Slim Chickens Explained

Slim Chickens is an American fast-casual^[3] restaurant chain which specializes in chicken tenders, wings, sandwiches, salads, wraps, chicken and waffles, and other items. It was founded in 2003 by Greg Smart and Tom Gordon.^[4]

History

The first location opened in 2003 at 2120 N. College Avenue in Fayetteville, Arkansas, inside a building formerly home to a sushi restaurant. In 2005, the second location opened in the nearby city of Rogers. The chain's expansion accelerated in 2008 with five more company-owned locations opening in Arkansas and Oklahoma. In 2013, the first franchise location was opened in Texarkana, Arkansas, by businessman Greg McKay.

The company has since expanded with more than 100 locations in 19 states, with international locations in the UK and Kuwait. The 100th location opened in Little Rock, Arkansas, on December 18, 2020.^[5]

10 Point Capital and 600 Restaurant Goal

Slim Chickens in 2019 announced a minority investment by 10 Point Capital. CEO Tom Gordon said the investment would help the company toward its stated goal of opening 600 locations in the next 10 years.^[6]

International expansion

In a partnership with Persian Gulf company Alghanim Industries, the first international Slim Chickens opened in Salmiya, Kuwait,^[7] in May 2017. A London branch opened at 35 James Street in March 2018 via a partnership with Boparan Restaurant Group. A Cardiff branch opened in St David's 2 shopping centre in 2019. A Bristol UK branch opened in 2019 in the shopping area of Cabot Circus. A branch of this restaurant chain opened in Birmingham, UK.

The first branch in Kent, England, opened in Bluewater Shopping Centre in February 2020.^[8] Since then, in 2021, three new openings within Bournemouth, Southampton and Plymouth have taken place in the south coast of England, UK. In 2023, Bury St Edmunds and Crawley UK branches opened.^[9] A total of 52 UK locations are now open (Oct 24)

The first German location, in Berlin, opened August 24, 2024.^[10]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Fayetteville-based Slim Chickens to expand to Middle East, North Africa regions. Fayetteville Flyer. 25 June 2017.
2. Web site: Locations - Addresses, Directions, Hours and More - Slim Chickens. 16 September 2010. 25 June 2017.
3. Web site: Rengers. Carrie. October 26, 2016. Hey, Slim, what's up with that chicken?. 25 June 2017. The Wichita Eagle.
4. Web site: Fayetteville-based Slim Chickens taking fresh chicken nationwide. Fayetteville Flyer. 25 June 2017.
5. Web site: Bartholomew . Dustin . February 14, 2020 . Fayetteville-based Slim Chickens continues to reach new heights . 2023-03-14 . Fayetteville Flyer . en-US.
6. Web site: Slim Chickens Plans 600 Locations with Equity Investment . QSR Magazine . WTWH Media, LLC . 29 November 2024 . 17 July 2019.
7. Web site: Location - Slim Chickens. www.slimchickensme.com. 25 June 2017.
8. Web site: Chicken restaurant coming to shopping centre. 2020-02-11. Kent Online. en. 2020-02-26.
9. Web site: We dined at a town's latest fast food fixture – and this is what we thought . 26 August 2023 .
10. News: Magsam . John . Slim Chickens opens first German store . 29 November 2024 . Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette . Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC . 19 September 2024 . en.