Latest news with #SlimChickens
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
National fast-food chicken chain faces horrible accusations
Fried chicken has become one of the most crowded spaces in fast food. Many chains claim to offer homemade or hand-breaded chicken, but some that say they do may not be telling the entire truth. The challenge is that there's no real legal standard for words like homemade, hand-breaded, and fresh-made. Many chains, for example, will hand-bread their chicken and par-cook it to finish later. Others will fully cook the chicken, then re-dunk it in oil in order to heat it up. Related: Taco Bell menu adds a popular McDonald's favorite In both cases, the product is arguably homemade or hand-breaded, but it's also been sitting around all day (hopefully under proper conditions). Many restaurants make claims that are legally defensible, but also a little dubious. There is a lot of gray area around words, and while there may be no intent to mislead, there's a lot of room for interpretation. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter A new lawsuit, however, suggests that one chicken chain with locations all across the country has been stretching the truth. The claims in the lawsuit are very bold, and the company involved fully intends to fight them. Image source: Getty Images While Slim Chickens may not be the top brand in fast-food fried chicken, it has locations in over 30 states. The company explains the brand to potential franchisees on its website. "Our culture is the soul of our brand. Slims is known for having the right combination of craveable food, a cool vibe, and that extra touch of Southern hospitality. We've capitalized on that combination by developing a culture whose foundation is making a difference in our customers' lives and the communities we've grown into. And now, we're looking for the right people to help us bring our tradition of quality and giving to your market," the company shared on its franchise page. "Slim Chickens is more than a quick meal. Guests can always expect buttermilk marinated, hand-breaded chicken tenders and wings cooked to order and served with house dipping sauces," it added. More Food and Retail: Another healthy fast-food chain files Chapter 11 bankruptcyCostco quietly pulls popular product, upsets fansStarbucks brings back fan-favorite menu item after 2-year hiatus The chain has more than 245 locations and a fanatical following in the U.S. and internationally. It's a self-described "eternally cool brand" that "is an emerging national franchise leading the 'better chicken' segment and intends to grow nationally with a footprint of 1,000 restaurants over the next decade," it posted. The lawsuit alleges, however, that many of the company's claims are not true. The 140-page lawsuit, filed by R-Solution Companies, alleges that Slim Chickens has inflated data and is falsely advertising "fresh" and "house-made" food. "The company accuses Slim Chickens of deception, stating that the company 'advertises certain dipping sauces as house-made,' when they are predominantly manufactured and distributed by third-party suppliers. Similarly, Defendant promotes its food products as 'fresh,' despite the fact that the chicken supplied to franchises under its preferred vendor arrangements arrives frozen," KNWA reported. In addition, the lawsuit claims that most of the chain's sauces (15 out of 17) are not made fresh. Instead, they are produced by a third-party vendor and shipped prepackaged to all franchise locations with no on-site preparation. The lawsuit also charges that using frozen chicken actually leads to "higher product costs and quality issues, including smaller tenders, increased customer complaints, and more unusable waste." Related: Popular pizza chain closes multiple locations unexpectedly Slim Chickens refutes the allegations in the lawsuit. "The company states it has invested more than $15 million in Slim Chickens and has helped expand the company to other states, including Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky. However, the lawsuit states that the amount of money wouldn't have been invested if the company had been truthful," according to KNWA. The lawsuit also makes the claim that Slim Chickens claims "35% Year-Over-Year Sales Growth," while actual system-wide average gross sales declined from 2023 to 2024. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
American burger chain to open second UK restaurant in Wales
American burger chain to open second UK restaurant in Wales Carl's Jr chose Cardiff for its first UK location and its second will also be on Welsh shores The chain is known for its famous charbroiled burgers (Image: Carl's Jr ) Months after opening its first UK branch in Wales, Carl's Jr is gearing up to launch a new location. Signs of Carl's Jr arrival have been spotted by eagle-eyed locals on Swansea's Wind Street where the popular burger chain will be opening, taking one half of the former TGI Friday's restaurant. With its signature American-style menu featuring favourites like the six dollar burger, hand-scooped milkshakes and charbroiled turkey burgers, Carl's Jr will be sharing the building with Slim Chickens, another American chain which recently confirmed its opening date for Thursday, June 26. Founded in California in 1941 by Carl and Margaret Karcher, Carl's Jr is expanding across the UK and Ireland through a franchise agreement with Boporan Restaurant Grou, which also operates Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Carluccio's and Slim Chickens. The branch promises to bring a slice of California to the streets of Swansea (Image: Carl's Jr ) For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here Its first UK branch opened in Cardiff's St David's Centre earlier this year and the Swansea restaurant is expected to follow in early September, with a opening date to be confirmed. Article continues below After its opening WalesOnline tried the new Cardiff restaurant and you can read our verdict here. Carl's Jr fans have taken to social media to express their excitement about the US chain's growing presence in the UK, with some claiming it's "better than McDonald's." One user on X commented: "Carls JR is easily better than McDonald's Burger King and probably most of the other American fast food chains you have currently in the United Kingdom." Another added: "Carls jr is better than Mcdonalds, el diablo is tasty as f**k". Alongside the Swansea location, the Sun has reported that plans are well underway for five more Carl's Jr restaurants to open across the UK before the end of 2025. These new sites will reportedly be located in Southampton, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester and York. Article continues below Ahead of the opening, a spokesperson from Carls Jr, said: "We are extremely excited and love the amount of Love the Welsh people are showing Carls Jr!" Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice
Wales Online
10-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
This is when Swansea's Slim Chickens is opening
This is when Swansea's Slim Chickens is opening The chain has also confirmed that the first 30 customers through the door will receive a free portion of its famous chicken tenders Slim Chickens is landing in the city with a brand new restaurant opening in Wind Street (Image: Slim Chickens ) Popular chicken chain restaurant Slim Chickens is set to open one of its newest branches in Swansea - with a date now confirmed. Slim Chickens, the American fast-casual restaurant known for its buttermilk-marinated chicken tenders, bold flavours, and Southern hospitality, is landing in the city with a brand-new restaurant opening in Wind Street on Thursday, June 26. The chain is said to be "better than KFC and Popeyes" and promises to deliver "cooked-to-order chicken and authentic Southern hospitality at its finest". The Southern-inspired restaurant first opened in Arkansas in 2003. This year, the chain will be opening a new restaurant in Swansea, together with other locations in London's Leicester Square, Wembley and Edgeware Road, along with the west and east Midlands, Reading and Newcastle. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here . And to mark the launch day, Slim Chickens has confirmed that the first 30 customers through the door will receive a free portion of their famous chicken tenders. Article continues below In addition to this, 5,000 golden tickets will be handed out, with guaranteed prizes ranging from free food and discounts to the ultimate prize – Free Slim Chickens for a Year. To mark the launch day, Slim Chickens has confirmed that the first 30 customers through the door will receive a free portion of its famous chicken tenders (Image: Slim Chickens ) Guests will also be in with a chance of grabbing exclusive Slim Chickens merchandise, such as hoodies, which will be available in limited quantities throughout the day. The new restaurant will seat over 50 guests, and aims to offer a relaxed setting, with "feel-good" music and live sports on screen. Orders will also be available via Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat, and the opening will bring 35 new jobs to the city. It comes only a few months after chicken hotspot, Wingstop, also arrived in Wind Street, where long queues of customers waited to enter the restaurant on launch day. Article continues below Ahead of its launch day, Ben Blore, head of operations at Slim Chickens, said: "Swansea's a brilliant city – with its mix of students, beach lovers, and buzzing nightlife, it's the perfect place for Slim Chickens. "We're excited to bring our Southern-inspired menu to Wind Street and become part of this amazing community."
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Watch: Shannon Smith samples chicken restaurants across the Triad
PIEDMONT TRIAD, N.C. (WGHP) — Chicken chains are flocking to the Piedmont Triad. Four new fast-casual franchises opened this spring in Guilford County alone, and more are under construction. People have packed Dave's Hot Chicken on Battleground Avenue in Greensboro. The Los Angeles-based chain serves huge tenders and sliders. Customers can choose their heat level, starting at no spice and running all the way up to reaper, which comes with a disclaimer. Just across the street on Lawndale Drive, A Hangry Joe's Hot Chicken is under construction, and one is already open on North Main Street in High Point. Their menu is inspired by Nashville's Famous Hot Chicken. Again, you can customize your spice levels. The hottest one requires you to sign a waiver to try it. Also in High Point, off NC 68/Eastchester Drive, Slim Chickens opened, serving a variety of all-natural fresh chicken tenders and wings with a selection of sauces and seasonings. Finally, a chicken restaurant with international flair. Pollo Compero is a chain started Guatemalan in 1971. They specialize in fried chicken, empanadas and other Latin-inspired side dishes. FOX8 FOODIE Shannon Smith took a tasting tour of the four new franchises and shares her thoughts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
US chicken chain that's 'better than KFC and Popeyes' set to open on Swansea's Wind Street
US chicken chain that's 'better than KFC and Popeyes' set to open on Swansea's Wind Street It promises to deliver 'cooked-to-order chicken and authentic Southern hospitality at its finest' Slim Chickens, the beloved American fast-casual brand known for its signature Southern comfort food (Image: Slim Chickens ) Popular chicken chain restaurant Slim Chickens is set to open up one of its newest branches in Swansea. The Southern-inspired restaurant, which first opened in Arkansas in 2003, will open a new spot in the south Wales city, together with other locations in London's Leicester Square, Wembley and Edgeware Road, along with the west and east Midlands, Reading and Newcastle. It is understood the new venue will open its doors along Wind Street, following on from another popular chicken hotspot, Wingstop, which also arrived there in recent months. Some of the chain's menu items include buttermilk marinated chicken tenders, chicken wings, boneless bites, sandwiches, salads, wraps, fries, and a range of 14 house dipping sauces. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here . The dipping sauces include blue cheese, buffalo, cayenne ranch, gravy mayo, honey mustard, Korean BBQ, Slim Sauce and a limited-time "Unknown" sauce. Slim Chickens is set to open in Swansea (Image: Leicestershire Live/Tristan Potter ) According to the UK menu, a three-piece tender meal will set you back £10.95, while a four-piece costs £12.45, a five-piece sits at £13.45, and a seven-piece is £14.95. Article continues below The chain also offers a plant-based version, and the most expensive meal you can order is the "best of both" five and five tender and wing meal, which costs £16.95 and is served with Texas toast, seasoned fries, house sauces and a bottomless soft drink. Ben Blore, head of operations at Slim Chickens, said: "We couldn't be more excited to bring Slim Chickens to these locations. "Our team has been dedicated to making sure every guest experiences our fresh, cooked-to-order chicken and authentic Southern hospitality at its finest." The chicken shop chain first made its way across the pond to the UK in 2018 after launching in the US state of Arkansas in 2003. Currently, it has over 65 sites in the UK, with restaurants in Wolverhampton, Leeds, Bournemouth and Belfast. It also has venues in Cardiff and Brigend. In the states, it has over 200. Popeyes also revealed plans to open its doors in Swansea back in January 2024, but the wait goes on. At the beginning of this year, the chain said that "the landlord has experienced delays in being able to commence the construction of the drive-thru" and that it was "in their hands". You can read more about that by clicking here. On social media, fans have raved about the chain over the last few years. On Instagram, one person said the food "looks phenomenal", while on Reddit, another said "prefer it over KFC". Over on X, there were similar sentiments, with one person posting: "Slim Chickens is the best chicken place I have ever been to and it's not even close.." Another added: "What is the best fried chicken franchise and why is it Slim Chickens?" A third said: "Slim chickens is much better if you want good chicken, better than both KFC and Popeyes imo." Article continues below
