NM's first Chicken Salad Chick set to open Tuesday

On April 23, Chicken Salad Chick, a fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, will be opening its new West Side located at 10621 Unser Blvd.

The 3,200-square-foot restaurant will employ 50 people and includes a private dining room. It will be the first of the franchise in New Mexico.

Franchise owners Jennifer Sanchez and Keith Murray are planning to build multiple locations throughout the state.

“Keith and I fell in love with Chicken Salad Chick — the food, the culture, the brand. I had the privilege of working for the Chicken Salad Chick support center as an executive for the past two years and wanted to bring all that Chicken Salad Chick has to offer to my hometown of Albuquerque. We are excited to bring the local taste of Bueno Green Chile to our community to enjoy with their chicken salad,” Sanchez said.

The menu will include scoops or sandwiches of a variety styles of chicken salads, which include the Classic Carol, the Kickin’ Kay Lynne and the Cranberry Kelli.

“Every one of our flavors, Kickin’ Kay Lynne, Sassy Scotty, Buffalo Barclay, all the names, are women’s names that are important in Staci’s life," Sanchez said, referring to Staci M. Brown, the founder of Chicken Salad Chick.

Besides chicken salad, the eatery will have pimento cheese, salads, sides, soups, sandwiches, sweet treats and fresh lemonades.

Chicken Salad Chick will be having a grand opening celebration week with prizes throughout the week, including free chicken salad for the first 100 guests.

On April 23 (grand opening day), the first guest in line will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for an entire year, and the next 99 guests in line will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for a year.

Prizes change throughout the week and will be awarded to guests until April 27.