Chicken Salad Chick: Franchisees' Community Impact (2024)

Chicken Salad Chick is more than a franchise – we’re a community-driven brand dedicated to spreading joy, enriching lives, and serving others. In a series of interviews, Chicken Salad Chick franchisees Paul Rohr, Melissa Zutell, and Bob Wiggins shared touching stories that capture the essence of Chicken Salad Chick’s profound commitment to community service.

Paul Rohr, a veteran with a background in tech, embarked on his franchising journey with Chicken Salad Chick after his wife’s delightful encounter with our signature chicken salad in South Carolina. Intrigued by our simple kitchen model, Paul opened five Chicken Salad Chick restaurants. Six months after opening his first store, Paul sought out the expertise of multi-unit manager Dee to oversee the operation of his 4-store business. Grateful for her exceptional contributions to the success of their business, Paul and his wife made Dee part-owner of their entire organization, proving their commitment to empowering those integral to the growth and development of their business. Paul's commitment to the community goes beyond serving delicious chicken salad. Through Chicken Salad Chick’s national Giving Cards initiative, Paul’s team supports CURE Childhood Cancer and the team supports Folds of Honor on a local level, raising significant scholarship funds for the families of fallen soldiers and first responders. Last year, Paul and his team successfully raised $27,000 for these organizations. With five current locations and plans for a sixth in 2024, Paul Rohr's journey with Chicken Salad Chick reflects a dedication to family values, community support, and continuous growth.

Melissa Zutell embarked on her franchising journey while working as a franchise consultant for Domino’s. Fueled by her passion for operations, Melissa sought a franchise opportunity that aligned with her values and offered a healthy work-life balance. Inspired by founder Stacy Brown's episode on the "How I Built This with Guy Raz” podcast, Melissa found her perfect fit in Chicken Salad Chick. Since joining forces, Melissa and her team have been committed to uplifting the communities they serve, saying, “At the most basic level, we are not open if people aren’t supporting us. I have to give back to those who are keeping us open." In addition to selling Giving Cards to help those in her community, Melissa and her team make a deliberate effort to minimize food waste by donating surplus fresh chicken salad to local food banks, embodying values of sustainability and compassion.

For Bob Wiggins and his wife, Penny, a serendipitous encounter with Chicken Salad Chick founders, Stacy and Kevin Brown, left a lasting impression. Despite initial reservations due to a recent exit from the franchising industry, the Chicken Salad Chick mission resonated deeply with Bob’s values. Community engagement is a cornerstone of the Chicken Salad Chick franchising model, and as a seasoned franchisee, Bob recognized its significance in building a successful business. Since opening, Bob and his team have participated in local events, such as the Christmas Village and the Women’s Expo, and donate food to local schools, hospitals, churches, and more. Bob shared, “The more you invest in the community, the more the community reciprocates.” Chicken Salad Chick encourages franchisees to become community leaders, as evident in Bob and Penny's experience, where community involvement has become an integral part of their brand identity.

The stories of Paul Rohr, Melissa Zutell, and Bob Wiggins provide a glimpse into the heart of Chicken Salad Chick – a place where people come together to make a positive impact. As an entire organization, Chicken Salad Chick was able to raise a record-setting $525,225 from 113,258 Giving Cards sold at more than 250 locations in 2023. Chicken Salad Chick’s impact goes beyond the heartwarming flavors of our food, it extends into the hearts of those who embody its spirit, creating a legacy of spreading joy, enriching lives, and serving others through community. At Chicken Salad Chick, our journey is not just about business growth; it’s about creating a meaningful impact in the lives of others and the communities they call home.

Discover how you can bring the joy of Chicken Salad Chick to your community, driven by passion and purpose. Contact us to explore our franchise opportunities today and start your own journey of service, family, and flavor, creating lasting impacts in your community just like Paul, Melissa, and Bob.