Slim Chickens has established more than 300 signed agreements across the globe, attaining a total of 1,100 units in development deals. The brand also celebrated its 200th store opening, conquered 15 new franchise territories with its development deals, and opened 50 new locations in 2022.
In addition to its rapid franchise growth, Slim Chickens boasts a 3.8 million AUV and has held a robust 44 per cent increase in comp stores sales growth over the last four years. The company has made history with more openings across the United States and globally than ever before.
Vice president of franchise development, Jackie Lobdell, says: “This year we have tallied up an impressive year of growth into new markets on a national and global scale more than ever before, and we could not be prouder. We are honored to have a dedicated team of skilled and knowledgeable franchisees who continue to extend our southern hospitality to new markets around the world.
“As the chicken craze continues to flourish, our leadership team, training methods, resources, and established franchisees will continue to maintain our positive growth trajectory. We remain resilient and relentless time and time again and look forward to further grabbing the attention of highly qualified restaurant operators who want to be a part of our story in communities around the world.”
In addition to the brand’s success in 2022, Slim Chickens has been recognized by several restaurant and franchise trade publications for its robust reputation in the industry. The franchise was named the Breakout Brand of the Year by QSR Magazine and was recognized as a Top Recession-Proof Business by Franchise Business Review. The brand was also named in the top percentile as one of the Fastest Growing Franchises by Entrepreneur and a Mover and Shaker by Fast Casual. Most recently, Franchise Times Magazine ranked the better-chicken brand at number five in its Fast and Serious List of smartest-growing brands, and the company was also acknowledged as a 2023 Top Franchise by Franchise Business Review.
Sam Rothschild, COO of Slim Chickens, says: “We have spent a lot of time and investment in the people that enable us to do this. We understand what it takes to support our franchisees and we have the systems and processes in place to do so. We are honored to have the quality of franchisees that we have today but are eager to continue the momentum.
“There is still a lot of opportunity in the U.S. to grow Slim Chickens and we have started to open in Michigan, Wisconsin, the Carolinas, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Not only are we rapidly expanding domestically but we are thrilled to continue to enter new markets abroad as well.”
As the leading better-chicken brand continues its momentum and upward trajectory, it’s looking to extend its southern hospitality and fuel the demand for its hand-breaded cooked-to-order tenders across the United States, as well in countries such as France, Spain, Germany, Poland, Turkey, and the GCC.
