The Southern Fast-Casual Franchise Brings Slims Chickens to Fort Smith
Slim Chickens, a leader in the “better chicken” segment of fast-casual restaurants, will be expanding its fresh chicken and unrivaled flavor in its home state of Arkansas on May 9th. The corporate-owned restaurant, located at 7501 Phoenix Ave in Fort Smith, will be the first in the city. And, to pay homage to Fort Smith’s history, Slim Chickens will be painting a mural of the famous Garrison Avenue Bridge on one of the restaurants interior walls.
“We’re so excited to bring the first Slim Chickens to Fort Smith and root ourselves in the community. Slim Chickens was born in Arkansas, and we’ve seen a consistent demand for new locations as more people fall in love with our brand,” said Sam Rothschild, COO of Slim Chickens. “Slim Chickens currently operates 12 restaurants in Arkansas, but we continue to see so much opportunity here in our home state, specifically in Fort Smith.”
The corporate team, which now operates 18 locations, is building upon its success and using these locations as a jumping off point to a larger corporate growth strategy throughout the country.
“We’re looking to continue opening corporate restaurants, along with franchised locations, throughout the country to carry on our expansion,” said Rothschild. “This brand’s offerings appeal to so many consumers, and we’re excited to continue spreading our fresh, southern flavor to fans in Fort Smith, the state of Arkansas and across the country.”
Slim Chickens has seen great growth in the last several years, expanding from its home state of Arkansas into Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Tennessee and Illinois and emerging as a national player to establish fast-casual dining’s “better chicken” segment.
“Our top-of-the-line product offerings have propelled us into a league of our own, with no competitors doing quite what we are doing,” said Rothschild. “Our freshly made southern dishes and homemade recipes make loyal customers feel good about the food they are eating, and we’re really proud to be able to share the brand experience with a new community.”
Focusing on 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 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 diners hand-breaded or grilled chicken tenders and wings paired with a choice of eight handmade dipping sauces or seven wing sauces for exceptional flavor that has earned admiration from both customers and critics. If guests want to switch it up, 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.
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 30 locations today and a fanatical following in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, and Nebraska, 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.
