Slim Chickens Launches New Restaurant Development Program to Fuel Multi-Unit Growth

Development Fund Program Invests Up to $200,000 Per Restaurant to Support New and Existing Franchisees Through 2028

August 17, 2026 // Franchising.com // FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Slim Chickens is putting additional investments behind the operators driving its next stage of growth. In August 2026, the better-chicken brand launched a new Development Fund Program that provides qualifying new and existing franchisees with cash investment payments of up to $200,000 per restaurant as they add locations and expand their presence in key markets.

The program is built to help franchisees put more Slim Chickens restaurants on the map. By investing alongside operators developing exclusively in-line and drive-thru endcap restaurants, Slim Chickens is helping franchisees add assets to their portfolios, build greater market density and capture more opportunity within the communities they serve.

Under the Development Fund Program:

• First Qualifying Restaurant: New and existing franchisees who open their first qualifying drive-thru endcap or in-line restaurant on or before Dec. 15, 2027, are eligible for a $150,000 Cash Investment Payment within 30 days after opening. Those who open their first qualifying restaurant between Dec. 16, 2027, and Dec. 31, 2028, are eligible for a $125,000 Cash Investment Payment within 30 days after opening.
• Second and Subsequent Restaurants: Franchisees who open their second or any subsequent qualifying restaurant on or before Dec. 15, 2028, are eligible for a $200,000 Cash Investment Payment per restaurant, with no limit on the number of eligible openings.

"We have franchisees who believe in this brand and are ready to keep growing, and we want to put meaningful resources behind that growth," said Matt Green, Chief Development Officer of Slim Chickens. "By investing in formats that give operators greater flexibility in how and where they develop, we can help our existing franchisees build density and expand their portfolios while creating new opportunities to bring more operators into the Slim Chickens system. We believe this approach will ultimately expand our reach and strengthen our franchisee family as we grow."

The Development Fund Program adds another layer to the infrastructure Slim Chickens has built around multi-unit growth. Franchisees work alongside dedicated teams spanning real estate, construction, operations, training, marketing and finance as they move from site selection through opening and ongoing operations. The addition of direct development funding gives qualified operators another resource to move their development pipelines forward and establish a stronger presence within their markets.

Founded in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2003, Slim Chickens has grown from a single neighborhood restaurant into a global brand with nearly 300 locations open. The brand is currently operating in 32 U.S. states and internationally in the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Turkey, and the Philippines, while remaining focused on awarding opportunities to qualified, experienced multi-unit operators in the Midwest, Northeast, Upper Southeast, and West Coast Regions.

For more information on the Slim Chickens franchise opportunity, visit slimchickensfranchise.com. Connect with Slim Chickens on LinkedIn by visiting https://www.linkedin.com/company/slim-chickens. 

For more information on Slim Chickens, visit slimchickens.com.

About Slim Chickens

Slim Chickens, a leading fast casual franchise that features dine-in and drive-through in the better-chicken segment, opened in 2003 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Offering high-quality food with a focus on fresh, delicious ingredients, the brand prides itself on its Southern flair and commitment to hospitality, all in a fast-casual setting. Food is cooked to order, and the differentiated menu features chicken tenders, fresh salads, sandwiches, chicken and waffles, chicken wings, and unique side items, alongside 14 house dipping sauces.

SOURCE Slim Chickens

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