Chicken Salad Chick, a fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, is making its Nevada debut with a six-unit franchise agreement in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The deal marks the brand’s first development in the Silver State.
Leading the development is husband-and-wife team Mark and Cayla Rubalcaba, longtime Las Vegas residents whose professional backgrounds span hospitality, marketing and education. The duo will spearhead the rollout of six restaurants across the market.
“Our long-term goal is to help Chicken Salad Chick thrive in Las Vegas while contributing to the brand’s continued growth nationwide,” said Mark Rubalcaba. “We take seriously the responsibility of building a business that reflects its values — one that brings people together, fosters community and becomes a lasting staple in the Las Vegas Valley.”
Mark Rubalcaba brings extensive leadership experience in hospitality and gaming, having held roles with MGM Resorts International and BetMGM. Cayla Rubalcaba ‘s background includes hospitality training through MGM Resorts’ Management Associate Program and five years as a biological science teacher at Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School.
Their connection to Chicken Salad Chick began at Auburn University, where Mark and Cayla first experienced the brand. Both former NCAA Division I athletes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the pair credit their competitive backgrounds with instilling the discipline, resilience and drive they now bring to franchise ownership.
“We fell in love with Chicken Salad Chick during our time at Auburn, and it’s always felt like more than just a restaurant,” said Cayla Rubalcaba. “Having the opportunity to bring a brand that means so much to us to our hometown is incredibly meaningful. We’re excited to introduce Las Vegas to the same hospitality and sense of community that first drew us in.”
They are joined in the venture by Cayla’s father, Anton Nikodemus, a seasoned hospitality executive who will serve as a strategic partner in the group’s development efforts, bringing decades of industry experience to support long-term growth.
Nevada is one of five new states Chicken Salad Chick opened for development in 2025, alongside Arizona, New Jersey, New York and Utah. Notably, three of those markets — Arizona, Nevada and Utah — are located in the Southwest, underscoring the brand’s expansion into high-growth Western territories and reinforcing its evolution into a nationally recognized concept.
“The Southwest represents one of the most exciting growth regions for our brand,” said Mark Verges, vice president of franchise development at Chicken Salad Chick. “Expanding into Nevada marks a key milestone in our westward development strategy. Partnering with operators like Mark and Cayla, who deeply understand their community and embody our culture of hospitality, positions us for long-term success in the region.”
