Houston's food scene is gearing up to give a big Southern ‘howdy’ to Layne’s Chicken Fingers’ latest outpost, set to open in Montrose on January 20. Known for dishing out hand-breaded chicken tenders that have garnered a loyal following among Texas A&M students in College Station, the popular chain is bringing its crunchy comfort food to a new neighborhood.
At the helm of the expansion is Masroor Fatany, who himself used to quickly scarf down Layne's chicken tenders during his finance studies at Texas A&M. After years away from such casual culinary delights, Fatany is now not only bringing Layne's to the Inner Loop but is also “aggressively looking” to to almost aggressively open five more locations in the Houston area, as reported by Houston Chronicle.
The new 2359 S. Shepherd location is taking over a space that has been vacant for nearly a decade, giving residents something to cluck about. Adding to the buzz, the grand opening event promises giveaways including a menu of fan favorites. According to Houston Chronicle, "there will be giveaways including a free meal for every month in 2024 for the first 10 customers in line and the first 10 cars at the drive-thru."
Expansion plans for Layne’s definitely don't to aim stop at the Lone Star State's borders. The chain is eyeing markets in Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. This comes amid a significant shuffle within the ranks, as Eric Reed, the seasoned industry pro from Dutch Bros., Chili's, and Starbucks, has taken the role of Chief Development Officer. In a bid to rocket Layne's brand recognition to stellar heights, Reed envisions a future where the chain's iconography alone hauls in the hungry hordes. “My ultimate, long-term goal is to get Layne's to the point that all we have to do is put an Astro Chicken on the sign in front of the restaurant and people know who we are,” Reed said, as reported by Chron.com.
Whether it’s the chicken tenders served with Texas toast or the crispy chicken club sandwich loaded with bacon and cheddar, Layne's Chicken Fingers is proving that Texas bred can also be Texas spread. As Fatany, who's also the franchisee behind seven Halal Guys locations in Houston, told the Houston Chronicle, “Layne’s is Texas bred and breaded.”
