Georgia Magazine - April 2022 - 17

Above: The Dawsonville Chicken Salad Chick opened
Feb. 9. Honoring its mission to serve others, the restaurant
partnered with the Georgia Mountain Food Bank (GMFB)
during grand-opening festivities. Left: GMFB Operations
Director Rebecca Thurman accepts a donation that will help
feed more than 50,000 people with food insecurity
in the food bank's five-county area.
signature product. It was Kevin Brown's idea to name all
the recipes after real " chicks. " For instance, Nutty Nana
is named after Stacy Brown's mother, while the Fancy
Nancy is named after her fanciest aunt.
The Browns, who married in 2008, learned together
how to roll with the changes.
" We learned so much about people and being a leader by embracing
When they opened the doors in 2008 at 10 a.m.,
Brown was a bit worried because no one came in. By
lunchtime, though, the lobby was filled with people,
and a line formed down the street. Current customers
started bringing in friends, family members and
co-workers, who, in turn, did the same.
It wasn't long before Chicken Salad Chick
expanded that first location to accommodate dine-in
customers, then opened a second location in 2010
and a third in 2011.
After starting its franchise operation in 2012, the
restaurant chain now has 213 locations in 17 states,
including many in metro Atlanta, and has relocated
its corporate headquarters to Vinings.
Chicken Salad Chick's menu features a dozen
varieties of chicken salad along with pimento cheese;
freshly made Southern side dishes, such as broccoli
salad, grape salad and pasta salad; signature soups;
and little buttercream-frosted cookies for dessert.
The Classic Carol, Fancy Nancy (with Fuji
apples, seedless grapes and pecans) and Sassy Scotty
(with a blend of ranch, bacon and shredded cheddar
cheese) reign as the favorite varieties of her
who you are and what your own strengths are, " Stacy Brown says. " Kevin
and I had very different strengths, so that was a gift because we both
covered such different areas of the business. "
She is quick to point out that Chicken Salad Chick wouldn't be where it
is today without the many team members involved-both those seen in the
restaurants and those working behind the scenes.
" I'm so grateful for all the team has accomplished, " she says. " Watching
them excel using their natural talents, it's been amazing to witness so many
develop and even become franchise owners. The logo is just one woman,
but that's far from the truth. It represents a giant team and franchise owner
effort. "
Brown has been amazed at the success she's found just by cooking a
dish she is passionate about.
" If you go after something that utilizes your passion, success is likely, "
she says. " If you're focused on money, it can feel like work in which the joy
is hard to find. I'm passionate about serving, about people. Chicken salad is
the conduit. I am so very grateful for this journey. "
Life has brought other changes for Brown. Her husband, Kevin, died in
2015. She has since remarried and continues to expand her business.
" My vision is to satisfy the communities that would like us to come to
serve them, " she says. " We want to spread joy, enrich lives and serve others
across the country. "
Karon Warren is a freelance writer from Ellijay.
For more information about Chicken Salad Chick, visit chickensaladchick.com.
www.georgiamagazine.org 17
KAZ ARTIS PHOTOGRAPHY
KAZ ARTIS PHOTOGRAPHY
http://www.chickensaladchick.com http://www.georgiamagazine.org
Georgia Magazine - April 2022

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