1851

Greg Smart, co-founder and CMO of <a href="http://slimchickensfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=founders-to-know-greg-smart-slim-chickens-1250" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Slim Chickens</a>, started the brand in a garage test kitchen in 2002 with high school friend Tom Gordon and has positioned the brand as an emerging leader in the &#8220;better chicken&#8221; segment. Focusing solely on chicken, Slim Chickens has seen double-digit comp sales growth for the past three years, and has experienced accelerated growth. This is due to a commitment to serve traditional Southern hospitality within its communities while offering the convenience and affordability of fast-casual dining. In 2014, the brand&#8217;s first year of franchising, Slim Chickens was able to sign on with six franchise partners, who all will develop multiple units in their respective markets. Currently, the brand has a lofty goal of 600 restaurants across the country by 2025. This success, however, hasn&#8217;t deterred Smart from holding on to his humble beginnings. Despite rapid growth, he is committed to maintaining personal relationships as the system expands so that each new franchisee lives and breathes the same passion for the brand as he did when coming up with the idea. What inspired you to open your business? I have always been an entrepreneur and at the time, 2002, I felt that there was an unmet demand for fresh chicken tenders served in a fast-casual setting in northwest Arkansas. The opportunity to serve premium quality recipes with an elevated focus on customer service was our inspiration; we felt this was our opportunity for success. At the time, our local economy was growing at a rapid pace fueled by the University of Arkansas and the growth of several large companies in the area (e.g. Walmart, Tyson, J.B. Hunt). My business partner and I began with one location in Fayetteville with the growth plan to be a regional, if not a national, restaurant brand. Was it a concept you instinctively knew would thrive? Yes, but persistent optimism is a founder&#8217;s best asset. What challenges did you, as a founder and owner, face this past year? In any business year there are always challenges, especially in the hospitality industry. Food cost inflation and supply chain management were a challenge for us this year. Rapid growth in multiple regions also led to supply chain challenges, but we chose to invest in hiring the position of Director of Purchasing to mitigate this challenge. This individual has also made a positive impact in reducing the effects of food inflation for the business. As a founder of a fast-growing business, a constant challenge is maintaining and cultivating a vibrant company culture that other talented individuals want to be a part of. I feel that we have met this challenge and continue to assemble a team of the best in the business. What is your vision for your brand in 2015? The vision for 2015 is to double the number of open Slim Chickens restaurants in new and existing markets. What do you know now that you wish you could have known when first opening your business? To be patient and know that staying focused on the core quality principles will allow you to succeed. I am glad that I did not know how difficult and challenging the trip would be. Do you have any advice for failure or a misstep in business? Having been through both before, I would say to keep motivated and have faith in what you are trying to accomplish. The world is full of nonbelievers and people that will tell you &#8220;no.&#8221; Do not let these individuals lead to internal doubt. Learn from both failure and success and understand why they happen.

1851 Franchise

Slim Chickens CMO discusses his journey in entrepreneurship. 

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Founders to Know: Greg Smart, Slim Chickens

founders-to-know-greg-smart-slim-chickens

Woodhouse Spas

Photo of exterior of Woodhouse Spa location

Woodhouse Spas Fees: What Do I Get for My Investment?

woodhouse-spas-franchise-fees-and-support

Paris Baguette

Photo of Paris Baguette cake featuring layers with cream and berries, topped with fresh berries

The Bakery Café Industry Is Booming, and Paris Baguette Is Leading the Charge

bakery-cafe-franchise-paris-baguette-opportunity

Caring Transitions

Compassionate Support During Life’s Major Changes: How Caring Transitions Leads With Heart and Professionalism

compassionate-support-during-lifes-major-changes-how-caring-transitions-leads-with-heart-and-professionalism

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

kekes-breakfast-cafe-franchisee-profile-moe-kahil-image

Day in the Life: Discovering the Passion Behind a Keke's Breakfast CafeⓇ Franchise

kekes-breakfast-cafe-franchisee-moe-khalil-profile

kekes-breakfast-cafe-launch-story-the-investment-building-exterior-image

The Strength of the Keke’s Breakfast CafeⓇ Franchise Investment

kekes-franchise-investment

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

House Passes Tax Relief Package With Key Benefits for Small Businesses and Franchises

house-passes-small-business-tax-relief-bill-2025

McDonald’s To Hire 375,000 Workers as It Prepares for Major U.S. Expansion

mcdonalds-to-hire-375000-workers-as-it-prepares-for-major-us-expansion

Subway Pushes Global Growth Despite U.S. Closures 

subway-pushes-global-growth-despite-us-closures

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

franchise supplier award design with Locate AI logo and 1851 Franchise badge

Franchise Real Estate Services | Locate AI — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

locate-ai-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How to Position Your Value Proposition

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How to Position Your Value Proposition — Point of Differentiation

how-to-position-your-value-proposition-with-a-point-of-differentiation

The Ultimate Guide To Selling Franchises: How To Build Effective Drip Campaigns for Lead Nurturing

how-franchisors-can-build-effective-drip-campaigns-for-lead-nurturing

How Car Sales Taught Buddy's Home Furnishings’ Mitchell Lee the Secrets of Franchise Development

how-car-sales-taught-buddys-home-furnishings-mitchell-lee-the-secrets-of-franchise-development

The Top 20 Cleaning Franchises to Invest in for 2025

top-cleaning-franchises-to-invest-in

The Top 20 Handyman Franchises To Invest in for 2025

top-handyman-franchises-to-invest-in

Affordable Franchise Opportunities: Exploring Low-Cost Home Service Franchises Under $50K

affordable-franchise-opportunities-exploring-low-cost-home-service-franchises-under-50k

franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Abid Khan and Paris Baguette logo

Longtime Tim Horton’s Franchisee Signs 4-Unit Agreement with Paris Baguette in Toronto

longtime-tim-hortons-franchisee-signs-4-unit-agreement-with-paris-baguette-in-toronto

Founders to Know: Greg Smart, Slim Chickens

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS