Food and Beverage
Chicken Salad Chick Heads to Las Vegas with Six-Unit Nevada Deal, Signaling Southwest Expansion
Chicken Salad Chick is officially heading to Nevada.
The fast-casual concept announced a six-unit franchise development agreement that will bring the brand’s first-ever Nevada locations to the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The move marks a new milestone in Chicken Salad Chick’s push beyond the Southeast—and a clear signal that the brand is serious about building momentum in the Southwest.
Who’s bringing Chicken Salad Chick to Las Vegas
The development is being led by Mark and Cayla Rubalcaba, a husband-and-wife team and longtime Las Vegas residents whose professional backgrounds span hospitality, marketing, and education.
Mark Rubalcaba brings leadership experience in hospitality and gaming, including roles with MGM Resorts International and BetMGM. Cayla Rubalcaba completed hospitality training through MGM Resorts’ Management Associate Program and also spent five years as a biological science teacher at Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School.
They’re joined in the venture by Cayla’s father, Anton Nikodemus, a seasoned hospitality executive who will serve as a strategic partner supporting the group’s long-term development efforts.
A personal connection to the brand
The Rubalcabas say their connection to Chicken Salad Chick began at Auburn University, where they first experienced the brand and developed a lasting appreciation for its hospitality and culture of service.
“Our long-term goal is to help Chicken Salad Chick thrive in Las Vegas while contributing to the brand’s continued growth nationwide,” Mark Rubalcaba said, adding that the group is focused on building a business that reflects the brand’s values—bringing people together, fostering community, and becoming a lasting staple in the Las Vegas Valley.
“We fell in love with Chicken Salad Chick during our time at Auburn, and it’s always felt like more than just a restaurant,” Cayla Rubalcaba said. “Having the opportunity to bring a brand that means so much to us to our hometown is incredibly meaningful.”
Why Nevada matters in Chicken Salad Chick’s growth strategy
Chicken Salad Chick framed the Nevada agreement as part of a broader expansion strategy aimed at high-growth Western markets.
The company notes that Nevada was one of five new states opened for development in 2025, alongside Arizona, New Jersey, New York, and Utah. Notably, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah are all in the Southwest—underscoring a focused push into the region.
“The Southwest represents one of the most exciting growth regions for our brand,” said Mark Verges, Vice President of Franchise Development at Chicken Salad Chick, calling the Nevada entry a key milestone in the brand’s westward development strategy.
A fast-growing franchise system
Chicken Salad Chick says it continues to build momentum nationally. In what it described as a record-breaking 2025, the brand reported awarding nearly 100 new restaurant deals and celebrating 42 openings across 13 states, with dozens of additional locations in development.
The company also pointed to multiple industry recognitions, including being named one of QSR Magazine’s Best Franchise Deals for four years and ranking No. 3 in Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers.
What Chicken Salad Chick serves
For anyone unfamiliar with the concept, Chicken Salad Chick serves Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch, with more than a dozen flavor options, plus fresh sides, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches, and desserts.
Learn more
For franchising information, visit chickensaladchick.com/franchising.
Source: PRNewswire
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