Chicken Salad Chick Brings Southern Comfort Food To Northern Virginia
FAIRFAX, VA — Chicken Salad Chick, a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in chicken salad dishes, soup and sandwiches, cut the ribbon on its new location in the Greenbriar Town Center on Wednesday morning.
“We make 12 different types of chicken salad every single day from scratch with the highest quality of ingredients,” said owner Devon Chamberlin. “We are a franchise that originated in Auburn, Alabama, and we’re making our way up north.”
Chicken Salad Chick is a rapidly expanding company, with nearly 285 restaurants, growing by 30-40 locations annually.
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“We’re a sassy, sophisticated concept with delicious pimento cheese, chicken salad, egg salad, more than just the chicken salad,” Chamberlin said. “It’s a lot of different stuff, great desserts, fresh sides, and we really kind of bring that Southern comfort to Northern Virginia.”
When asked what a first-time diner at Chicken Salad Chick should order, Chamberlin was quick to answer.
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“Our seasonal, limited-time offering right now is our bacon cheddar melt, which is delicious,” she said. “We also have a spinach seasonal salad, which has feta and cranberries and pecans and bacon, and it’s absolutely delicious. So, I would say a combination of the two, since they’re only here for a short period of time, would be great.”
Growing up in Oakton, Chamberlin moved to Tallahassee, Florida, when she was 13. That’s where she first encountered the Chicken Salad Chick brand.
The Arlington entrepreneur formed the CSC Nova LLC investment group with her father Patrick Cavanaugh, and father-in-law, Barry Chamberlin. They signed a multi-unit deal with Chicken Salad Chick to open eight locations in Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
The three partners opened their first restaurant at 7505 Leesburg Pike in Pimmit last summer.
“I’m from here,” Chamberlin said, when asked why she wanted to open a franchise in Fairfax. “Getting back to my roots, bringing this wonderful concept to this community, I thought was really important.”
Jennifer Rose, executive director of the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, was one of the local business leaders taking part in the ribbon cutting. She described how businesses like Chicken Salad Chick can benefit the community.
“It’s a locally owned franchise, and it’s a relatively new brand in the community,” she said. “It’s going to bring a lot of buzz and excitement, more opportunities for employment, more dining options that are delicious.”
Springfield Supervisor Pat Herrity, who was also on hand to celebrate the restaurant’s opening, thanked the three owners for choosing to invest in Fairfax County.
“You had choices, and I’m glad you chose Fairfax County,” he said. “I love your description of ‘We needed something here that’s warm and fuzzy and delicious,’ and that’s what this looks like.”
As part of Friday’s ceremony, Chicken Salad Chick was giving away free chicken salad to the first 100 guests, along with additional prizes like tote bags, service tumblers, and goodie bags for dog lovers. The grand prize was a year’s supply of chicken salad, with the first person in line receiving it weekly and others receiving it monthly.
Chicken Salad Chick is located at 13057 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway in Greenbriar Town Center. The restaurant is open 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sunday.
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