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Slim Chickens debuts airport location in Istanbul, TurkeySlim Chickens debuts airport location in Istanbul, Turkey

Fast-casual restaurant brand seeks to expand footprint with flexible formats

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

July 26, 2023

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Slim Chickens has opened its first unit in Turkey, a new unit at the Istanbul airport.

Slim Chickens has opened its first unit in Turkey, a new unit at the Istanbul airport.

The Fayetteville, Ark.-based fast-casual company said the restaurant is operated by the Boparan Restaurant Group and Ulus.

The brand is known for its cooked-to-order chicken tenders, 17 sauce flavors and Southern hospitality. The Istanbul airport, which replaced smaller ones, was inaugurated in October 2018.

“We have been anticipating this opening for a long time now and are thrilled to share our southern recipe with residents and travelers alike in the Istanbul airport,” said Jackie Lobdell, vice president of franchise development at Slim Chickens. “We are grateful for our partnership with reputable operating groups like Boparan Restaurant Group and Ulus who continue to spread our name in more communities across the globe.”

The chicken brand has inked more than 50 new development deals, with more than 34 openings and 10 new territories, including Turkey, Nevada, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The brand, in franchise documentation, said it has average unit volumes of more than $3.8 million.

 “We had big goals heading into 2023, and as we continue to hit milestones such as opening in the world's largest airport and in new markets like Nevada and Indiana, we couldn’t be prouder,” said Lobdell in a statement.

Related:At 20, Slim Chickens is all grown up — and ready for exponential growth

Slim Chickens, founded in 2003, has more than 235 locations.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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