Local franchise owners, John and Laura Mazurek, are bringing Chicken Salad Chick to western Milwaukee with a four-restaurant development agreement. Multi-unit deals like this are fueling the brand’s expansion beyond its Southern roots and into new Midwest markets.
John grew up in the Milwaukee area, and Laura is from a Chicago suburb. The two met as students at Marquette University and have now been married for 12 years, with their three children at the center of their world.
Friends call the Mazurek home the ‘hosting house’ because they are always looking for new ways to pitch in around their community. From family dinners to parties for the kids’ sports teams, their events often turn into service projects. At a recent holiday party for their oldest daughter’s dance group, the girls made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a local food pantry.
“To our family, having a ‘servant’s heart’ means showing up for others with genuine empathy and clear intention,” the couple said.
Church, school, and charity work have been part of their lives since childhood, so Chicken Salad Chick’s mission to Spread Joy, Enrich Lives, and Serve Others® felt familiar from the start.
“We were especially moved by the Chicken Salad Chick Foundation’s commitment to supporting local charities, advancing cancer initiatives, and providing hunger relief,” they added.
For the Mazureks, a Chicken Salad Chick restaurant is a chance to extend the warmth of their own home to every guest. It’s also a way to show their children what hard work and service can build.
John began his hospitality career at Applebee’s during high school. He worked his way up to assistant manager and stayed on through college, working summers and part-time during the school year. He graduated from Marquette University in 2009 with a degree in accounting, then spent seven years at a Big Four firm serving a broad range of clients, including Jimmy John’s. For the past eight years, he has held increasingly senior roles in finance and program management at Briggs & Stratton.
Laura began her hospitality career at a local Starbucks during high school. She was promoted to shift supervisor as a teenager and continued working there through college. She graduated from Marquette University in 2010 and joined a Big Four public accounting firm. After several years in public accounting, she moved into fintech, where she has taken on finance roles of increasing responsibility.
That combination of experience gives the couple an advantage in multi-unit ownership. They understand the guest experience as well as the financial side of running a restaurant, and they approach both with the same level of commitment.
“When we commit to an endeavor, we give 110% effort, regardless of the task’s size,” they said.
Now, the Mazureks are combining their hospitality roots and financial expertise to open four restaurants of their own.
Chicken Salad Chick has grown well beyond its Southern roots, and multi-unit ownership is a big reason why. For franchise owners, developing several restaurants in one market creates advantages, including stronger local brand recognition and the ability to share staff, training, and resources across locations.
For the Mazureks, a four-unit agreement means room to build something lasting in western Milwaukee. It gives them a clear path to grow their business over time and create leadership opportunities for their team members. It also positions them to make a broader impact on the community they call home.
Interested in bringing Chicken Salad Chick to your community? Explore franchise opportunities today!
Q: What makes Chicken Salad Chick’s franchise growth strategy unique?
A: The brand focuses on disciplined, relationship-driven expansion with proven operators, prioritizing long-term sustainability over rapid expansion.
Q: Do I need restaurant experience to become a Chicken Salad Chick franchise owner?
A: While restaurant experience is certainly a plus, it’s not required. Chicken Salad Chick can teach you how to run a thriving restaurant business, but strong leadership skills, experience with managing teams, and a commitment to community involvement are crucial.
Q: How can I learn more about franchise opportunities?
A: Visit the Chicken Salad Chick franchising website to explore available territories and connect with the franchise development team.