Operations

Layne's Chicken Fingers opens in Janesville, Wisconsin

Photo: Layne's Chicken Fingers

October 24, 2024

Layne's Chicken Fingers has opened a location in Janesville, Wisconsin, according to a press release.

"When I was the sole owner, before I partnered with the team to pursue franchising, I never envisioned being able to expand like this," Mike Garratt, founder of Layne's, said in the press release. "I thought that maybe I would have a restaurant in Houston, but we were pretty localized to College Station (Texas). Spreading to different states is a whole new level of growth, and it's even cooler to see the restaurant incorporate things that are important to its unique community. It has the welcoming feel of the Layne's we have in College Station, but they've made it their own. I got emotional at the opening itself, and I still have a hard time putting into words just how proud I am of this accomplishment."

Layne's has 17 open restaurants and signed agreements for another 209, 10 of which have secured leases and 12 of which are in the early stages of development. In the first half of this year, the system saw an 11% increase in same-store-sales compared to 2023 numbers, and it continues to see surging guest traffic numbers, too.

The Janesville location is owned by franchisees Randy Bergeson and his sons, Josh and Lucas.

"Going to the Janesville opening with Mike was such a cool experience," Samir Wattar, chief operating officer, said in the press release.. "Layne's has seen incredible growth in the span of just a few short years, and having the founder — who never imagined the brand reaching these heights — alongside us, getting emotional as we planted a flag in a new state, just reaffirms the value of the work we're doing."

The brand was founded in 1994 in College Station, Texas. The brand offers several models for franchisees.