Chicken Salad Chick — the fast-casual chain founded in Auburn, Alabama — has a new majority owner.
Los Angeles-based Brentwood Associates, whose portfolio includes Orange Theory, Blaze Pizza and MD Now Urgent Care, announced it acquired a majority interest in the restaurant company from Eagle Merchant Partners on November 4. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Founded in 2008 by Stacy and Kevin Brown with a single location in Auburn, Chicken Salad Chick has grown to 137 restaurants across 16 states, concentrated across the Southeast — including Gulf Coast locations that have made the brand a familiar name for Mobile- and Baldwin-area diners.
A Fit for the Portfolio
Rahul Aggarwal, partner at Brentwood, said the chain’s approach aligns with the firm’s investment strategy. “Chicken Salad Chick’s model fits well within our strategy of investing in high-growth, best-in-class consumer businesses,” Aggarwal said. “We look forward to working with Scott and the Chicken Salad Chick team to build upon their success in the markets they serve.”
The acquisition signals continued expansion ambitions for the homegrown Alabama concept as private equity firms continue snapping up growing regional restaurant brands.