Slim Chickens chain expands again in Charlotte region. It’s part of a big growth move
A popular chicken chain is expanding again in the Charlotte area.
Slim Chickens will open on Monday, July 24, at 5118 Old Charlotte Hwy. in Monroe. The Shoppes at Hanfield Village center is across from Sun Valley in Indian Trail.
The fast-casual Arkansas-based company debuted in the Carolinas in March 2022 at 5535 Prosperity Ridge Road in University City in Charlotte. Slim Chickens has since opened stores in Fort Mill, S.C., in March and Columbia in August 2022.
Slim Chickens is part of a heated fast-food chicken sandwich competition around Charlotte that includes the iconic hometown Bojangles chicken-and-biscuit chain, plus expansions by Chick-fil-A and Dave’s Hot Chicken.
While Slim Chickens is known for its chicken sandwich, franchise co-owner Jonathan Crumpler said the tenders are the signature menu offering, coupled with wings, wraps and salads.
The Monroe store will hire up to 120 full- and part-time employees.
Slim Chickens expanding
The Monroe store is part of a broader plan to open at least 15 more Slim Chickens restaurants in the Charlotte market, in addition to expansions elsewhere in the Carolinas and Virginia.
Slim Chickens will open at 948 Concord Pkwy. N. in Concord in late summer, Crumpler said.
Another store expected to open in late summer is in Pembroke. Two more stores are planned in Columbia, and they are expected to open early next year, Crumpler said. And two other locations planned are in Southern Pines and High Point.
“We’re constantly building and nursing the pipeline with a goal to open about five a year,” said Crumpler, owner of Break Bread Ventures. Charlotte is a key focus market where franchise owners Break Bread Ventures is based.
Crumpler said he’s also looking at locations in the Lake Norman area, south Charlotte and York County, S.C.
About Slim Chickens
Slim Chickens opened 20 years ago in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and now has more than 200 locations in the U.S., plus Kuwait and the United Kingdom, according to the company.
There are over 500 restaurants in development worldwide, including in Istanbul and Malaysia, as well as throughout Europe, said Jackie Lobdell, vice president of franchise development.
“We play blues and Southern rock, our menu is focused on chicken but we have interesting sides and desserts,” Lobdell said “We’re not the typical chicken restaurant.”
Charlotte chicken restaurant competition
Other chicken chains are flocking to Charlotte, too.
LA-based chicken chain Dave’s Hot Chicken opened its second Charlotte store in February at 8932 J.M. Keynes Drive in University City. The chain known for Nashville-style chicken opened its first local store in September at 1300 The Plaza in Plaza Midwood.
Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A also is growing in the Charlotte region, with a new store planned at 8428 University City Blvd., and drive-thru-only stores in Mint Hill and 925 South Point Road in Belmont.
And Bojangles has been expanding nationally, most recently debuting in Texas and opening its 800th restaurant in Monroe, Louisiana. Bojangles also plans drive-thru-only stores at 3809 E. Independence Blvd. and 300 West Ave.
This story was originally published July 12, 2023 at 11:30 AM with the headline "Slim Chickens chain expands again in Charlotte region. It’s part of a big growth move."