Another chicken finger chain is swooping in to challenge San Antonio’s pecking order. Layne’s Chicken Fingers is opening its first Alamo City restaurant at 7249 Bandera Rd.

In November 2025, the Frisco-based chain inked a major franchising deal with real estate and restaurant developer Eli Cohen to bring 44 units to San Antonio, West Texas, and the Coastal Bend. Although the newest store is in Leon Valley (an independent municipality despite its San Antonio zip), it marks Layne’s first introduction to local customers.

Entrepreneur Mike Layne founded the fast-casual concept in 1994 in College Station, soon bringing on then-Texas A&M student Mike Garratt to help with operations. After graduation, Garratt took over the restaurant, but kept the name. Now, Layne’s is a franchise with locations spread across Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

The concept is known for its “soon-to-be-famous” chicken fingers, available in combo meals with fries and Texas toast. The menu also includes items like club sandwiches, grilled cheeses, and grilled chicken wraps, which can all be dipped in sauces such as barbecue, honey mustard, and jalapeño ranch.

Once open, Layne’s will face stiff competition from a growing list of chicken joints. Similarly minded chain Raising Cane’s is already well-established in the San Antonio market, and chains like Houston-based Starbird are cashing in with multi-unit franchise agreements. Meanwhile, Nashville-style hot chicken chains are ruffling their own feathers, with Angry Chickz, Richie’s Hot Chicken, Dave’s Hot Chicken, and Urban Bird all planning local growth.

According to new Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filings, the 2,884-square-foot Layne’s in Leon Valley plans to wrap up construction in late August. The exact timeline for the opening is unconfirmed.