Saturday, January 21, 2017

Chicken Salad Chick to Nest in Former Buckhead BBQ Joint

On the heels of yesterday's closure of 521 Kitchen & Que on Roswell Road in north Buckhead, I have now confirmed that Chicken Salad Chick will open in its place. 

Opened in late 2014, 521 replaced Tin Drum Asiacafe (now Tin Drum Asian Kitchen), which had replaced Doc Greens Gourmet Salads.  Early last month, I revealed that the owners of 521, Drew and Roma Kirkland, had put the business up for sale (The restaurant's name related to the Kirkland's anniversary).  Yesterday, the restaurant distributed an update to members of its email list where they announced the business had sold:

Dear 521 Customers,  

It is with bittersweet emotions, that we announce we have sold the business in North Buckhead and today's lunch was our last day of service.  We had an opportunity at the right time that just could not be passed up!  

It has been a pleasure to serve our loyal customers and to share the passion we have for quality foods. We look forward to being a part of all of your dining experiences again soon.  Stay tuned for Chef Drew Kirkland's next ventures.  

Sincerely, 521 Kitchen & Que

An existing franchise group of Auburn, AL based Chicken Salad Chick plans to open in the former 521 space later this Spring, marking the chain's first ITP location.  Chicken Salad Chick was started in 2008 by Stacy and her late husband Kevin Brown and currently has over 60 locations open with over 100 more "in development." 

In Georgia, the chain operates about a dozen locations in such communities as Marietta, Alpharetta, Roswell, Kennesaw, Peachtree City and Athens, among others. 

Chicken Salad Chick's menu features 15 original chicken salad flavors, as well as gourmet soups, flavorful side salads and freshly-baked desserts.

As a company, Chicken Salad Chick restaurants primarily serve lunch and dinner and are closed on Sunday.  

In 2015, Atlanta-based private equity firm Eagle Merchant Partners made an equity investment in Chicken Salad Chick. As a result of the deal, restaurant industry veteran Russ Umphenour became chairman of the board and Scott Deviney president and CEO of Chicken Salad Chick.   Umphenour and Deviney each have deep ties to Atlanta.   Umphenour was  CEO of Focus Brands (2008-2014) and before that, founder and CEO of RTM Restaurant Group, an Arby's franchisee with nearly 800 locations.  According to Umphenour's LinkedIn profile, he is also currently CEO of Atlanta-based Stevi B's Pizza Buffet and Managing Partner of 15C, LLC, a franchisee of Shane's Rib Shack restaurants in Georgia.  Deviney is the former CEO of SDZ, an Atlanta-based multi-unit Wendy's franchisee, and senior vice president with SunTrust Bank specializing in the restaurant industry.

Next Thursday, January 26th, Chicken Salad Chick will celebrate "Customer Appreciation Day" by offering one complimentary scoop of "Classic Carol" to all customers who visit their restaurants.  

Are you excited for Chicken Salad Chick to be opening in Buckhead?  Have you been to Chicken Salad Chick before? If so, where?  What metro community should Chicken Salad Chick open in next?

Please share your thoughts below.  

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

This made my day, thank you for posting this!!

Anonymous said...

Chicken Salad Chick is fantastic. I don't see them often but if I do I stop and eat. It would be a perfect fit for North Decatur and the Toco Hills/Oak Grove area.

Anonymous said...

I've heard really positive words about Chicken Salad Chick. Exciting news!

AJ said...

Love CSC. Glad to see another option. Still waiting on them to come to Smyrna/Vinings area. I think they'd do very well!

Theron Sapp said...

Good luck to the 521 folks. Nice people who made good food and tried to bring the neighborhood something a little different.

Anonymous said...

Be wary, if the Chicken Salad sits out too long, your stomach may rebel.

Anonymous said...

Excited about Chicken Salad Chick. I've been to the Alphareta location a couple times. Glad to see Buckhead is getting one.

JWSHALOHA said...

I am SO EXCITED that CSC is coming to North Buckhead. I travel out to their East Cobb & North Point locations on a regular basis to indulge in the wonderful and interesting take on Chicken Salad. They also have sandwiches, soups and delicious sides. Woohoo!

Anonymous said...

Glad to see CSC. Opening Buckhead. Chicken Salad & other options. Try it when you can. I've enjoyed Auburn, Marietta & Peachtree City - dine in & take out!

Anonymous said...

Hurry!!! When will you open in Buckhead? Also, we need one in Cumming off of exit 13 somewhere soon too!!!!

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