News

Church's launches major 10-year expansion

November 3, 2016

Church's Chicken is kicking off a $40 million 10-year expansion in the U.S. which was made possible with the help of a veteran franchise group and financing partner.

Volunteer Chicken LLC has secured the rights to open 10 restaurants with financial backing provided by American Development Partners, according to a press release. New markets include the Tennessee cities of Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, while another 10-restaurant deal is expected in five years. 

Franchisee and Volunteer Chicken Principal Partner Larry Lavigne is a franchise owner of 25 Jett's Pizza restaurants, most in Tennessee. A news release said he is also involved in Tennessee Smoothie Café restaurants. 

His partner, Nirav Patel, owns and operates a number of high-volume New Jersey and New York locations and has previously owned sites of brands like The Melting Pot, Tilted Kilt, and World of Beer.

The group and financing partner, ADP, will open its first Church's location in the fall of 2017, followed by the remaining sites over the next five years. 

"This is a substantial deal for American Development Partners, and for our business partners, Volunteer Chicken," said ADP COO Caleb McMillen, in a news release. "We've estimated the real estate, construction, and design value will be worth more than $40 million after the initial roll out of units is complete."