EPISODE · Jun 12, 2026 · 15 MIN
Chicken Salad Chick Grew to 335 Locations. Makayla Ekiss Says Catering Execution Helped Fuel the Expansion
from Digital Hospitality · host Shawn P. Walchef
Makayla Ekiss, leader of off-premise growth at Chicken Salad Chick, shares how the 335-unit brand is scaling catering without sacrificing operations. From moving managers out of delivery vehicles and back into restaurants to building a trusted partnership with DeliverThat, Ekiss explains why execution matters more than marketing when it comes to growing catering sales. She also discusses Chicken Salad Chick's rapid expansion, creating buy-in around off-premise channels, and how great hospitality turns first-time catering customers into lifelong fans. Execution Drives Catering Growth – Makayla Ekiss believes successful catering programs are built through consistency, not marketing. Customers remember when restaurants solve problems, deliver on time, and exceed expectations. Those experiences create repeat business and turn catering customers into long-term advocates. Delivery Partners Can Unlock Growth – As Chicken Salad Chick expanded catering, managers were spending too much time out of the restaurant making deliveries. Partnering with DeliverThat allowed operators to focus on running the business while maintaining a high standard of service for catering guests. Off-Premise Creates New Opportunities – Catering and third-party channels are more than additional revenue streams. Ekiss explains that off-premise growth can create new career paths for team members, help restaurants promote from within, and give operators additional ways to scale without sacrificing hospitality. Episode Links: Makayla Ekiss LinkedIn: https://chickwww.linkedin.com/in/makayla-ekiss-973306196/ Chicken Salad Chick: https://www.chickensaladchick.com/ Chicken Salad Chick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chickensaladchick/ Chicken Salad Chick Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chickensaladchicktok Chicken Salad Chick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chicken-salad-chick/ DeliverThat Online: https://www.ideliverthat.com/ DeliverThat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deliverthatco/ DeliverThat YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DeliverThat Where to find Cali BBQ MediaVisit our WebsiteFollow Restaurant Technology SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on LinkedInLearn About our Media Services
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Makayla Ekiss, leader of off-premise growth at Chicken Salad Chick, shares how the 335-unit brand is scaling catering without sacrificing operations. From moving managers out of delivery vehicles and back into restaurants to building a trusted partnership with DeliverThat, Ekiss explains why execution matters more than marketing when it comes to growing catering sales. She also discusses Chicken Salad Chick's rapid expansion, creating buy-in around off-premise channels, and how great hospitality turns first-time catering customers into lifelong fans.
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Chicken Salad Chick Grew to 335 Locations. Makayla Ekiss Says Catering Execution Helped Fuel the Expansion
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