Chicken Salad Chick Continues Florida Expansion, Opening First Restaurant in Sarasota County

September 18, 2026 — Sarasota, FL — Chicken Salad Chick announced today the opening of its newest restaurant in Florida, located at 6650 Fruitville Road in the Fruitville Farms shopping center in Sarasota, just east of I-75. The local community is invited to celebrate this grand opening on Tuesday, September 29, when the first 100 guests in line will win free chicken salad for a year*. The celebration will also feature special appearances by legendary sports broadcaster Dick Vitale, who will attend the restaurant’s Friends & Family event and ribbon cutting ceremony on behalf of the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

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, September 29 – Free Chicken Salad for a Year to the First 100 Guests – 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, September 30 – The first 50 guests to purchase a meal with two sides or equivalent will receive a free 16oz Tervis Tumbler!**
    • Thursday, October 1 – The first 50 guests to purchase a meal with two sides or equivalent will receive a FREE Red Grocery Tote!**
    • Friday, October 2 – The first 50 guests to purchase a meal with two sides or equivalent will receive a FREE large Chick Cooler!**
    • Saturday, October 3 – The first 50 guests to purchase a meal with two sides or equivalent will receive a FREE large Quick Chick on their next visit!**

Chicken Salad Chick of Sarasota – Fruitville Farms is owned and operated by a local franchise owner. The owner also operates locations in Bradenton and Parrish; the Parrish location opened in December 2025. The owner participates in community organizations such as Successful Women Aligning Together, Discover Bradenton, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and serves on the boards of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Parrish Area Business Alliance.

“Opening my third Chicken Salad Chick restaurant is a really exciting milestone for me,” said Karen Jordan, franchise owner, Chicken Salad Chick of Sarasota – Fruitville Farms. “This past year has been incredibly meaningful for my team and I — from providing free meals to children during the SNAP benefits lapse, to being named a finalist for Small Business of the Year in Manatee County by the Chamber of Commerce, I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited for what’s ahead. My team and I are driven every day by The Chick’s mission of to ‘Spread Joy, Enrich Lives, and Serve Others,’ and I can’t wait to bring that same experience to our new guests in Sarasota County.”

The Sarasota opening will also feature renowned broadcaster Dick Vitale, a longtime advocate for pediatric cancer research and supporter of the V Foundation for Cancer Research. As part of the pre-opening Friends & Family events, funds will be raised for the nonprofit, which was founded by ESPN and Jim Valvano to support groundbreaking cancer research. Guests will have the opportunity to meet Vitale, purchase signed copies of his book, and learn more about the annual Dick Vitale Gala, scheduled for May 7, 2027 to help raise money for pediatric cancer research.

Chicken Salad Chick offers a range of made-from-scratch chicken salad flavors, side salads, soups, signature sandwiches, and desserts. The Sarasota – Fruitville Farms location provides in-restaurant dining, outdoor seating, take-out, third-party delivery, and catering options.

“Karen is an amazing franchise owner and her passion for serving others has been vital for our growth in Southwest Florida,” said Scott Deviney, CEO and President of Chicken Salad Chick. “We’re thrilled to open our first restaurant in Sarasota County and to have Dick Vitale join us for such a special occasion. Community involvement and charitable giving are core to Chicken Salad Chick, and we’re honored to support the V Foundation and its mission to advance life-saving cancer research.”

The brand has received recognition from outlets including Entrepreneur, Franchise Times, Fast Casual, QSR, Southern Living, USA Today, and Technomic.

SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick

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