Slim Chickens
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fast casual restaurant |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Founder | Greg Smart, Tom Gordon |
| Headquarters | Fayetteville, Arkansas , United States |
Area served | United States, United Kingdom, Kuwait (formerly), Germany, Malaysia |
Key people | Tom Gordon (CEO) |
| Products | Chicken tenders, wings, sandwiches, salads, wraps, chicken and waffles |
| Website | slimchickens |
Slim Chickens is a U.S.-based fast casual restaurant brand that specializes in chicken tenders, wings, sandwiches, salads, wraps, chicken and waffles, and similar menu items. Established in 2003 by Greg Smart and Tom Gordon, the company emphasizes fresh chicken dishes.
History
The inaugural Slim Chickens restaurant opened its doors in 2003 at 2120 N. College Avenue, Fayetteville, Arkansas, occupying a space previously used by a sushi establishment. A second outlet followed in 2005 in nearby Rogers, Arkansas. Growth picked up momentum in 2008 with the addition of five more company-operated locations throughout Arkansas and Oklahoma. The brand initiated franchising efforts in 2013, launching its first franchise in Texarkana, Arkansas, under the leadership of entrepreneur Greg McKay.
Since that time, Slim Chickens has expanded to more than 100 restaurants across 19 states within the United States and has extended its presence internationally to the UK and Kuwait. The chain celebrated its 100th restaurant opening on December 18, 2020, located in Little Rock, Arkansas.
10 Point Capital and 600 Restaurant Goal
In 2019, Slim Chickens obtained a minority stake investment from 10 Point Capital. CEO Tom Gordon indicated that this capital injection would facilitate the company's goal to establish 600 locations over the following ten years.
International expansion
Slim Chickens initiated its global expansion through a collaboration with Alghanim Industries from the Persian Gulf region, unveiling its first international restaurant in Salmiya, Kuwait, in May 2017; this outlet ceased operations in 2022. Entry into the UK market was achieved via a partnership with Boparan Restaurant Group, with locations opening sequentially in London (2018), Cardiff and Bristol (2019), Birmingham (2020), and Kent's Bluewater Shopping Centre (2020). Further UK growth involved restaurants opening in Bournemouth, Southampton, and Plymouth (2021), followed by Bury St Edmunds and Crawley (2023).
The brand's debut German location launched in Berlin on August 24, 2024. Additionally, Slim Chickens introduced its first Malaysian restaurant in Subang Jaya on July 15, 2025.