A popular national restaurant chain has opened its first Sarasota County location, with a little help from an ESPN legend.
The county’s first Chicken Salad Chick welcomed friends and family Monday, Sept. 28, for a trial run before its Tuesday, Sept. 29, opening. The event at 6650 Fruitville Road, Unit 132, also served as a fundraiser for the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
Longtime ESPN sports commentator Dick Vitale signed copies of his new book “20 for 20: The Dick Vitale Gala Through the Years,” and was scheduled to receive a check on behalf of the V Foundation at the grand opening.
Franchise owner Karen Jordan, who also owns two restaurants in Manatee County, was pleased with the lunch service.
“This feels great,” Jordan told the Herald-Tribune
as she took a break from circulating among the tables. “This is only the beginning.”
Chicken Salad Chick, an Atlanta-based fast-casual chain and franchise featuring a variety of chicken salad offerings, as well as soups, salads and specialty sandwiches, started in 2008 in Auburn, Alabama.
It has grown to more than 345 restaurants across 27 states.
What’s unique about Chicken Salad Chick?
Chicken Salad Chick is known for more than a dozen Southern-style, made-from-scratch chicken salad flavors, fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches, and desserts.
The chicken salad is made from all-white chicken tenders and, depending on the additional ingredients, can be savory, fruity or spicy.
The menu choice of Tracy Henderson, who attended the Friends and Family event as a guest of Terri Antonelli, illustrated the variety.
Henderson had a two-scoop meal with Fancy Nancy, which is a mix of Fuji apples, seedless grapes and pecans and Jalapeno Holly, which features jalapeno peppers.
“The Fancy Nancy has a sweet taste and the Jalapeno Holly is spicy but not overwhelming,” she added.
Antonelli opted for Fancy Nancy and Sassy Scotty, which includes ranch dressing, bacon and shredded cheddar cheese.
“It’s delicious,” Antonelli said then added, “this grape salad that they have is phenomenal.”
Who is Karen Jordan?
Jordan acquired her first Chicken Salad Chick restaurant in Bradenton in 2022, buying out the original franchisees, Cody and Elizabeth Toole, and later relocating it from Cortez Road to 5434 Lockwood Ridge Road.
In December 2025, she opened her second franchise in Parrish.
“Karen is an amazing franchise owner and her passion for serving others has been vital for our growth in Southwest Florida,” Scott Deviney, CEO and President of Chicken Salad Chick, said in a prepared statement
Prior to striking out on her own, she spent four decades in food service, including years as a franchise business consultant for such restaurants as Golden Corral and Panera Bread.
Jordan credited her life partner, Mike Cherol, for nudging her to become her own boss.
What else is unique about Chicken Salad Chick?
In addition to the chicken salad concept, the restaurant group values community impact.
The Chicken Salad Chick brand established the CSC Foundation to support CURE Childhood Cancer and supports local food banks with fundraisers throughout the year.
When Jordan’s Parrish restaurant opened, it also raised money for Feeding Empty Little Tummies (F.E.L.T.), the Manatee County-based backpack program that feeds homeless and food-insecure students on the weekends.
The partnership with the V Foundation was a natural extension for the restaurant.
“We’re thrilled to open our first restaurant in Sarasota County and to have Dick Vitale join us for such a special occasion,” Deviney said. “Community involvement and charitable giving are core to Chicken Salad Chick, and we’re honored to support the V Foundation and its mission to advance life-saving cancer research.”
In addition to appearing at the Friends and Family event, Vitale and his wife Lorraine Vitale were scheduled to attend the grand opening, sell autographed copies of “20 for 20: The Dick Vitale Gala Through the Years,” and talk about the next gala, which is scheduled for May 7, 2027.
How long will Chicken Salad Chick’s grand opening last?
The Sept. 29 promotion offered the first customer in line one free large Quick Chick of chicken salad a week for a year and the next 99 customers one large Quick Chick a month for a year, but that’s not the end of the giveaways.
On Sept. 30, the first 50 customers to purchase a meal with two sides or equivalent will receive a free 16-ounce Tervis Tumbler.
On Oct. 1, the first 50 customers to purchase a meal with two sides or equivalent will receive a free red grocery tote.
On Oct. 2, the first 50 guests to purchase a meal with two sides or equivalent will receive a free large Chick Cooler.
On Oct. 3, the first 50 customers to purchase a meal with two sides or equivalent will receive a free large Quick Chick on their next visit.
Where is Fruitville Farms?
Fruitville Farms is a fast-growing slice of Sarasota County that is anchored by the new Sarasota County Administration Center.
Three other restaurants are slated for the commercial center that is home to Chicken Salad Chick — Potbelly Sandwich Works, Playa Bowls and Patsy’s Pizzeria.
If you go
Chicken Salad Chick of Sarasota – Fruitville Farms will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
For more information, visit https://www.chickensaladchick.com and follow Chicken Salad Chick onFacebook andInstagram.
Earle Kimel primarily covers local governments in Sarasota County as well as land development and environmental issues for the Herald-Tribune. Follow him on Facebook and X. He can be reached by email at earle.kimel@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Popular national restaurant chain opens first Sarasota County location
