American restaurant brand Layne's Chicken Fingers has signed a five-unit deal to establish its presence in Arizona, US.

The first is set to open in Tucson, with the subsequent four venues planned for the southern region of Phoenix.

The agreement, which introduces the brand to the Arizona market, has been signed with entrepreneur Josh Orellana.

Orellana said: “I did my undergraduate at Texas A&M [University] and I'm also originally from Texas. When my wife and I decided to move to Arizona, I wanted to bring a brand I know and trust into the area. When I found out Layne's was franchising, I leapt at the chance.”

Last year, Layne's Chicken Fingers awarded franchises for 48 restaurants to dedicated franchisees as part of its growth strategy.

The Arizona deal is a critical step towards achieving its target of 50 units by the end of 2025 and 100 in the four years to 2027.

Layne's Chicken Fingers COO Samir Wattar said: “We're happy to welcome Orellana to the system and know he will represent the brand well in Arizona. This is the first location in the state, and we're optimistic about our growth in the market.”

Last month, Layne’s Chicken Fingers announced that it will expand its presence with 15 new locations in South Florida as part of its growth strategy.

Franchisees Shahmeer Alam and Yves Jodesty have announced plans to open restaurants across Fort Lauderdale, Broward, Miami and Palm Beach County, aiming to launch one to two venues each year.