franchise, generated $266 million in system sales last year, down 7.5 %. While he has yet to open any Smalls Sliders locations in the Lubbock, Amarillo, Abilene, or San Angelo markets, he remains optimistic about the potential, citing West Texas’s strong performance—over 50 % above the average unit volume.
Although Cohen did not develop the Fazoli’s sites, he describes them as a “well‑oiled machine” under the leadership of Mark Crayne and seasoned district and general managers. He hopes to replicate that success across his other quick‑service brands.
Overall, the partnership between Layne’s and Cohen signals a significant expansion in Texas, with the brand poised to add dozens of new locations while leveraging Cohen’s real‑estate acumen and proven track record in high‑performing restaurant operations.
