Thu 25th Jan 2018 - Boparan to franchise Slim Chickens in the UK Boparan to franchise Slim Chickens in the UK: Boparan Restaurant Group, which owns Giraffe, Ed’s Easy Diner and Harry Ramsden’s, has partnered with Slim Chickens USA to bring the fast-casual, fresh chicken brand to the UK market. Slim Chickens co-founders Tom Gordon and Greg Smart launched the brand 15 years ago. From humble beginnings in Tom’s garage, the duo quickly secured their first official locations, opening in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2003. Since then, the team has launched over 70 locations across the US, with ambitious growth plans to open a further 600 stateside restaurants. Slim Chickens is teaming up with Boparan Restaurant Group to replicate its USA success and bring its own brand of southern hospitality to a UK audience. The UK menu will feature Slim Chicken’s signature hand-breaded Chicken Tenders, as well as fresh chicken sandwiches and marinated wings. Everything is cooked to order and served with the Slim Chickens homemade sauces – just like you’d get them in the south. Tom Gordon, co-founder and chief executive officer of Slim Chickens said: “We can’t wait to bring a little bit of Southern USA Hospitality and our fresh quality chicken brand to the UK. The Boparan Restaurant group was a logical choice when it came to choosing a franchise partner due to their strong operating capability, and their years of experience in the restaurant industry. We’re confident this will be the start of a prosperous relationship for years to come.” Tom Crowley, chief executive of Boparan Restaurant Group added: “We are very excited about bringing Slim Chickens to the UK. The founders Tom and Greg have created an incredible concept. There is something totally unique about Slims freshly cooked chicken and house sauces, its modern blues music and its awesome hospitality. We believe there is opportunity in the UK for a “better chicken” brand like Slims and we are very excited by what we could achieve together. Working in partnership with our new friends at Slims, we have firm plans to open restaurants around the UK over the coming months and years securing Slim Chickens’ as a renowned market leader in the sector. Our first site opening will be opening in London in spring this year.”