Brand builds on success to drive growth into new year and beyond
Strong Sales Performance
Lee’s wrapped up 2024 with robust year-to-date same-store sales at +1.4% and +4.2% including new unit openings. While some national competitors reported negative third quarter comp sales, the Lee’s system was up 1.0%. The company also experienced positive year-over-year restaurant traffic.
Expanded Leadership
Lee’s welcomed Meagan Kellogg as Vice President of Finance. Meagan possesses extensive expertise as a seasoned finance professional with a proven history of success in the restaurant industry. Kellogg is tasked with strengthening the company’s financial infrastructure in preparation for future growth.
Additionally, Logan Sumner joined Lee’s as Chief Development Officer. Sumner specializes in franchise growth with previous leadership experience at Driven Brands across multiple business segments. He has a strong track record of scaling brands and fostering franchise success along with multi-unit operations experience. Sumner is tasked with building a best-in-class franchise development function at Lee’s.
“We are poised for an exciting new chapter with Meagan and Logan on board. With their leadership and expertise, we are setting up the Lee’s system to be prepared for the growth we are expecting to see,” said Ryan Weaver, CEO of Lee’s Famous Recipe® Chicken. “I look forward to Lee’s building on the legacy of our great product and creating new opportunities for growth throughout the United States.”
Growing Brand Presence
In 2024, Lee’s successfully expanded into new territory by opening four new restaurants in Michigan, marking the highest number of new unit openings in a single year for the brand in recent history. The franchise-owned locations signal a significant milestone in Lee’s growth and reflect the strong partnerships the company has with their operators. Lee’s also reacquired 16 existing franchised locations in 2024, marking a continuation of the brand’s commitment to creating alignment with its operators.
“We are more committed than ever to supporting our franchise partners and ensuring that Lee’s is positioned for sustainable growth,” said Weaver. “Not only is our brand positioned for franchise expansion, but we have also continue to grow and invest in our company-owned locations to demonstrate that we are truly committed to our goals.”
For more information about Lee’s Famous Recipe® Chicken, visit LeesFamousRecipe.com or follow them on Facebook or Instagram. Want to open your own Lee’s Famous Recipe® Chicken? Learn more about franchising opportunities at LeesFamousRecipe.com/franchise.
About Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken
For more than 55 years, Lee’s Famous Recipe® Chicken, a quick service franchise founded in Lima, Ohio, has specialized in fresh, never frozen chicken. Lee’s is recognized for two years in a row as a top 10 Fast Food Fried Chicken by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award. Today, there are more than 130 Lee’s Famous Recipe® Chicken locations in 12 U.S. states and in Canada, most are individually owned and operated. For additional information, please visit LeesFamousRecipe.com.
Media Contact:
Brianne Barbakoff
Ink Link Marketing
brianne@inklinkmarketing.com
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