Chicken Salad Chick Expands Florida Footprint With New Lake City Restaurant

April 08, 2026 // Franchising.com // ATLANTA, GA – Chicken Salad Chick announced today the opening of a brand-new restaurant in Lake City. The new location features a convenient drive-thru, and the local community is invited to celebrate its grand opening on Tuesday, April 21, when the first 100 guests in line will win free chicken salad for a year*.

During the grand opening week, guests can expect to experience the Southern hospitality Chicken Salad Chick is known for while taking advantage of various specials and giveaways. These include:

• Tuesday, April 21 – First 100 guests in line receive free chicken salad for a year; the first guest in line at 10:30am will receive one FREE large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for an entire year. The next 99 guests in line will receive one FREE large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for a year.*
• Wednesday, April 22 – The first 50 guests to purchase two large Quick Chicks will receive a FREE Chick Cutting Board!**
• Thursday, April 23 – The first 50 guests to purchase an entree with two sides will receive a FREE 40oz Tumbler!***
• Friday, April 24 – The first 50 guests to purchase two large Quick Chicks will receive a FREE Large Grey Chick Cooler!**
• Saturday, April 25 – The first 50 guests to purchase an entree will win a FREE Scoop Bounceback Card!****

Chicken Salad Chick of Lake City is owned and operated by multi-unit franchise owners, Darin and Lyndsey Melvin. The husband-and-wife duo have acquired 7 Chicken Salad Chick locations across Florida, including the Tallahassee locations. Lake City will be the first restaurant they’ll be opening from the ground up.

“Darin and I are excited to officially open our first, brand-new Chicken Salad Chick restaurant,” said Lyndsey Melvin, owner of Chicken Salad Chick of Lake City. “Since acquiring our restaurants, we’ve worked hard to serve top-notch food with a side of genuine Southern hospitality. We’re passionate about making every visit memorable, and our team is dedicated to ensuring each new restaurant reflects our high standards for exceptional service. We believe our made-from-scratch chicken salad and welcoming atmosphere will resonate with both residents and visitors, and we’re excited to contribute to the area’s growing culinary scene and local economy.”

Chicken Salad Chick serves a Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch, with more than a dozen original flavors, fresh sides, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and desserts. The new Lake City restaurant offers in-restaurant and outdoor patio dining, drive-thru, take-out, third-party delivery, and catering options.

“We’re thrilled to continue expanding Chicken Salad Chick’s footprint in Florida and bring our dining experience to Lake City,” said Scott Deviney, CEO and president of Chicken Salad Chick. “Lake City offers easy access to beautiful parks, lakes, and freshwater springs, including those in Ichetucknee Springs State Park. Whether guests are picking up chicken salad for a picnic or cooling off with a lemonade on a hot day, we have something for everyone. We’re grateful for the way thousands of guests have embraced our brand, and we’re committed to ‘Spreading Joy, Enriching Lives and Serving Others’ every day.”

Supporting local charities and organizations is a key priority for the Melvins. Over the years, they’ve partnered with local food banks, schools, and youth organizations, participated in community festivals and parades, and hosted numerous fundraising events and donation drives. Their commitment aligns closely with the Chicken Salad Chick brand, which established the CSC Foundation to support CURE Childhood Cancer and local food banks through year‑round fundraising. As part of the pre‑opening Friends & Family events in Lake City, the restaurant will raise money for Catholic Charities’ Florida Gateway Food Bank, which provides essential food assistance to residents across Columbia, Hamilton, Suwannee, and Union counties.

Chicken Salad Chick of Lake City will be open Monday – Saturday from 10:30am – 8pm. 

SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick

###