When a fast casual brand can draw a line of 100 people willing to camp out for free chicken salad, it’s telling operators something important about the state of the category: concept loyalty and Southern-hospitality-driven experience still move people through the door. On Tuesday, August 4, that scene plays out in Allentown as Chicken Salad Chick opens its very first restaurant in Pennsylvania — a milestone that pushes the brand’s footprint to 25 states.
The new location sits at 942 Airport Center Road in the Airport Center Shopping Center, strategically placed near Lehigh Valley Airport along Route 22 — an economic lifeline heavily traveled by commuters and shoppers alike. For a growing fast casual concept, that kind of high-traffic, dual-purpose corridor is exactly the real estate math that turns a grand opening into repeat business.
Chicken Salad Chick knows how to make an entrance. The Allentown debut leans on a full week of specials and giveaways engineered to convert curiosity into loyalty:
- Tuesday, August 4, 10 a.m. — The first guest in line wins one FREE large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for a full year. The next 99 guests receive one FREE large Quick Chick per month for a year.
- Tuesday, August 4, 5 p.m. — The first 50 guests receive a FREE Commemorative Cup with purchase.
- Wednesday, August 5 — The first 50 guests to buy two large Quick Chicks get a FREE Chick cooler.
- Thursday, August 6 — The first 50 guests to buy a meal with one side or greater get a FREE 40oz Chick tumbler.
- Friday, August 7 — The first 50 guests to buy a meal with two sides or greater get a FREE Chick Tote Bag.
- Saturday, August 8 — The first 50 guests to buy a meal with one side get a FREE Scoop Card.
It’s a textbook example of turning a single opening day into a seven-day traffic driver, with each promotion tied to a purchase threshold that nudges average check upward.
First-Time Franchisees With a Personal Connection
Chicken Salad Chick of Allentown is owned and operated by married couple and first-time franchise owners Ernest and Amanda Greenford. Ernest is a retired U.S. Army Military Intelligence Pilot, and Amanda brings extensive hotel management experience. Between them, they hold bachelor’s degrees in computer science and food science…