Chicken Salad Chick is plotting its entrance into the Philadelphia suburbs, with franchisees planning to open the chain's first Greater Philadelphia restaurant in Montgomery County. Collegeville is set to be the debut location, part of a broader push that will eventually bring six locations to the region.
According to Philadelphia Business Journal, the franchisees leading the chain's market expansion plan to open six suburban outposts. Amanda Furiato is among those spearheading the effort, and according to a statement from Chicken Salad Chick, she is preparing to introduce the chain to the Collegeville community, drawing on her background in human resources and as a franchise business consultant. She is leading the development alongside Drew Christy and Ryan Metz, the company said, and the agreement marks Chicken Salad Chick's first development in the Philadelphia suburbs.
Montgomery County Set as the Starting Point
The six-location plan centers on Chester and Montgomery counties, with the first restaurant expected to land in Montgomery County. Montco.Today reported that franchisees led by Furiato were actively finalizing a lease for their first Montco site, with plans to open before the 2026 holiday season. Additional target areas named in that report include King of Prussia, Plymouth Meeting and Collegeville.
A separate account from WhatNow adds that the franchise group is still searching for its remaining five locations in areas including Collegeville, West Chester, Exton and Plymouth Meeting. The ideal spot, per that report, is a 2,500-square-foot space with a lot of foot traffic. The group said it is initially targeting shopping centers, along with areas that see strong daytime populations near universities or hospitals.
Part of a Broader Northeast Push
Part of a Broader Northeast Push
A bizjournals.com report put the chain at more than 330 restaurants across 22 states. The company said the Allentown opening would bring it to 25 states. Earlier in 2026, the company said it expected to be operating in 28 states by year's end, with New York, West Virginia and Michigan among the additions.
A Nearby Preview in the Lehigh Valley
Pennsylvania got its first taste of the chain over the summer, when Chicken Salad Chick opened its debut restaurant in the state at 942 Airport Center Road in Allentown, inside the Airport Center Shopping Center near Lehigh Valley Airport. That location, owned and operated by first-time franchise owners Ernest and Amanda Greenford, held its grand opening on Aug. 4, according to the company's announcement. Lehigh Valley Live reported that the Greenfords planned three Chicken Salad Chick restaurants across the Lehigh Valley in total, and the company described Amanda as a longtime fan of the brand.
Philadelphia-area franchisees are seeking a 2,500-square-foot space. Whether Collegeville ultimately lands the first Montgomery County restaurant remains to be seen, but with a lease in the works and five more suburban sites still being scouted, the region's chicken salad options are poised to expand well beyond its opening location.
