Part-Owner Leverages His Real Estate and Restaurant Experience to Foster Growth
The steadily growing Layne’s Chicken Fingers franchise has welcomed Eric Reed as chief development officer. The part-owner of the chicken franchise will leverage his previous real estate and restaurant experience to foster the brand’s expansion.
”My ultimate long-term goal is to get Layne’s to the point that all we have to do is put an Astro Chicken on the sign in front of the restaurant and people know who we are. If we can get to that level of brand awareness, we’ve made it. That’s all we need to reach all of our future goals,” Reed said in a statement.
As a principal with Main & Main Capital Group, a development group that works closely with the chicken franchise, he believes that his skills mesh well to Layne’s, which is his first venture into the franchising world. Being from College Station, Texas, and attending Texas A&M University in the city contributed to his fandom of the chicken franchise. He also likes running the business with his brother, Layne’s CEO Garrett Reed.
Reed says his affinity for the restaurant industry resulted from eating out with friends and family and the desire to surround himself with people whose passions are similar to his. “My role allows me to grow Layne’s and provide more opportunities to more people. Layne’s will stand out with our amazing food, service and culture.”
Chief Operating Officer Samir Wattar praised Reed as a go-getter in a statement that announced his hiring. “He’s started laying the foundation for growth, [and] we’re already seeing a difference in our real estate and development processes. We’re seeing excitement among the franchisees, and with Eric on the team, our goal of 12 new restaurants opening next year is not far-fetched whatsoever. He brings more expertise to the real estate aspect of development than we’ve ever had by ourselves – there’s a science and expertise to it now.”
Prior to joining Layne’s, Reed worked with the Dutch Bros coffee chain, Chili’s and Starbucks, driving development pushes through market analysis and real estate strategy. He advises people with the franchising bug to find what they’re good at, become great at it and don’t give up no matter what.
About Layne’s Chicken Fingers
Founded in 1994 in College Station, Layne’s has expanded to 13 locations and another 113 more are sold, according to a press release. The brand is known for its small-town charm and friendly service.
