Popular southern chicken chain to open third Charlotte store as part of rapid expansion
A popular chicken chain is expanding in the Charlotte region again.
Slim Chickens will open on Monday, Oct. 16, at 948 Concord Pkwy. N. in Concord, just over a mile from Carolina Mall. This will be the Arkansas-based fast-casual chain’s third Charlotte area location to open in 18 months.
Along with its chicken sandwich, Slim Chickens’ menu includes wings and tenders, wraps and salads, plus desserts served in a jar. Sides include fried pickles, fried okra and macaroni and cheese.
Slim Chickens joins a saturated fast-food chicken sandwich market that includes hometown Bojangles, Chick-fil-A and Dave’s Hot Chicken.
Slim Chickens stores typically hire about 120 full- and part-time employees.
More Slim Chickens
Slim Chickens has rapidly been expanding since making its debut in the Carolinas in March 2022 at 5535 Prosperity Ridge Road in University City.
In July, Slim Chickens opened a store in Monroe following a March opening in in Fort Mill, S.C.
The openings are part of a larger plan to launch as many as 15 stores in the Charlotte market, Slim Chickens franchise owner Jonathan Crumpler previously told The Charlotte Observer.
The rapid expansion also includes stores throughout the Carolinas.
The Slim Chickens in Concord will be the fifth in North Carolina. Other locations are in Pembroke and Jacksonville. Two other locations are planned in Southern Pines and High Point.
The first South Carolina store opened in August 2022 in Columbia. Two more restaurants are planned in Columbia, as well as Moncks Corner.
About Slim Chickens
Slim Chickens opened in Fayetteville, Arkansas, 20 years ago. There are 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, Malaysia and throughout Europe.
Charlotte chicken competition
Charlotte’s chicken competition shows no signs of slowing down.
In September, the popular Southern chicken chain Chick-fil-A said it will invest $58.3 million to open a distribution center that will create more than 110 jobs in Kannapolis. The facility is expected to open in the third quarter of next year.
The Atlanta-based chain also is opening a store at 8428 University City Blvd. after the demolition of a former Hardee’s that started this summer. Chick-fil-A also recently opened drive-thru-only stores in Belmont and Mint Hill.
In February, Los Angeles-based chicken chain Dave’s Hot Chicken opened its second Charlotte store at 8932 J.M. Keynes Drive in University City. The chain known for Nashville-style chicken opened its first local store in September 2022 at 1300 The Plaza in Plaza Midwood.
And the iconic chicken-and-biscuit chain Bojangles has been expanding nationally, most recently debuting in Texas. Bojangles also plans drive-thru-only stores at 3809 E. Independence Blvd. and 300 West Ave.
This story was originally published September 28, 2023 at 8:58 AM.