PALM COAST, Fla. – The excitement was impossible to miss as hundreds of eager customers gathered along State Road 100 for the highly anticipated grand opening of Palm Coast’s newest restaurant, Chicken Salad Chick. For some, the celebration began long before sunrise. In fact, Palm Coast resident Linda Klayman arrived at 8 p.m. the night before and camped out with her daughter, Lauren, to secure the coveted first spot in line.
“It was just the excitement of it,” Klayman said. “I wanted to be part of the fun.”
Their dedication paid off. As the first customer in line, Klayman earned free Chicken Salad Chick rewards for an entire year, a prize she gladly accepted while insisting she would never tire of the restaurant’s many chicken salad varieties.
Leading the official ribbon-cutting ceremony was Flagler County Chamber of Commerce President John Phillips, who praised the restaurant’s arrival in Palm Coast.
“This has been a long time coming,” Phillips said. “This is a great day for Palm Coast and another great, well-known, well-respected business model to come to our community right here on State Road 100. Darren and Lindsay are proven operators, and we’re grateful to have them here in Palm Coast.”
The Palm Coast location marks the seventh Chicken Salad Chick restaurant owned by Darin and Lyndsey Melvin, who have steadily expanded their footprint across the Southeast. While the couple currently resides in Valdosta, Georgia, Palm Coast has been on their radar for years.
“Palm Coast was actually one of the first locations we wanted to open,” said Lyndsey Melvin. “Securing the real estate took some time, but we never gave up on it. We’re thrilled to finally be here.”
Chicken Salad Chick’s Director of Marketing, Ervin Hernandez, noted that the rapidly growing brand now operates more than 336 locations nationwide and continues to expand. Yet, despite its growth, the company’s focus remains rooted in community involvement.
“It’s all about community,” Hernandez said. “Our franchisees are deeply involved where they operate. We’re about spreading joy, enriching lives, and serving others. Community is the heart of everything we do.”
That philosophy is something the Melvin family embraces wholeheartedly. Their children help operate locations, family members work throughout the business, and managers from other stores traveled to Palm Coast to support opening week.
“This really is a family business,” said Franchise Development Manager Julie Jarrell. “They embody everything Chicken Salad Chick stands for.”
For Darin Melvin, opening day brought both excitement and nerves.
“There’s a lot of preparation to get here,” he said. “You just want everything to go smoothly. But we’re excited to serve Palm Coast and become part of the community.”
Located on State Road 100, Chicken Salad Chick officially opened its doors following the ribbon cutting, welcoming a steady stream of customers eager to sample favorites like Dixie Chick, Fruity Fran, and the restaurant’s newest menu offerings.
With a commitment to hospitality, community involvement, and fresh-made food, the newest addition to Palm Coast’s dining scene appears poised for a warm and lasting reception.
The Palm Coast Chicken Salad Chick is located at 5650 E. Hwy 100, Palm Coast, FL, next door to the WaWa in the shopping plaza.
