Expansion Milestone: Utah Entry Marks 23rd State for Chicken Salad Chick
Chicken Salad Chick is opening its first Utah restaurant on June 9 in Pleasant Grove, marking the chain's entry into its 23rd state. The new location, operated by franchise owners Michael and Rylan Mills alongside brothers-in-law Tommy Richardson and Trent Valentine, represents the first venture for the father-son ownership team.
The Pleasant Grove restaurant is located at 2093 W. Pleasant Grove Blvd and will operate Monday through Saturday from 10am to 8pm.
Grand Opening Incentives
The first 100 guests in line on opening day will win free chicken salad. The first guest will receive one large Quick Chick per week for a year, while the next 99 guests will receive one large Quick Chick per month for a year.
Additional giveaways through June 13 include:
- June 10: First 25 guests at 10am or 5pm receive a 40oz Chick Tumbler with lid and straw
- June 11: First 25 guests at 10am or 5pm receive a white canvas tote bag
- June 12: First 25 guests at 10am or 5pm receive an insulated catering bag
- June 13: First 25 guests at 10am or 5pm receive a drawstring bag
The Ownership Team
Michael Mills, a CPA and entrepreneur, owned and operated Stonebridge Manor wedding and event venue for 22 years and Board & Batten restaurant for eight years. Rylan Mills worked as a Senior Auditor at Deloitte for four years before joining his father's ventures. Both are Brigham Young University graduates with accounting degrees.
Rylan's wife, Kiera, manages social media for the restaurant, while his sisters Jacquie and Melanie support grand opening operations. Michael's wife, Becky, oversees catering.
The ownership group, operating as MV&R Legacy Partners LLC, has plans to develop six restaurants in Utah County and seven additional locations in Arizona, with Richardson and Valentine overseeing the Arizona expansion beginning next year.
Menu and Service Model
The Pleasant Grove location offers over a dozen made-from-scratch chicken salad flavors, fresh sides, soups, sandwiches, and desserts. The restaurant supports in-restaurant dining, takeout, third-party delivery, and catering.
"My family and I are so excited to bring the first Chicken Salad Chick restaurant to Utah this summer," said Rylan Mills. "The brand's culture, core values and mission to 'Spread Joy, Enrich Lives, and Serve Others' immediately resonated with us. Having a strong sense of community is important to Utahns, and establishing a place that brings people together, serves scratch‑made food, and offers a welcoming atmosphere will be essential to our success. We can't wait to meet our Pleasant Grove guests in just a few weeks!"
CEO Scott Deviney noted the significance of the Utah expansion. "Expanding into Utah and achieving operations in 23 states has been a very meaningful milestone for our team," Deviney said. "Partnering with new franchise owners like Michael and Rylan, who embody our core values and have a genuine passion for serving their community, makes this news even more exciting. We're thrilled to be growing here and confident our dining experience will resonate with guests across the state."
Community Commitment
The Pleasant Grove location is supporting Tabitha's Way, a network of local food pantries serving Alpine, American Fork, Cedar Hills, Highland, Lehi, Lindon, Pleasant Grove, and Vineyard. The brand operates the CSC Foundation, which supports CURE Childhood Cancer and local food banks throughout the year.
Why It Matters
Chicken Salad Chick's Utah entry signals continued momentum in the fast-casual segment as the chain approaches 340 locations. The opening demonstrates the brand's ability to attract experienced multi-unit operators from traditional restaurant backgrounds while expanding beyond its traditional Southern footprint into Western markets—a critical growth marker for regional chains seeking national reach.
---
For more insights and trends in the food and beverage sector, check out more articles in The Food & Beverage Magazine family of publications.
Written by FBM Publications Editors