Slim Chickens secures Northern Ireland foothold
BRG has partnered with OCO Westend, which will open Slim Chickens’ first Northern Ireland restaurant on Belfast’s Boucher Square on 11 October, bringing the American-founded fast casual brand’s UK portfolio up to 30 sites.
“Slim Chickens is a highly scalable brand and we are delighted to have secured an experienced operator that gives us a foothold in Northern Ireland,” says Satnam Leihal, CEO at BRG.
Designed by Harrison, the new 2,800 sq ft, 74-cover restaurant will nod to the brand’s US aesthetic, featuring exposed brick, industrial beams and the brand’s signature red colourway.
The menu will feature Slim Chickens’ buttermilk-marinated, hand-breaded tenders and 14 house-made sauces alongside freshly prepared salads, sandwiches, buffalo wings, wraps and waffles, as well as sides of mac and cheese, fried pickles and Texas toast.
OCO Westend is an established hospitality franchisee, and one of Starbucks' longest licensed partners.
“We have ambitious plans to open more sites in Belfast and look forward to working with OCO West End to bring Slim Chickens’ unique Southern hospitality to Northern Ireland,” adds Leihal.
Slim Chickens was founded by Tom Gordon and Greg Smart in 2003 and currently operates more than 100 restaurants in the US. It launched in the UK in 2018.
