FORT MYERS, Fla. – Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s only fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, recently named franchisees Kendal Potesta and Scott Pace as Developers of the Year at the company’s annual conference event held on March 20 in Atlanta.
The Developer of the Year award is given to a franchise owner who has exhibited great assertiveness and enthusiasm in developing and opening one or more Chicken Salad Chick restaurants in an effective, timely and cost-effective manner. The award recognizes a franchisee who collaborates to the highest degree in the restaurant site selection and store opening process, sets a great example for fellow franchisees, sets opening date goals and achieves them, and seeks creative ways to save time and money throughout the development process.
During a time of devastation after Hurricane Ian, Potesta and Pace were able to champion the grand openings of new restaurants in Fort Myers, Estero and Port Charlotte. In less than four months, Potesta and Pace successfully opened all three locations, being the first franchisees to achieve such an accomplishment. Additionally, their restaurants raised a total of more than $10,600 for Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida through community fundraising events called Family and Friends Day. After Ian, Potesta and Pace also led a nationwide Chicken Salad Chick giving initiative which donated and delivered 2,000 fresh meals to frontline workers and first responders after the storm.
In the next couple years, Potesta and Pace plan to open a total of six Chicken Salad Chick restaurants in Southwest Florida, creating around 300 jobs. Despite being new to the franchise, their current locations have continued to soar and break several franchise records. During their opening week, Fort Myers and Port Charlotte ranked No. 1 among all Chicken Salad Chick restaurants. The two locations also broke the franchise record for most money raised during their Family and Friends Day events.
Chicken Salad Chick locations in Fort Myers, Estero and Port Charlotte are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and closed on Sundays. Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and trends or learn more at Facebook.com/ChickenSaladChickFtMyersFL6MileCypress.
About Chicken Salad Chick
Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick’s robust menu is a perfect fit for any guest. Founded in Auburn, Alabama by Stacy and Kevin Brown, in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick has grown to more than 225 restaurants in 17 states. Today, under the leadership of Scott Deviney and the Chicken Salad Chick team, the brand is continuing its rapid expansion with both franchise and company locations. Chicken Salad Chick has received numerous accolades including rankings in the 2022 Entrepreneur Franchise 500, Franchise Times’ Fast & Serious for the second consecutive year, Fast Casual.com‘s top Movers and Shakers from 2018 to 2022, QSR’s Best Franchise Deals in 2019 and 2020, and Franchise Business Review’s Top Food Franchises in 2020. See www.chickensaladchick.com for additional information.
