It’s a Piece of Cake: Chicken Salad Chick and ESP Celebrate Every Birthday with Joy
At ESP, we believe every person deserves to be celebrated — especially on their birthday. Thanks to our friends at Chicken Salad Chick (CSC) and their new acquisition Piece of Cake, our monthly birthday celebrations at ESP campuses across Georgia are now even sweeter. Since the Birthday Party Program launched in January, nearly 200 participants have enjoyed a treat to cap off the family night supper closest to their big day.
The partnership between ESP and Chicken Salad Chick began with a shared commitment to spreading joy and creating meaningful experiences for people of all abilities. What started with CSC’s participation in events like Big Ball for All has blossomed into an ongoing collaboration.
Chicken Salad Chick provides signature white chocolate cakes to esp campuses in Rome, Savannah, Atlanta, and Athens each month. It’s the perfect centerpiece for a celebration that’s about more than just dessert. “When we learned that esp hosts birthday celebrations for participants who might not otherwise have a cake or party, we wanted to help make those moments special,” said Makayla Ekiss, Marketing Manager at Chicken Salad Chick. “Supporting ESP aligns perfectly with our mission to spread joy, enrich lives, and serve others.”
“Supporting ESP aligns perfectly with our mission to spread joy, enrich lives, and serve others.”
A Partnership with Heart
The partnership is especially meaningful because it’s also personal.
“Our partnership with esp has such a direct, tangible impact,” Makayla said. “We see it in the smiles at birthday parties, and in the excitement at events.”
Through their CSC Foundation, volunteer opportunities are shared with corporate employees, encouraging hands-on engagement with esp participants. Their CEO has also attended ESP’s Big Ball for All — a testament to their commitment to making a difference beyond the business.
Growing Together
As ESP continues to expand into new communities, partnerships like the one with Chicken Salad Chick are what make that growth possible. ESP provides scholarships to make programming affordable for all families; that’s only possible because of corporate partners like Chicken Salad Chick, who not only fund but also fuel the mission.
For ESP participants, a birthday celebration means more than cake — it’s a moment of belonging, recognition, and joy. And for Chicken Salad Chick, it’s a chance to live out their purpose in a truly meaningful way.
Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick’s robust menu is a perfect fit for any guest. Founded in Auburn, Alabama, by Stacy and Kevin Brown, in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick has grown to more than 300 restaurants in 22 states. Today, under the leadership of Scott Deviney and the Chicken Salad Chick team, the brand is continuing its rapid expansion with both franchise and company locations. Chicken Salad Chick has received numerous accolades including rankings in the 2023 Entrepreneur Franchise 500, Franchise Times’ Fast & Serious for the third consecutive year, Fast Casual.com’s top Movers and Shakers from 2018 to 2023, QSR’s Best Franchise Deals in 2019, 2020 and 2022, and Franchise Business Review’s Top Food Franchises in 2020. See www.chickensaladchick.com
