Southern chicken chain’s Charlotte debut is delayed. But here’s where it opens next.

As a Southern chicken chain’s North Carolina debut is delayed until next year, a company officials shared where four more restaurants will open in the Carolinas.

Arkansas-based Slim Chickens planned to open its first N.C. restaurant next month in Charlotte, home base of Bojangles and where competition is intensifying among chicken chains.

However, the University restaurant at 5535 Prosperity Ridge Rd. will now open in late January or early February, Slim Chickens franchise co-owner Jonathan Crumpler said. He said the delay is indirectly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as staff shortages and supply chain issues.

“There’s definitely challenges in the marketplace, but they’re not unique to us,” he said.

The first opening isn’t holding back Slim Chickens expansion plans in the Carolinas, however.

Four more stores, Crumpler said, are expected to open in the first half of next year:

▪ 7550 Garners Ferry Rd. in Columbia, S.C., will open in late spring. Construction should begin the end of this year.

▪ 5132 Old Charlotte Hwy. at Shoppes at Hanfield Village in Indian Trail will open near Memorial Day.

▪ 948 Concord Pkwy. N. in Concord will open near Memorial Day.

▪ A Pembroke restaurant will open in late summer.

Break Bread Ventures, owned by Crumpler, Rob Bryan and Josh Frankel, plans to open at least 30 Slim Chickens in the Carolinas and Virginia, the Observer previously reported. As many as 15 stores will open in the Charlotte market.

Hiring for the first store is expected to start later this year for up to 90 employees, Crumpler said.

More about Slim Chickens

Slim Chickens, a fast-casual chain founded 18 years ago, is known for its cooked-to-order food and 17 house-made dipping sauces. The menu includes chicken tenders, salads, sandwiches, chicken and waffles, and chicken wings.

Each restaurant is about 2,400 square feet and includes an-all season 400-square-foot covered front porch dining area with about a half-dozen televisions, Crumpler said. Each location also will have drive-thru and delivery through a third-party available.

Crumpler said a comprehensive analysis looking at demographics, day-time populations, schools and colleges and traffic helps determine site selection.

Slim Chickens has more than 125 locations in the U.S., Kuwait and the United Kingdom, according to the company, and about 500 restaurants in development.

‘Fierce’ chicken competition

Slim Chickens isn’t the only chicken chain vying for customers in the Charlotte market.

Last week, Chick-fil-A opened a restaurant southeast of Charlotte in Mint Hill, just months after opening a store in Belmont, west of Charlotte. Chick-fil-A also reopened a remodeled store last month with drive-thru only store at 1540 E. Woodlawn Rd.

Last month, Los Angeles-based Dave’s Hot Chicken said it plans to open 12 franchise locations in Charlotte.

The news comes on the heels of Bojangles’ plans to open nearly 90 stores, with debuts in Ohio, New York and Texas, and returning to Orlando, Fla. More stores also are planned in Georgia, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

Slim Chickens’ franchise owners called the competition “fierce,” admitting there’s a lot of competition, but say there’s still plenty of room as demand continues to grow.

Slim Chickens isn’t a household name in the Carolinas yet, “but it will be,” Frankel said in an interview with the Observer.

This story was originally published October 28, 2021 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Southern chicken chain’s Charlotte debut is delayed. But here’s where it opens next.."