Meet The Team
President and CEO
Scott Deviney
Scott Deviney is the President and CEO of Chicken Salad Chick, serving in this role since May 2015 after partnering with a private equity firm to purchase the company from the founders. Since then, the company has grown from 32 restaurants in 6 states to over 350 restaurants spanning 27 states, making Chicken Salad Chick one of the fastest growing restaurant brands in the country. In 2023, Scott oversaw the company’s purchase of Atlanta-based Piece of Cake. Prior to his tenure at Chicken Salad Chick, Scott was a Wendy’s franchisee, owning and operating 24 restaurants throughout Atlanta. Early in his career, Scott held various positions in the banking industry, including roles in restaurant financing and advisory. Scott and his wife, Kristy, have three children and are active in the Atlanta community.
Top Chick flavor: Anything spicy! Buffalo Barclay, Kickin’ Kay Lynne, Jalapeño Pimento Cheese all make my list!
Chief Operating Officer
Jim Thompson
As Chief Operating Officer for Chicken Salad Chick, Jim Thompson, CFE, built our operations, training, and management systems from the ground up, making him a vital part of our growth from six stores to more than 80. Jim has implemented food safety and guest satisfaction audits from third-party vendors for maximum objectivity. He is a Certified Franchise Executive and, for more than 25 years, he has focused on improving organization performance with a solution-driven leadership style.
Top Chick: Cranberry Kelli. But when you meet Jim, don’t be surprised if he talks about our Grape Salad first!
Chief Finance Officer
Drew Travis
As CFO, Drew Travis brings more than 18 years of finance and over a decade of restaurant industry experience, with a background spanning corporate finance, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), accounting, data analytics, profit and loss (P&L) management and strategic planning. He most recently served as Senior Vice President of Finance at GoTo Foods, the global multi-brand franchising company behind brands like Cinnabon and Moe’s Southwest Grill. During his nearly six years with the company, he also held Vice President of Finance and Senior Director of Finance positions. Prior to GoTo Foods, Drew held various senior financial leadership roles at other restaurant groups like Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. and GrubHub, along with other household brands like Discover Financial Services and Levi Strauss & Co.
Top Chick flavor: Lauryn’s Lemon Basil
Chief Marketing Officer
Jill Thomas
Jill Thomas is the Chief Marketing Officer of Chicken Salad Chick. She brings more than 20 years of experience leading brand, digital, and growth strategies across the consumer, restaurant, retail and sports sectors. Prior to joining Chicken Salad Chick, Thomas held senior marketing roles at PGA TOUR Superstore, Edible Brands, Cinnabon, Bloomin’ Brands, Yum! Brands, Disney Parks & Resorts, and Publix Super Markets. As CMO, Jill leads all brand marketing functions, overseeing national consumer marketing, digital and loyalty strategy, menu innovation support, and guest experience initiatives. Recognized as a leading voice in digital and CRM/loyalty strategy, she has spoken at numerous industry forums and was named one of Brand Innovators’ Top 100 Women in Brand Marketing in 2019. She holds an MBA from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree in advertising from Florida Southern College.
Top Chick flavor: Cranberry Kelli
Chief Development Officer
Brian Lindley
Brian Lindley serves as Chief Development Officer at Chicken Salad Chick, where he leads the brand’s franchise development and new restaurants strategy, supporting its continued growth across the country. With decades of experience in real estate, franchise development, site selection and multi-unit growth, Brian has held leadership roles with Chick-fil-A, BP and Restaurant Brands International. At Chicken Salad Chick, he focuses on identifying strategic growth opportunities, strengthening franchise partnerships and expanding the brand into new markets while maintaining a thoughtful approach to long-term development.
Top Chick flavor: Sassy Scotty
Chief Information Officer
Ryles Dodd
Ryles Dodd serves as the Chief Information Officer for Chicken Salad Chick, leading the strategic alignment of technology to support and grow our business and guest experience. Prior to joining us, Ryles held various leadership and executive roles at companies including Arby’s, Longhorn Steakhouse and Capital Grille. Ryles grew up in Macon, GA, and is a GA Tech grad. He and his wife Laura have three kids and call Woodstock, GA, their home. And when he’s not at work he’s spending time outdoors either boating, camping or fishing. So he’s a southern gentleman to the core.
Top Chick Flavor: Olivia’s Old South.
VP of Legal and General Counsel
Carol Terry
Carol Terry is a native of Georgia and proud to call Atlanta home. After graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in theatre, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting. A job at a law firm, taken on to help pay the bills, sparked an unexpected interest in the law and led her back to the South. Following several years in private practice in Atlanta, she joined the in-house legal team at the General Electric Company, where she was fortunate to build a career that took her around the world. During her almost 20 years with GE, Carol took on roles of increasing responsibility, including as Global Managing Attorney in Milan, Italy, where she grew GE Energy’s Contractual Services legal team from 5 attorneys in Atlanta to 11 attorneys globally, and a 4.5 year role as General Counsel for GE’s $2 billion global Transmission and Distribution business, among other General Counsel roles across the GE Energy segment.
Carol took on the role of a lifetime as “Chief Legal Chick” at Chicken Salad Chick in 2022, where she has been truly grateful to work alongside an outstanding team of leaders building a brand devoted to Spreading Joy, Enriching Lives and Serving Others.
Top Chick flavor: Jalapeño Holly
Vice President Human Resources
Mary Lou Atkins
Mary Lou is a seasoned and strategic HR executive with 40+ years of experience in the restaurant industry. She is skilled in talent and performance management, as well as employee relations. Atkins joined Chicken Salad Chick in 2019, previously holding various positions with Popeyes over the course of 35 years. Mary Lou grew up in several different communities being the child of a military family. From big city life to small towns in the south, she learned early on what it takes to connect with people and see the value in everyone, no matter the circumstances.
Top Chick flavor: Fancy Nancy, love the grapes, apples and pecans… but whenever our Patti Thai’riffic limited time chicken salad is on the menu it becomes her go-to!