Layne’s Chicken Fingers will open Feb. 25 at 4040 S. Broadway Ave in Tyler. It is part of a larger movement by the franchise owner, Tyler native Taylor Thomas, who is signed on to open 25 Layne’s Chicken Fingers restaurants across East Texas. (Contributed Photo)

A new chicken finger joint on South Broadway Avenue in Tyler is now open.

Tyler native Taylor Thomas, who has a wealth of experience in the franchise industry, opened the first Layne’s Chicken Fingers in the city on Tuesday.

Layne’s is located at 4040 S. Broadway Ave. in Tyler. This address is in the area where Wagner Cadillac was previously located before moving to Old Jacksonville Highway.

News of the Layne’s location was announced in June. Work began in September on this privately-funded project on private land, which was expected to cost about $500,000.

Layne’s Chicken Fingers was founded in 1994 in College Station and earned a reputation as a “Texas A&M legend known for its small-town charm, friendly service, iconic chicken fingers and secret sauce,” according to a press release from 1851 Franchise.

Thomas is committed to a long-term vision of expansion, as he’s signed on to open 25 stores in East Texas over the next decade.

“It’s not just about growing a business, but also enriching the communities we enter,” Thomas said in a statement. “Introducing this concept to my hometown is a fantastic feeling. I can’t tell you how many phone calls I’ve already received from people who heard about this plan and are so excited we are bringing Layne’s to this area.”

The popular hand-breaded chicken tender meals are served with crinkle-cut fries, signature Layne’s Sauce and a slice of Texas Toast. All of the marinated chicken can be ordered in the original recipe or spicy. Along with classic chicken tender meals, Layne’s offers chicken sandwiches, a grilled cheese and grilled chicken wraps.

The restaurant also offers hand-spun milkshakes in a variety of flavors, including salted caramel, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and Oreo.

Thomas’ introduction to the entrepreneurial world started with a Whataburger franchise that his father purchased back in 1989.

“After I earned my master’s degree in 2016, I joined the family business with a vision to expand,” Thomas said. “Once we maxed out our territory, it was time to find a new brand that aligned with our aspirations for growth and community connection.”

As someone intimately familiar with the restaurant industry, Thomas knew there was no shortage of options.

“When we first started looking, we were only looking at major brands,” Thomas said. “But we realized that the bigger the brand, the more likely that family-owned atmosphere goes away. There was a disconnect there. We want to feel like we can bounce off ideas and help the whole brand grow. The restaurant business isn’t easy — it never has been. So it’s important to have that collaboration between the franchisee and franchisor.”

The introduction to Layne’s Chicken Fingers came to Thomas serendipitously.

“We were out eating one night and one of our buddies brought up Layne’s,” he said. “We didn’t even know the brand. We went to check it out, started talking with the team, visited some locations in Dallas and fell in love with the product. It was really everything we were after.”

Thomas was particularly drawn to Layne’s Chicken Fingers for its strong emphasis on maintaining a family-oriented culture, even as the brand grows. He was also impressed by the simplicity and quality of Layne’s operations and its well-defined culture, which he said isn’t always easy to find.

“A lot of brands, especially when they start growing very fast, will start complicating things and making the business model more complex,” Thomas said. “Layne’s didn’t do that.”

And when it comes to that culture, Thomas says meeting with the leadership team gave him all the insight he needed.

“[Layne’s CEO] Garrett [Reed] brought his son along, which I thought was great — we hadn’t experienced a family-owned business in a long time,” he said. “That was a big positive for us.”

Overall, Thomas’s decision to partner with Layne’s was driven by three main criteria: simplicity, quality and a focus on family.

“Layne’s hits all these marks, and their strong Texas roots only made the decision easier,” he said. “We are Texas people at heart.”

Layne’s Chicken Fingers is making significant strides expanding across the country, including in Tennessee, Wisconsin and Georgia, and is excited to expand further in its home state of Texas.

“We are thrilled to welcome Taylor to the Layne’s family as he embarks on this exciting venture in East Texas,” said Samir Wattar, chief operating officer of Layne’s Chicken Fingers. “His extensive experience in the franchise industry and dedication to excellence are exactly what we look for in our partners. Together, we are looking forward to making Layne’s a beloved household name in East Texas and beyond.”