Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken Announces Record Growth and Expansion Strategy at Annual Conference
TL;DR
Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken offers franchise opportunities with record $235 million system sales and plans to double units by 2030, providing strong growth potential.
Lee's achieved $1.85 million average unit volume through restaurant modernization that drove 8% sales lift and 7% traffic growth at remodeled locations.
Lee's maintains family traditions while honoring community-focused operators, creating lasting local impact through decades of quality service and franchisee recognition.
Founders' grandchildren attended Lee's reunion celebrating 60 years of history, where a Richmond store achieved over $6 million in annual sales.
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Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken gathered more than 280 franchise owners, corporate leaders and business partners for its annual Lee's Family Reunion at the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa in St. Charles, Missouri, where the company celebrated substantial growth and outlined ambitious expansion plans. CEO Ryan Weaver opened the conference by highlighting a system experiencing significant momentum, with 2024 system sales reaching $235 million and 2025 performance tracking ahead of that milestone.
The brand currently boasts an average unit volume of $1.85 million and is pushing toward a $2 million goal. More significantly, Lee's announced development goals to more than double its current unit count by 2030 while simultaneously investing in rebranding initiatives to modernize existing restaurants. Conference attendees witnessed the impact of these modernization efforts firsthand when visiting the recently remodeled St. Charles location, which has experienced an 8% sales lift and 7% traffic growth since its renovation.
The conference featured prominent industry speakers including Danny Klein, Vice President Editorial Director of QSR Magazine, and Scott Greenberg, author and management trainer, who delivered insights on leadership, industry trends, and thriving in competitive business environments. Their presentations left franchisees energized to implement new strategies in their local markets.
A particularly meaningful moment occurred with the gathering of Jack Omer and Katie Bennett, grandchildren of Lee's founders, whose presence highlighted the brand's nearly 60-year heritage and family-oriented culture. This connection to the company's origins provided a powerful backdrop for discussions about future growth and brand evolution.
The event culminated in an awards dinner recognizing outstanding operators who exemplify the brand's values of service, quality, and growth. Emmett and Jenny Gamache from St. Louis, Missouri received the Legacy Award for their decades of commitment to the Lee's brand and local community. NLM Enterprises LLC earned Operator of the Year honors for demonstrating exceptional sales performance and operational excellence in the Detroit, Michigan market. Henry Loving of HTL Inc. received the Pacesetter Award for achieving the highest sales across the entire system, with his Richmond, Virginia store surpassing $6 million in annual sales for 2024.
CEO Ryan Weaver emphasized the significance of the event, stating that the combination of heritage and momentum positions Lee's to achieve its boldest goals. The company's growth trajectory and expansion plans signal strong confidence in the brand's market position and future potential in the competitive quick-service restaurant industry. For more information about Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken, visit https://www.leesfamousrecipe.com.
Curated from 24-7 Press Release
