Franchising

Same-store sales, growth up at Slim Chickens amid pandemic

Provided

June 4, 2020

Since February 2020, Slim Chickens, based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, has inked six multi-unit agreements representing 38 franchise restaurants. The deals, all signed with experienced franchisees and groups, are set to bring Slim Chickens restaurants to key markets across the country, including several cities throughout Alabama and southern Tennessee; Dallas, Texas; Cleveland, Ohio; and cities throughout Montana, according to a company press release.  With the agreements in place, the chain's development pipeline sits at more than 400 units, well on the brand's way to meeting its goal of 600 restaurants over the next 10 years. 

"Experienced restaurant owners are confident in the Slim Chickens brand because of the way our leadership and support teams have responded during the past several weeks and months," Jackie Lobdell, executive director of Franchise Development said in the release. "Through strong leadership and an insatiable demand for our product, we've seen same-store sales actually go up in April and May. The fact that our sales are growing and we're able to sign significant franchise development deals right now speaks to the strength of our concept, franchise system and corporate team."

Building on the momentum of the franchise agreements signed in recent weeks, Slim Chickens has opened four restaurants since the start of the year and has another 23 restaurants slated to open through December. New locations are set to open in markets across the country, iin Florida, Colorado, New Jersey, Texas and Utah. Additionally, five restaurants will open in the United Kingdom before the end of the year.  

As the brand expands, it is awarding franchise opportunities to qualified multi-unit groups, according to the release.

Slim Chickens opened in 2003 and now has 100 locations and more than 350 restaurants in development, the release said.