An Aggieland favorite is coming to the River Oaks area. Layne’s Chicken Fingers has claimed the former KFC location at 2359 S Shepherd Dr.

Expected to open in late 2023, it will offer both dine-in and drive-thru service. The new restaurant will be the College Station-based establishment’s third Houston-area outpost, joining a Katy location that opened in 2021 and a Garden Oaks location that opened in February.

Carlos Martinez, franchisee Masroor Fatany, and Geoff Herbert.Courtesy of Layne's Chicken Fingers

The restaurant will serve Layne's tightly focused menu of chicken tenders, chicken tender sandwiches, Texas toast, crinkle-cut fries, potato salad, and milkshakes. All of its self-described "Soon to be Famous" chicken fingers are cut by hand, marinated, and breaded on-site. They can be paired with one of four dipping sauces: Layne’s Secret Sauce, described as "the perfect blend of tangy, spicy, zesty, and peppery flavors;" buttermilk ranch; barbecue; and honey mustard.

“After a wildly successful opening in the Heights, it only made sense to expand to the eclectic Montrose neighborhood,” Layne’s partner Matt O’Reilly said in a statement. “This is our first location inside the loop and we are so excited to see our restaurant expand to even more chicken lovers.”

Layne’s comes to Houston via Texas A&M alum Masroor Fatany, who also owns seven locations of The Halal Guys across the Houston area.

“This location will mark a major step for the Layne’s legacy,” Fatany added. “The demand, which was already high, has only grown ever since we opened our Heights location, so bringing Layne’s to Montrose is going to allow us to bring our delicious chicken to customers throughout Houston.”