If you live in the Falls Church area and enjoy chicken salad, you’re in luck. Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s only fast-casual chicken salad restaurant, is set to open its first D.C area location in Idylwood in two weeks.
Chicken Salad Chick will celebrate its grand opening at Idylwood Plaza (7505 Leesburg Pike) on Wednesday, Aug. 7, offering one free large chicken salad every month for a year to the first 100 guests, among other prizes, according to a press release.
The very first guest will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for a year.
The Alabama-based restaurant chain offers more than a dozen southern-style chicken salad flavors, along with fresh side salads, soups, signature sandwiches, and desserts. Founded by Stacy and Kevin Brown in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick has grown rapidly, with over 260 locations spanning 19 states.
While the new location will be the company’s first in the D.C. region, it will be the seventh in the state and part of a broader expansion into Northern Virginia.
Franchise co-owner Devon Chamberlin, her father Patrick Cavanaugh and father-in-law Barry Chamberlin plan to add sites in nearby communities like Arlington, Vienna, McLean, Springfield and Reston over the next five years.
“My first Chicken Salad Chick experience happened while I was living in Tallahassee, Florida,” Chamberlin said in the release. “I was immediately drawn to the customer service, the freshness and quality of the food made in-house every day and the welcoming energy of the restaurant. Their chicken salad was hands-down the best in the area. After I moved back to Northern Virginia, I knew what was missing was a local Chick!”
After working in the mental health field as a social worker at residential treatment centers, inpatient hospitals and Fairfax County Emergency Services for 10 years, Chamberlin says she was looking for a new adventure.
“I’ve always dreamed of being an entrepreneur and putting my people skills to good use,” she said. “It’s so rewarding to build up others and spotlight their strengths.”
In addition to free chicken salads, Chamberlin plans to give away tumblers, tote bags, hip bags, coolers, and stadium cups with drinks at the upcoming grand opening in Idylwood.
- Wednesday, Aug. 7, 5 p.m.: The first 50 guests to buy a Chick Meal will get a 40 oz. tumbler.
- Thursday, Aug. 8: The first 50 guests to buy a Chick Trio at 10:30 a.m. will receive a tote bag, and at 5 p.m., the first 50 guests will get a 20 oz. tumbler.
- Friday, Aug. 9: The first 50 guests to buy a large Quick Chick at 10:30 a.m. get a hip bag, and the first 50 at 5 p.m. will get a free cooler.
- Saturday, Aug. 10: The first 50 guests to buy a Chick Trio at 10:30 a.m. or 5 p.m. will get a free stadium cup with a drink included.
Chicken Salad Chick also plans to host fundraising events for Inova Fairfax Children’s Hospital as part of the pre-opening celebrations.
The Idylwood restaurant will be open Monday to Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Other dining options coming to Idylwood Plaza, which recently bid adieu to Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, include the daytime cafe First Watch, an Indian restaurant called Mumbai Central, and a Mediterranean concept called Halal Bowl.
