5 minute read
Slim Chickens
THE BETTER-CHICKEN BRAND YOU NEED IN YOUR PORTFOlIO
Slim Chickens has been heating up as a better-chicken brand since 2003. We’ve stood by our mission for nearly 20 years: to make the best hand-breaded chicken tenders using only the freshest ingredients, served in a friendly atmosphere where people can relax and feel at home.
To put it simply, we provide the highest quality food in the best way possible — and we have the results to prove it. We began franchising in 2014 and have been skyrocketing ever since. Our presence has continued to explode, and we know that comes down to two simple things: honoring our mission and partnering with amazing franchisees! right now within the QSR world, and we’re proud of the impact we’ve made within the industry. The time has never been better to take advantage of the chicken market — just ask Cleveland-based Slim Chickens franchisee David Giesen.
“Slim Chickens is a uniquely cool brand with so much growth potential, and it provides me with the opportunity to tap into the growing chicken tender market,” said Giesen. “I knew this was the right fit for me — and now was the right time. Slim Chickens has maintained or increased its momentum in recent months and the brand’s sales are up year-over-year. I can’t recommend this brand enough!”
No arguments there — Slim Chickens is an excellent entry point into the chicken tender market, but it goes beyond the tenders too. We differentiate ourselves by offering amazing flavors across the board without limiting our menu offerings. Every chicken restaurant is going to have their “bread and butter” chicken dish, whether that be tenders, a crispy chicken sandwich or wings. Most will focus on that one entrée with a couple different
side options, and while we’re endlessly proud of our chicken tenders, we have a broad menu full of other choices for our customers to enjoy. From chicken tenders, to chicken and waffles, salads, sweets (our jarred desserts are to die for!), and our 17 house-made dipping sauces, our menu has played a big role in getting us to where we are today. When we opened our first Slim Chickens it was with the understanding that food comes first — we knew if we got that right, everything else would follow. And follow it did!
A few years back we set a goal to open 600 locations in the next ten years. Since then, Slim Chickens has opened over 150 locations with plans to open more this year and has approved over 60 sites for 2022. On top of that, we’ve accumulated more than 750 signed development deals. 350 of those agreements were completed this year alone, proving that even with the challenges the quick service industry has faced in recent years, Slim Chickens has the staying power to not just get through the challenges, but to thrive despite them. The writing was on the wall for a lot of restaurants in 2020, but we adapted to suit our evolving customers’ needs, and look where we are today! In addition to our food and ability to adapt quickly when faced with challenges, our franchisees help propel us to success thanks to their experience as multi-unit operators and dedication to the brand. In turn, we support with the best service in the industry, from training and operations,
to construction and development, to opening day and beyond. It’s this winning combination of excellent food, superstar franchisees and unwavering corporate support that has helped us advance our brand and find ourselves fielding countless awards and accolades, including best chicken franchise to buy, top 100 movers and shakers, 40 smartest growing brands for 2021, and more. Even without the awards, our numbers speak from themselves. Slim Chickens has an AUV of $3.4 million*, along with a surplus of other remarkable growth statistics. While most brands have struggled to adapt and excel within the landscape of the pandemic, Slim Chickens saw more than 35% systemwide revenue growth, about 14% positive comp store sales growth and grew it’s franchise by an impressive 30%. Our 2021 numbers are just as outstanding, with double digit comp store sales growth just like last year. In the coming year, we plan to keep the growth going as we charge on toward our goal of opening 600 stores. We have no doubt we’ll reach our goal with our more than 750 units already in development, strong unit economics, a stellar executive team and a strong (and growing!) base of incredible franchisees.
Our brand is hot and selling out fast — whole states like Arizona and Colorado have already been snapped up! — but we have plenty of territories we’re still looking to expand our brand in, including Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and more. If you’re interested, don’t hesitate to reach out. We never know when another market might sell out!
Thomas Barnett and Shane Jacobs of Barnett Management, Inc. are just one example of knowing a good thing when they see it — the pair recently bought out the entire state of Arizona and are excited to bring our delicious chicken to the Grand Canyon state.
“We’ve been a part of the QSR industry for decades, and this opportunity to bring Slim Chickens to Arizona through larger pathways and join the fast casual industry is one Tom and I were eager to take advantage of,” said Jacobs. “People love Slim Chickens, and will be excited to know that the brand is coming to give them the dose of southern hospitality and delicious cook-to-order food they have come to crave!”
Slim Chickens’ future is bright — come join us! We’re the better-chicken brand with quite a bit to cluck about.
*AUV for group #1 franchised restaurants in the 2021 FDD
About the Author: Jackie Lobdell is the vice president of franchise development for Slim Chickens, a U.S.-based better-chicken concept. visit slimchickensfranchise.com
