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Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Slim Chickens is a fast-casual restaurant franchise specializing in made-to-order, hand-breaded chicken tenders, wings, sandwiches and Southern sides.
Slim Chickens is a fast-casual restaurant franchise known for its "better chicken.” Specializing in made-to-order, hand-breaded chicken tenders, wings, sandwiches and Southern sides, Slim Chickens is known for its friendly atmosphere and extensive array of dipping sauces.
Slim Chickens was founded in 2003 by Tom Gordon and Greg Smart in Fayetteville, Arkansas and began franchising in 2011. The first franchise opened in Texarkana, Arkansas in 2013 and today Slim Chickens operates more than 250 locations in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Turkey.
Mission: Slim Chickens' mission is to serve the best hand-breaded chicken tenders and wings using fresh, all-natural ingredients in a friendly, Southern-hospitality-influenced atmosphere. Slim Chickens focuses on quality food, scratch-made sauces and creating a relaxed, at home feeling for guests.
Vision: Slim Chickens’ vision is growth via an aggressive, multi-year expansion plan aimed at evolving from a regional favorite into a dominant global fast-casual brand. Currently operating more than 250 locations worldwide, the company has sold development rights for 889 additional locations (with further international expansion in countries like Ireland, Malaysia, Poland and Singapore).
Slim Chickens is in the midst of targeted American expansion in California, the Northeast and West Virginia with availability in the North and South also available (international expansion opportunities are also available). Visit the Slim Chickens website for more information on current franchising opportunities.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Slim Chickens franchise ranges from $1,188,900 to $4,944,000. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| Real Property/Site Lease/Site Review Fees | $45,000 | $1,200,000 |
| Construction/Building Conversion | $400,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Site Work | $50,000 | $600,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment | $275,000 | $375,000 |
| Smallwares | $21,000 | $27,000 |
| Building Signage and Interior Graphics | $25,000 | $100,000 |
| Soft Costs | $90,000 | $120,000 |
| Insurance | $9,000 | $15,000 |
| Opening Inventory | $6,000 | $10,000 |
| Training Costs/Opening Assistance Reimbursement | $60,000 | $80,000 |
| POS System/Drive-Thru/Kiosks/Components/Menu Boards | $85,000 | $175,000 |
| Low Voltage/Security/Network Installation | $40,000 | $85,000 |
| Security & Utility Deposits | $2,500 | $50,000 |
| Business Licenses (Excluding Beer & Wine) | $400 | $2,000 |
| Grand Opening Ad Expenditure | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $40,000 | $65,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee for a Slim Chickens franchise is $30,000, which is due in full upon the signing of the franchise agreement.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, Slim Chickens franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty Fee | 5% of gross sales/week |
| Advertising Fund Contribution | 2% of gross sales/week |
| Local Ad Expenditure / Cooperative Contribution | 1% of gross sales/week |
| Technology Fee | $25 per restaurant/week + 1% of all digital sales per restaurant/week |
| App Service Fee | 3% of all digital sales per restaurant/week |
| Customer Service Response Program | $50 - $200/month |
| Loyalty & Reward Programs | $115/month |
| OLO Online Ordering | $50/month + transaction fees |
ROI Potential: According to the brand’s 2026 FDD, the 166 Slim Chickens franchises operating for the entirety of FY 2025 reported the following gross sales:
| Quartile | Average | Median | High | Low |
| Top 25% (41) | $3,474,177 | $3,204,299 | $5,872,015 | $2,884,654 |
| 2nd 25% (42) | $2,541,233 | $2,502,053 | $2,870,795 | $2,266,047 |
| 3rd 25% (42) | $1,974,912 | $1,950,089 | $2,215,887 | $1,737,436 |
| Bottom 25% (41) | $1,418,412 | $1,506,057 | $1,715,138 | $534,738 |
| Total (166) | $2,351,047 | $2,240,967 | $5,872,015 | $534,738 |
Before a restaurant begins operations, the franchisor assists with the evaluation of proposed sites. Once a location is secured, the franchisor will provide detailed written specifics and standards for the building's construction, decoration, equipment layouts, signage and fixtures. Additionally, franchisees are provided with recommended procedures and forms for essential business functions such as accounting, cost control, inventory reporting and employee training.
The mandatory Slim Chickens Training Program consists of two integrated parts: franchisee ownership training and unit operation training. This program involves approximately 27 classroom hours and 306 hours of field experience at the franchisor's headquarters in Fayetteville, Arkansas (and at company-affiliated restaurants). For a new franchisee's first location, an on-site opening training team is provided for a minimum of 14 days around the opening (while 12 days of support are provided for the second and third locations).
The franchisor will provide continuing advisory assistance through bulletins and advice on merchandising, marketing and operational techniques. Franchisees are loaned the comprehensive brand standards manual. To maintain brand quality, the franchisor conducts quality, service and cleanliness inspections. Furthermore, the franchisor administers an advertising fund benefitting franchisees across the system.
Franchisees are required to implement a standardized technology stack anchored by the Brink Restaurant POS System for managing sales, cash, food and labor data. The brand also utilizes a smartphone app for customer ordering, delivery, loyalty programs and online ordering management. To protect sensitive data, franchisees must install managed hardware and software firewalls and comply with payment card industry (PCI) data security standards.
Slim Chickens does not specify any requirements for franchisees with regard to liquid assets or net worth. Franchisees are expected to be “experienced multi-unit restaurateurs with operational excellence” or have an experienced operational partner identified prior to Discovery Day.
Franchisees are required to be actively and personally involved in the operation of the restaurant. If the franchisee is a business entity, it must designate a "Controlling Owner" who has full authority to make binding business decisions. The restaurant must at all times be under the direct, on-premises supervision of the franchisee or a full-time "Supervisor” and any person in active charge of the restaurant must have successfully completed the franchisor's training program.
The franchisor does not provide any financing arrangements and does not guarantee the franchisee note, lease or any other financial obligation
“We have five stores open right now and, unbelievably, our lowest volume AUV is $3.3 million. I’ve been around a lot of brands for a lot of years. And we are so excited about the potential for Slim’s. It is such a fantastic brand with fantastic people. The management team, coming from a guy who’s built many companies, is bar none. They are some of the best professionals that I’ve ever seen. They’re doing innovative things on behalf of the franchisees. For me, it starts and stops with food quality. We looked at lots of brands and the first time I ate Slim Chickens, it met that standard. It is so incredibly important to have a franchisor that is really behind you and invested in your success. The Slim Chickens folks met that. You get an active franchisor. You get someone who is really paying attention to where you need assistance. They are doing whatever they can to help you be successful. Integrity based people, extraordinarily experienced.”
- Will Smith, Multi-Unit Operator — Colorado, Utah
Expected to grow in valuation by more than $200 billion by 2032, the worldwide fast-casual marketplace is primed for significant growth (with the American market alone expected to eclipse more than $84 billion in the next four years).
Such growth is driven in the United States by the millennial embrace of concepts like quality and health, as well as sustainability, convenience and customization.
The consumption of chicken in particular remains steady in America, with the U.S. responsible for the sale of more than 5 billion fried chicken servings annually.
The fast-casual chicken sector in America presents significant opportunities for growth and investment, driven by increasing demand for quality and convenience.
Slim Chickens distinguishes itself in the fast-casual franchised food realm thanks to quality chicken and a diverse array of dipping sauces. Slim Chickens also caters to market trends, offering made-to-order, hand-breaded chicken tenders, wings, sandwiches and Southern sides to its consumers as part of a diverse menu. Slim Chickens restaurants are also informed by a friendly, Southern-hospitality-influenced atmosphere.
In terms of competition, Slim Chickens faces several notable players in the early fast-casual market focused on chicken, including KFC, Raising Cane's, Popeyes and Chick-fil-A. However, Slim Chickens’ unique focus on atmosphere, convenience and a diverse menu set the chain apart in a crowded marketplace.
Embarking on a franchise journey with Slim Chickens involves a structured process designed to ensure mutual alignment and success. Here's a step-by-step outline from initial inquiry to final approval:
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