2023 capped off a landmark year of restaurant openings, new menu offerings, and executive and brand recognitions for Chick N Max. Looking ahead to 2024, the next generation fast casual restaurant and “Home of the Better Chicken Sandwich” has set its sights on further franchise expansion.
According to founder and CEO Max Sheets, Chick N Max’s success can be attributed not only to the growing consumer appetite for the brand’s innovative take on chicken, but most importantly to the strong foundation that his team has built over the last year.
“Over the last few years, American consumers have fallen in love with chicken all over again. Chicken sandwiches, chicken fingers and chicken nuggets have become more popular than ever, and the franchise scene has seen remarkable growth in this segment,” says Sheets. “We’ve been particularly thrilled with the growing interest in our franchise opportunity and plan to keep the momentum going through exceptional franchisee support and delicious, innovative menu items.”
Restaurant Openings
Chick N Max opened its very first three franchise locations in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Willis, Texas; and Wichita, Kansas last year. The new restaurants all serve Chick N Max’s 10 unique flavors of chef-crafted sandwiches, made with almond wood smoked pulled chicken or crispy golden fried tenders. The brand’s signature almond wood smoked chicken in the form of wings, leg quarters, breast quarters, and half chickens are also available.
New Menu Offerings
In 2023, Chick N Max bolstered its menu offerings with the addition of two new sandwiches, including the Buffalo Buttermilk and Jamaican Jerk.
“We pride ourselves on being a destination for customers seeking bold ingredients and flavor innovation,” says Sheets. “These new sandwiches not only surpass the high standards for flavor that our guests have come to expect from Chick N Max, but the comforting combination of ingredients create great sandwiches that are perfect for any season.”
Honors and Recognitions
Last year was also marked by a couple of incredible achievements for Chick N Max on both the executive and brand sides.
Sheets was named a 2023 Executive of the Year by the Wichita Business Journal, one of the highest honors given out by the publication’s newsroom. He was specifically recognized for leading Chick N Max to great heights through finance, development, and overall direction.
At the end of the year, The Daily Meal, a food and beverage website well known for its annual “Best Of” lists, highlighted Chick N Max as one of the top 12 chicken restaurant franchises in the country, noting “It’s only a matter of time until you get to try these up and coming fast casual chicken chains in your nearest city.”
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead to 2024, Chick N Max is gearing up to further expand with existing and new franchisees and looking to nearly double its national footprint. Thanks to an active franchise pipeline that stands at more than 50 restaurants, the company expects to open as many as 3-5 new restaurants this year and at least that many each year thereafter.
