Fast-Casual Franchise Brand Meets Growing Demand in the Fort Worth market with Weatherford Opening
Slim Chickens, a leader in the “better chicken” segment of fast-casual restaurants, will be bringing its fresh chicken and unrivaled flavor to Weatherford – continuing the brand’s Fort Worth expansion. The Tarrant and Parker County growth is being led by franchise veterans Flint Harris and Max Moore.
The new restaurant is located at 1802 S. Main St. and will open on November 7th. This is the fourth of seven locations to open in the Greater Fort Worth area with an additional unit in Mansfield already under construction.
“Slim Chickens explosive growth in the Fort Worth market is a testament to our high quality, fresh food options,” said Sam Rothschild, COO of Slim Chickens. “Flint and Max have been our partners in the area since the beginning of the area development and we’re excited to continue to work with them to expand in to new communities.”
Prior to expanding the Slim Chickens brand, Harris, a Fort Worth native, received his master’s degree in sports management and a doctorate in adult education from the University of Arkansas, which led him to a position with Razorback’s Athletics. He later moved to Waco, Texas and joined Baylor University as the Director of Student Athletic Services, working with the football and tennis teams to ensure student athletes stayed on track to earn their degrees. In 2011, Harris moved back to Fayetteville, Ark. and purchased dessert franchise Bliss Cupcake Cafe, growing the brand from one to five stores. Harris invited his lifelong friend Max Moore, who has a business background in hotel and restaurant franchising, to join him in 2012.
The business duo ended up dining at Slim Chickens frequently because of the restaurant’s proximity to their cupcake shops. After speaking to the owners, the two wanted to expand with the young “better chicken” brand and signed a five-unit agreement. Combining their experience in management, food and franchising, they opened their first Slim Chickens in Keller, TX in 2015. The newest restaurant in Weatherford joins Harris and Moore’s three thriving units in North Richland Hills, Ft. Worth and Hurst. After finding success with their first few stores, the group signed on for additional two-units.
“As we continue to grow the Slim Chickens brand in North Texas, we’re thrilled to enter a new county with this Weatherford opening,” said Harris. “Slim Chickens offers the fresh, handcrafted food that the community craves and we’re excited to be able to provide that.”
By focusing on high quality, fresh chicken, the brand has developed a niche in its sector of the restaurant industry for product quality that can’t be found anywhere else. With fresh ingredients and minimal freezer space used in every restaurant, Slim Chickens honors a commitment to homemade recipes and strong supplier partnerships, ensuring guests can feel good about the food they eat. The down-home Southern brand offers hand-breaded or grilled chicken tenders and wings paired with a choice of 10 handmade dipping sauces or nine wing sauces for exceptional flavor that has earned admiration from both customers and critics. Earlier this year, the brand launched a Cayenne Ranch Chicken Sandwich, which complements the brand’s chicken tenders and wings and has already exceeded expectations in both sales and guest satisfaction. Slim Chickens also offers fresh salads, wraps and chicken and waffles. To offset the savory side of the menu, rotating desserts served in Mason jars are also available.
The brand has seen great success in the last several years, expanding from Arkansas into Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska, Louisiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Kansas and Arizona, and emerging as a national player to establish fast-casual dining’s “better chicken” segment.
For franchising information, please visit http://slimchickensfranchise.com.
Slim Chickens opened in 2003 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with a focus on culinary excellence in a fast-casual setting. Guests can always expect fresh chicken tenders and wings cooked to order and served with handmade dipping sauces made from scratch. With more than 40 locations today and a fanatical following in 10 states, the eternally cool brand is an emerging national franchise leading the “better chicken” segment and intends to grow nationwide to a footprint of 600 restaurants over the next decade. Southern hospitality is not just for the South; everyone, everywhere can appreciate honest food and socializing with friends and neighbors. To learn more about the brand, visit slimchickens.com.
