QSR September 2022

SPONSORED BY SL IM CHI CKENS

SlimChickensHasOver 900Units on the Way—andCounting QSR magazine’s Breakout Brand of 2021, the fan favorite is showing no signs of slowing down. BYCHARLIE POGACAR

WHENSLIMCHICKENS BEGANFRANCHISING about 10 years ago, it had a lofty goal: reach 600 units by 2025. Turns out that may have been a conservative number as the brand nowhas over 180 units open, withmore than 900 on the way. With its top group of franchise restaurants posting awhop ping $3.86 million AUV—a 13.6 percent increase year-over year—it’s apparent that the brand is built for the long haul. Jackie Lobdell, vice president of franchise development, says the successful business model is driven by a dynamic team that is unlike any she’s ever been around. “The culture that we’ve built permeates throughout every thing we do,” Lobdell says. “If you’re part of the team, you have to be passionate about this brand. And I really think that’s contagious. It’s such a positive culture that starts in the restaurants and goes all the way up to the executive level.” Founded in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 2003, SlimChickens has been selling high-quality tenders and wings at reason able prices ever since. In recent years, innovation has added menu offerings like Chicken andWaffles, a lineup of premium chicken sandwiches, salads, and LTOs like Mac and Cheese bowls. The brand also boasts about its 17 proprietary dip ping sauces that help customize its product to a diners’ taste. The industry is starting to take note of what Lobdell refers to as the leading chicken concept in the franchise space. In

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to say about Slim Chickens. “From the very beginning Slim Chickens has been very franchisee-friendly in everyway you could possibly imagine,” says Mike Sartwell, owner of five Slim Chickens locations in Montana and North Dakota. “The team was there to help with every aspect—from site

fact, QSR magazine named Slim Chickens its “Breakout Brand of 2021.” Slim Chickens was also

Top-Quartile AUV: $3.86 million* Locations Opened: 180+ Units in Pipeline: 900+ Year-Over Year Sales Growth: 35%

recognized as a Top Recession-Proof Business by Franchise Business Review and one of the Fastest-Growing Franchises by Entrepreneur magazine. “There has been so much hard work, pas sion, and integrity we’ve put into the brand,” Lobdell says. “Getting recognized with awards is confirmation of that. Listen, it’s great to win awards, but what our franchisees say about Slim Chickens is more important to us.” And franchisees have some great things

selection, marketing, training, operations—everything. The brand is amazing.” With over four decades of experience in the industry, Sartwell is the type of franchisee that Lobdell and her team are looking for as they continue to grow the Slim Chickens brand. He’s what Lobdell calls a “stone-cold opera tor,” a term that refers to a level of business acumen required to ink a multi unit deal with the brand. Because make no mistake: SlimChickens isn’t part nering with just anybody. “We have a really rigorous vetting process,” Lobdell says. “We only sign multi-unit deals with really high-caliber franchisees. That’s what makes this restaurant brand so successful, and it’s what keeps up that culture of the brand.” RF

For more on franchising with Slim Chickens, visit slimchickensfranchise.com .

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SEPTEMBER 2022 EDITION SPONSORED SECTION