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Mark and Cayla Rubalcaba are bringing Chicken Salad Chick to Nevada, signing a six-unit franchise agreement to open the brand's first restaurants in the Las Vegas metropolitan area.
The husband-and-wife team, longtime Las Vegas residents, will lead development across Southern Nevada. They are joined by Cayla's father, Anton Nikodemus, a seasoned hospitality executive who will serve as a strategic partner in the venture.
"Our long-term goal is to help Chicken Salad Chick thrive in Las Vegas while contributing to the brand's continued growth nationwide," Mark Rubalcaba said. "We take seriously the responsibility of building a business that reflects its values—one that brings people together, fosters community, and becomes a lasting staple in the Las Vegas Valley."
Mark Rubalcaba brings leadership experience in hospitality and gaming, including roles with MGM Resorts International and BetMGM. Cayla Rubalcaba completed MGM Resorts' Management Associate Program before spending five years as a biological science teacher at Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School. Together, they plan to combine operational discipline with local market knowledge to establish a strong foundation for the brand's Nevada debut.
The couple first connected with Chicken Salad Chick while attending Auburn University, where they were both NCAA Division I athletes in the Southeastern Conference. They said the brand's hospitality and culture of service left a lasting impression.
"We fell in love with Chicken Salad Chick during our time at Auburn, and it's always felt like more than just a restaurant," Cayla Rubalcaba said. "Having the opportunity to bring a brand that means so much to us to our hometown is incredibly meaningful. We're excited to introduce Las Vegas to the same hospitality and sense of community that first drew us in."
Nevada is one of five new states Chicken Salad Chick opened for development in 2025, alongside Arizona, New Jersey, New York and Utah.
"The Southwest represents one of the most exciting growth regions for our brand," said Mark Verges, vice president of franchise development at Chicken Salad Chick. "Expanding into Nevada marks a key milestone in our westward development strategy. Partnering with operators like Mark and Cayla, who deeply understand their community and embody our culture of hospitality, positions us for long-term success in the region."