Dublin was up early Tuesday as Chicken Salad Chick finally flipped on the open sign at 10 a.m. in the Shoppes at River Ridge near Bridge Park. The real early birds, though, were the fans who camped out overnight or drove for hours, all chasing a grand opening promo that put a year's worth of chicken salad on the line for the first 100 guests.
The stakes were clearly spelled out in a brand announcement. The new restaurant at 4345 West Dublin-Granville Road promised the first person in line a free large Quick Chick every week for a year, with the next 99 guests scoring a free large Quick Chick once a month for a year. The promo came with a week of extra giveaways as well, according to PR Newswire. To lock in the reward, winners had to stay in line, download the Chicken Salad Chick app and make a qualifying purchase.
Local reporters who dropped by overnight found a committed crowd and a few road warriors who insisted the pursuit was worth it. One woman who drove from Louisville told cameras, "it’s free camping and they give you...come here and camp out," adding that she has now turned up for 21 restaurant openings. WSYX/CW Columbus shared photos by Edwin Wilson that showed customers lined up outside the Shoppes at River Ridge.
Local Owner And Chain Background
The Dublin outpost is owned by franchisee Jen Crichfield, who already runs a Chicken Salad Chick location in Westerville that opened in 2019. "It's so rewarding to be opening my second Chicken Salad Chick restaurant in my hometown," Crichfield said in the grand opening announcement, per PR Newswire.
Where To Go And When To Show Up
The Dublin Chamber listed a 9:30 a.m. ribbon cutting and gave the address as 4345 W Dublin Granville Rd., placing the restaurant in the Shoppes at River Ridge next to Bridge Park, according to the Dublin Chamber. The Shoppes at River Ridge site describes the plaza as next door to Bridge Park and just minutes from downtown, positioning the spot to catch both weekday lunch runs and weekend walkers, per The Shoppes at River Ridge.
Chain Growth And What Comes Next
The Dublin debut is part of a bigger growth sprint for the brand. Industry coverage notes that Chicken Salad Chick has reached roughly 330 restaurants and recently brought in senior development leadership to speed up expansion, according to Nation's Restaurant News. That push has already produced several new Ohio locations as franchisees build out the chain's footprint around Columbus.
Community Giveback
Leading up to opening day, the Dublin location said it would raise money for the Dublin Education Foundation, and the company's CSC Foundation supports local causes as part of its broader mission, according to QSR Magazine. The company lists hours for the Dublin restaurant as Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with additional giveaways scheduled through May 2.
