A line of at least 100 people wrapped around the new building fronting Pine Island Road in Cape Coral, where Chicken Salad Chick has arrived at a new shopping center called Shoppes at Del Sol.
The fast-casual concept opened April 29 with a promotional giveaway: free meals for a year for the first 100 customers.
Jodee Schoonover of Cape Coral arrived at 7:30 p.m. the previous day and stayed overnight sitting in a foldout chair. As the first customer, she will receive a free meal per week for an entire year. The rest of the top 100 will receive a free meal per month for a year.
“My husband told me and talked me into it,” said Schoonover, whose husband owns Shutters239, which installs hurricane shutters. “He loves Chicken Salad Chick. I’m going to have some of the meals and give them to friends and family, but I’m also going to feed homeless people with some of them.”
Chicken Salad Chick made its Southwest Florida debut in September 2022 off Dani Drive in Fort Myers, where franchise owner and operator Kendal Potesta said she hoped to open at least five more locations.
Community members, staff and officials participate in a ribbon cutting at Chicken Salad Chick’s new location at 1206 Solaris Drive in Cape Coral.
David Dorsey
The Cape Coral location marks Potesta’s fourth, following Fort Myers, Estero and Port Charlotte. It’s the first to arrive in the new center at 1206 Solaris Drive, west of Santa Barbara Boulevard on the north side of Pine Island Road.
“It’s amazing,” Potesta said of the turnout. “This day, especially with the city of Cape Coral, it’s been a long time coming. I’m thrilled to death with the outpouring from the community we’ve seen.
“Chicken Salad Chick has expanded in, I believe, seven new states since we opened our first three locations. As a brand, we’re stronger than ever. My outlook on this concept is phenomenal. I’m thrilled to be working with Chicken Salad Chick, and we will be looking to open more locations, even after this one.”
Up next will either be in the Naples area or a second Fort Myers store, she said. But she wants to get Cape Coral up and running first and focus on finding the right real estate at the right time for her fifth restaurant.
“Who knows what’s next?” she said. “Whatever the best spot is.”
Chicken Salad Chick serves a variety of house-made chicken salads, sandwiches, soups and desserts as part of its fourth Southwest Florida location.
Chicken Salad Chick
Chicken Salad Chick originated in 2008 in Georgia. It makes all of its chicken salad at each site, fresh daily. All the flavors on the menu are based from Classic Carol, the original base. Other flavors include Barbie-Q, Buffalo Barclay, Cranberry Kelli, Dixie Chick, Fancy Nancy, Fruity Fran, Jalapeno Holly, Kickin’ Kay Lynne, Lauryn’s Lemon Basil, Olivia’s Old South, Sassy Scotty and other seasonal flavors.
Meal prices are in the $8 to $12 range. The chain does catering and sells family meals. There also are soups, salads and desserts on the menu.
“Georgia is where it started, but Florida has really embraced us,” said Barry Lennon, a franchise business consultant for the company. Potesta sets herself apart from other franchise operators, Lennon said.
Customers gather outside Chicken Salad Chick in Cape Coral ahead of its April 29 opening, which featured a free-meals-for-a-year promotion.
David Dorsey
“It’s the passion that Kendal has for the brand — and her enthusiasm,” Lennon said.
Lennon said the concept appears straightforward on the surface, but the execution tells a different story.
“The simplicity of our menu and the complexity with what we do in the back of the house,” he said, referring to quality control and ensuring the freshness of the chicken salad. “It’s simple but complex.”