It started with an act of neighborly kindness. Three decades later and 1,000 miles away, we celebrated a major milestone with the opening of our newest restaurant in Janesville.

When I stopped to clean up some flower beds on my lunch break nearly 30 years ago, I didn’t think much of it. I was stopping into Layne’s Chicken Fingers, which at the time was a small local spot, for lunch — a regular habit of mine — and thought I’d help out a neighbor. But Mike Layne noticed, thought I could be a good addition to the restaurant and brought me on. Fast forward three decades —  it’s May 2024 and I’m in Janesville, Wisconsin, for the opening of Layne’s 17th restaurant.

It was surreal. From working side by side with Mike in my early days to acquiring full ownership, beginning to expand to additional restaurants and eventually entering the franchise space, Layne’s has certainly grown into more than I ever imagined. I knew we had something special with our chicken fingers and house-made sauces, but seeing the expansion across multiple states is something I never dreamed would happen. I figured we might open a few extra restaurants and maybe make our way to Houston, but not all the way to Wisconsin.

 

 

In Janesville, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride thinking of how much hard work has gone into this growth. When I partnered with our incredible team to pursue franchising, I knew we were taking a big step, but I’m not sure I realized just how big of a step it would be. And maybe that’s the beauty of it — I didn’t set out to build a national brand. 

When Layne’s began growing, I was most interested in bringing good food and a welcoming atmosphere to guests who love concepts like ours and entrepreneurs who want to bring something a little different to their communities. Over 1,000 miles away, our great food, better service and guest-focused model resonates.

Even as we grow, our restaurants still feel like home. In Janesville, the atmosphere the team creates in the restaurant feels just like the one our guests experience in College Station. The restaurant itself is similar, but not identical. The personality of Janesville is felt in the restaurant and its design, and it’s incredible to see that vision come to life.

Janesville is part of a larger story for Layne’s. We’re Soon to be FamousTM, we like to say, and we’re well on our way. In addition to 17 open restaurants, we have another 209 sold — about two dozen of which are already in development. The growth didn’t happen overnight, but building up Layne’s infrastructure to support this growth, all while staying true to ourselves, has built us a bright future.

We haven’t lost what made us famous, at least in College Station, to begin with. The love and care that goes into every chicken tender, sauce, piece of toast and milkshake is easy to feel. Fortunately, for everyone throughout the system, the emphasis remains on the culture and experience. Our units sold, revenue and guest count are all great, but this is about so much more than the numbers. Each franchisee that joins the system comes to us with a goal of creating a place that feels like home for their community. They have the same mission I did decades ago when I jumped in to help Mike out. 

 

 

As we continue to grow, I’m confident we’ll keep that small-town charm that makes Layne’s what it is. No matter how many restaurants we open, I know that every Layne’s location will feel like home for our guests. And that’s really what matters most to me.

The Janesville opening was a milestone for us, but it’s only the beginning. Standing there in Wisconsin, watching the first customers walk through the door, I realized that we’re just getting started. There’s so much more potential ahead of us, and it’s exciting to think about where Layne’s will be in the next few years.

I’m grateful for the journey so far, for the franchisees who’ve joined us, for the team that’s helped Layne’s grow into what it is today and, most of all, for the guests who keep coming back. I’ve always said that Layne’s is about more than just chicken — it’s about creating a place where people feel welcome. Seeing people come back to Layne’s when they’re visiting College Station for a football game or remembering the couple who got married at Layne’s reminds me what a special thing we have here. And as long as we keep that heart at the center of what we do, I have no doubt that Layne’s will continue to reach new heights.

While we might be on the path to becoming Soon to be FamousTM, what matters most to me is what Layne’s stands for, regardless of how big we get. The College Station community has welcomed Layne’s with open arms for 30 years now, and I can’t wait to see what the next 30 bring as we continue to find our place in other communities across the country.