Chicken Salad Chick Finally Makes Its Way West
You know how some of us Vegas locals are always complaining that we never get the good restaurant chains that seem to pop up everywhere else first? Well, here's some news that might make you do a little happy dance – Chicken Salad Chick is finally coming to Las Vegas. And not just one location, but six restaurants across the valley.
The Southern-style chicken salad chain just inked a deal with a local husband-and-wife team, Mark and Cayla Rubalcaba, who are longtime Vegas residents. These aren‘t your typical franchise newbies either – Mark’s got serious hospitality chops from his time with MGM Resorts International and BetMGM, while Cayla spent five years teaching at Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School after going through MGM‘s Management Associate Program. Real talk, it’s refreshing to see locals who actually understand our community taking the reins.
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From Auburn to Vegas – A Love Story With Chicken Salad
Here's where it gets cute – Mark and Cayla first discovered Chicken Salad Chick when they were students at Auburn University. Both were NCAA Division I athletes (because of course they were – we attract the overachievers here in Vegas), and they fell head over heels for the brand‘s hospitality and community vibe. Fast forward to today, and they’re bringing that same energy to their hometown.
“Having the opportunity to bring a brand that means so much to us to our hometown is incredibly meaningful,” said Cayla Rubalcaba. As someone who‘s watched this city grow and change over the years, I love seeing people who genuinely care about Las Vegas taking on projects like this. It’s not just about opening restaurants – it's about building something that fits into the fabric of our neighborhoods.
What Makes This Different
Chicken Salad Chick isn‘t your average fast-casual joint. They’re the only restaurant concept that focuses entirely on chicken salad, and everything is made from scratch. We're talking more than a dozen original flavors, plus fresh sides, gourmet soups, and sandwiches. For a town that loves its comfort food (hello, we live in the desert), this sounds like exactly what we need.
The timing couldn't be better either. Nevada is one of five new states the brand opened for development in 2025, with a heavy focus on Southwest expansion. Mark Verges, Vice President of Franchise Development at Chicken Salad Chick, explained that the Southwest represents one of their most exciting growth regions. Smart move – we've got the population growth and the appetite for quality casual dining.
The Local Connection That Matters
What I really appreciate about this deal is that the Rubalcabas aren‘t just business people looking to make a quick buck. They’re bringing in Cayla's father, Anton Nikodemus, a seasoned hospitality executive, as a strategic partner. This is a family operation with deep Vegas roots and serious industry knowledge.
The brand has been crushing it lately too – they awarded nearly 100 new restaurant deals in 2025 alone and opened 42 locations across 13 states. They‘ve been recognized by QSR Magazine as one of the best franchise deals for four years running, so the Rubalcabas picked a winner.
No word yet on exactly where these six locations will land, but with their focus on community and understanding of Vegas neighborhoods, I’m betting they'll pick spots that actually make sense for locals. Check out the official Chicken Salad Chick website for updates on opening dates and locations as they become available.
