Parker has a new option for chicken fans as Slim Chickens opened its first store in the community July 25.
After about two years of design, permitting and construction, the restaurant is now offering dine-in and drive-through at their store located at Pine Lane and Parker Road.
Slim Chickens — based in Fayetteville, Arkansas — focuses on providing never-frozen chicken with handmade ingredients and menu options for a variety of people.
“Our chicken is really tender, it’s measurably different,” said franchisee Will Smith. “Our buttermilk we make in house.”
Menu items include wings, chicken tenders, wraps, sandwiches, chicken and waffles and salads. Options for sides are fries, mac and cheese, fried pickles, fried okra, fried mushrooms, coleslaw, ranch chips and potato salad. For something sweet, there are milkshakes and dessert jars. There are also 17 different sauces for dipping or tossing in the chicken.
“We really drive that Southern hospitality home,” Smith said.
The restaurant has opened four locations in Colorado in the past four years and has plans to expand further. At least three more are under construction and several others are in the permitting phase.
“Our brand will double in 12 months,” he said.
The 3,800-square-foot space in Parker includes a large family-style table, booths, individual tables and a porch area with windows and garage doors that can remain open or closed.
About a quarter of the store’s revenue is expected to come from food delivery services such as Uber Eats, Smith said.
General manager Jimmy Gibson, who oversees the restaurant’s operations, says the community can expect a few things when coming to their locations: “Fresh food, fast and great Southern hospitality served with a smile.”
Smith and Gibson are also looking to hire more employees for the 80-person team in Parker. Smith said he prioritizes his employees with retirement plans, growth opportunities and health insurance. The company also offers English as a second language workshops.
The restaurant, located at 9566 Twenty Mile Road, is open every day from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
