Sarasota – September 19, 2026 -- Chicken Salad Chick will open its third Southwest Florida restaurant on September 29 at 6650 Fruitville Road in the Fruitville Farms shopping center, marking the brand's first location in Sarasota County.
First 100 guests in line win free chicken salad for a year
The chain's grand-opening giveaway offers the first guest in line at 10:30 a.m. one free large Quick Chick portion weekly for a year, while guests two through 100 receive the same portion monthly for a year. Additional daily promotions through October 3 include free Tervis Tumblers, grocery totes and Chick Coolers for the first 50 guests each day who purchase a two-side meal or equivalent.
Broadcaster Dick Vitale headlines Friends & Family fundraiser for pediatric cancer research
Sports broadcaster Dick Vitale will appear at the pre-opening Friends & Family event and ribbon-cutting on behalf of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, the nonprofit founded by ESPN and Jim Valvano. Proceeds from the event will benefit the foundation, and guests can purchase signed copies of Vitale's book and get details on the Dick Vitale Gala scheduled for May 7, 2027.
Franchisee Karen Jordan expands her Manasota Chick footprint to three units
The Fruitville Farms location is the third restaurant for franchise owner Karen Jordan, operating under Manasota Chick, LLC, which also runs Chicken Salad Chick locations in Bradenton and Parrish -- the latter opened in December 2025. Jordan was named a finalist for Small Business of the Year in Manatee County by the local Chamber of Commerce and cited her team's work providing free meals to children during the SNAP benefits lapse.
Chain continues Southeast expansion past 345 units nationwide
Chicken Salad Chick CEO and President Scott Deviney said the Sarasota opening represents the company's first restaurant in Sarasota County and credited Jordan's community involvement for the brand's growth in the region. The new unit will offer in-restaurant dining, an outdoor patio, take-out, third-party delivery and catering, operating Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.