Community Impact: How Chicken Salad Chick Franchisees Make a Difference

Chicken Salad Chick is more than a franchise, it’s a community-driven brand dedicated to spreading joy, enriching lives, and serving others. Through the dedication of franchisees like Paul Rohr, Melissa Zutell, Misty Whitehead, and Scott and Julie Beville, the heart of Chicken Salad Chick shines in communities across America.

Paul Rohr, a veteran with a background in tech, began his franchising journey with Chicken Salad Chick after his wife’s delightful encounter with our signature chicken salad in South Carolina. Intrigued by our simple kitchen model, Paul opened five Chicken Salad Chick restaurants, each strongly committed to community engagement. Through Chicken Salad Chick’s national Giving Cards initiative, Paul’s team supports CURE Childhood Cancer and Folds of Honor, raising scholarship funds for the families of fallen soldiers and first responders. In 2023 alone, Paul’s efforts contributed $27,000 to these causes. With plans to open more locations, Paul Rohr’s journey with Chicken Salad Chick reflects his dedication to community support and business growth.

Melissa Zutell, who previously worked as a franchise consultant for Domino’s, sought a franchise opportunity that would align with her values and passion for operations. Inspired by founder Stacy Brown’s episode on the How I Built This with Guy Raz podcast, Melissa found the perfect fit in Chicken Salad Chick. Her dedication to community impact is evident: “At the most basic level, we are not open if people aren’t supporting us. I have to give back to those who are keeping us open.” Beyond selling Giving Cards, Melissa and her team work to minimize food waste, regularly donating surplus fresh chicken salad to local food banks to support sustainability and community well-being.

For Misty Whitehead, Chicken Salad Chick was an opportunity to make a lasting difference in her local area. A dedicated franchisee with a strong belief in community connections, Misty actively engages in local events and initiatives to build meaningful relationships with customers and the surrounding community. Whether sponsoring local school activities or supporting regional events, Misty’s approach embodies the brand’s mission to serve beyond the plate, reinforcing her role as a trusted community leader.

If there’s one couple who knows about franchising and community leadership, it’s Scott and Julie Beville. The pair, who attended Clemson University and now reside in Greenville, SC, have built a small empire of Chicken Salad Chick locations across the Carolinas since opening their first restaurant in 2013. With a total of 17 locations and more in development, their success is guided by hard work, leadership, and strong business support. For Scott and Julie, the journey goes beyond business growth. As advocates for the brand’s community-focused mission, they’ve contributed to major charitable initiatives. In 2022, Scott was awarded “Owner of the Year” and joined the Chicken Salad Chick Foundation board to further his commitment to local communities. "There’s no limit to the good we can do in and for our communities when we tap into the Chicken Salad Chick passion for serving from the heart,” Scott shared. Recently, the Bevilles also expanded into Charleston, SC, opening their third location in the area and solidifying their dedication to building both business and community ties throughout the Carolinas.

The stories of Paul Rohr, Melissa Zutell, Misty Whitehead, and Scott and Julie Beville reveal the heart of Chicken Salad Chick, a place where people come together to make a positive impact. In 2023 alone, Chicken Salad Chick raised a record-setting $525,225 from 113,258 Giving Cards sold across 250+ locations. This impact reaches beyond our kitchens and into the lives of those we serve, creating a legacy of joy, service, and community enrichment. Chicken Salad Chick’s journey is not just about business growth; it’s about making meaningful contributions to the communities our franchisees proudly call home.