PALM COAST, Fla. (June 2, 2026) – Excitement filled the air Tuesday morning as hundreds gathered for the grand opening of Chicken Salad Chick on State Road 100 in Palm Coast. Some eager customers arrived well before sunrise — and some dedicated fans even camped out overnight — to be among the first to experience the popular fast-casual restaurant’s arrival in Flagler County.
“This has been a long time coming,” said Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce President John Phillips during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This is a great day for Palm Coast. Another great, well-known, well-respected business model has come to our community right here on State Road 100.”
For franchise owners Darin and Lyndsey Melvin, the Palm Coast location represents their seventh Chicken Salad Chick restaurant and the realization of a project that has been years in the making. Palm Coast was originally among their first targeted markets, but challenges securing real estate delayed the opening while the couple expanded elsewhere.
The restaurant’s arrival brings more than a new dining option. It creates jobs, expands local economic activity and introduces a business model built around community engagement. The Palm Coast location opened on Tuesday with 40 plus employees, providing opportunities for residents seeking careers in hospitality.
“It’s a great place to work,” said Lyndsey Melvin. “You’re not dealing with fryers and grills and grease and all of that. It definitely makes it much easier. No alcohol, no late hours, and we’re closed on Sundays.”
Those qualities have helped make Chicken Salad Chick an attractive employer across its growing footprint. According to Ervin Hernandez, Director of Marketing for Chicken Salad Chick, the company now operates 336 locations nationwide and continues to expand rapidly.
Beyond employment, company leaders emphasize community involvement as a cornerstone of the brand.
“It really is all about the community,” Hernandez said. “Our franchisees, from the time they come onto the brand, it’s important that they are deeply involved in the community. We are all about serving others.”
That philosophy was a major reason Chicken Salad Chick’s franchise development team believes the Melvins have found success. Their restaurants regularly participate in local events, provide catering services, support hospitals and invest in community partnerships.
“This couple really embodies what the brand stands for,” Hernandez said. “Community is the heart of everything that we do.”
For Palm Coast, the restaurant represents another sign of economic growth along the State Road 100 corridor. New businesses generate jobs, attract visitors, support nearby retailers and create additional opportunities for local vendors and service providers.
As customers streamed through the doors following the ribbon cutting, it was clear the community had eagerly awaited the arrival of the beloved Southern-inspired brand. Judging by the overnight campers, enthusiastic crowds and steady line of customers, Chicken Salad Chick’s newest location is already off to a strong start.
For Palm Coast residents, that’s something worth celebrating.
