[UPDATE] Growing Chicken Chain Makes Georgia Debut in Roswell

After several unexplained delays, Layne's Chicken Fingers is reportedly opening their debut Atlanta area location in Roswell. The new eatery, announced this past July, was at the time expected to open in late October or early November before later being pushed to December. 

The restaurant was later removed from the Layne's website and work seemed to stall.  It's unclear what slowed progress or if any behind the scenes changes took place but the Roswell restaurant was returned to the website earlier this year and seems to have opened today is opening to the public this Saturday, April 26, according to ToNeTo Atlanta readers in the area.  (The restaurant does not yet have a phone number listed and has been unresponsive to confirming their opening on their a facebook page.) 

Located at 2000 Holcomb Bridge Road in a drive-thru enabled endcap of a newly built strip center (Shops at Alstead), Layne's (established 1994) features a menu similar to Guthrie's (established 1965) and Raising Cane's (established 1996) with a focus on fried chicken tenders, sandwiches, crinkle fries, Texas toast, sweet tea, and lemonade.  As opposed to their larger, more established competitors, Layne's also features the option for "spicy" chicken in addition to a variety of milkshakes.  That said, shakes and spicy chicken are unlikely to be differentiated enough to make Layne's stand out.   

When we reported on Layne's Atlanta arrival this past July, the College Station, Texas-based chain was comprised on 17 units with the Atlanta development deal expected to add 18 units in the years to come.  

Layne's currently has 26 locations open (including Roswell) with a total of seven more marked  "coming soon" on the company's website.  The chain is still primarily found in Texas with 17 of the company's operating units in its home state.  

The Atlanta restaurants are being opened by franchisees Alvin Shah, Shahid Panjwani, and Seth Bickle.  Each partner brings restaurant experience to the group, including prior work owning, managing, or selling restaurant franchises.  Panjwani, who was previously a multi-unit Moe's Southwest Grill franchisee, previously owned the Moe's at 2354 Holcomb Bridge Road in an outparcel of the nearby Kroger-anchored Centennial Village.  At one point, Panjwani planned to relocate the Moe's to the space that Layne's now occupies.  Panjwani quietly closed his Moe's this past January. 

Despite having only been open a few minutes as of this publication, the restaurant has already amassed 13 five star reviews on Google with many reviews simply using the platform to inquire as to when the business will open.  One review, however, that was incredibly complimentary of the business, even gushing with enthusiasm, was written by someone who shares Shahid's last name and reads like it was created by ChatGPT.  

If the food is really "excellent" and the service is really "impeccable," shill reviews should not be needed. 

Have you ever heard of or been to Layne's?  Do you think Layne's will find success in metro Atlanta?  What is your favorite restaurant for chicken tenders?

Please share your thoughts below.