Vicious Biscuit, the original home of unapologetically bold biscuits, has signed veteran restaurant operators Ricky, Niki and Coby Cook as franchise partners in Upstate South Carolina. Along with partner Blake Pitts, the group will open its first Vicious Biscuit restaurant at Thornwell Village in Seneca, SC, with a Spring 2027 anticipated opening timeframe.
The Seneca restaurant represents the first location under a two-unit franchise development agreement for the Upstate region. The project marks another milestone in Vicious Biscuit’s continued expansion throughout its home state, where the brand was founded in Charleston and continues to strengthen its presence in both established and emerging markets.
Longtime restaurant operators, the Cook family brings more than 30 years of industry experience to Vicious Biscuit. Over the years, they have owned and operated 18 Subway locations. Their extensive experience building teams, developing leaders and operating a multi-unit business made Vicious Biscuit a natural addition to their restaurant portfolio.
“We’ve spent decades evaluating restaurant concepts, and Vicious Biscuit stood apart from the beginning,” said Ricky Cook. “The food quality, the guest experience and culture immediately resonated with us. We saw a concept with tremendous growth potential, a strong operational foundation and a leadership team committed to supporting franchisees. We’re excited to bring that experience to the Upstate.”
Located between Seneca and Westminster, Thornwell Village is emerging as a major retail destination for Oconee County and the broader Upstate region. The development’s proximity to Clemson University and growing residential communities aligns with Vicious Biscuit’s strategy of targeting high-traffic areas with strong daytime population drivers and long-term growth potential.
As consumer demand for elevated breakfast and brunch experiences continues to grow, Vicious Biscuit has carved out a distinct niche within the fast-casual segment by combining chef-inspired menu offerings with an operational model designed for speed, guest throughput and hospitality-focused service.
“Ricky, Niki and Coby have built successful businesses by investing in people, developing leaders and creating exceptional guest experiences,” said George McLaughlin, co-founder and CEO of Vicious Biscuit. “We’ve been intentional about building this brand with experienced operators who understand hospitality, culture and long-term business growth. Their operational expertise and commitment to community make them exactly the kind of franchise partners we’re looking for as we continue expanding throughout South Carolina and beyond.”
The Seneca announcement continues a period of accelerated franchise growth for Vicious Biscuit as the brand expands its footprint across the Southeast and Midwest. The emerging brunch brand currently operates seven corporate locations and four franchise restaurants with more than 40 additional franchise locations in development nationwide.
Vicious Biscuit is seeking multi-unit operators to join its growing franchise system. For more information, visit www.viciousbiscuit.com/vicious-biscuit-franchise.
Visit www.viciousbiscuit.com for additional brand updates. Follow on Instagram @viciousbiscuits, Facebook at ViciousBiscuit1, and TikTok @viciousbiscuitchs to stay in the loop as we continue making big moves and bold biscuit creations.
