Slim Chickens Jumps 55 Spots to #11 on Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers List

• Slim Chickens Jumps 55 Spots to #11 on Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers List
• Christina Vaughan Named to Top 25 Executives List
• Better-Chicken Brand Continues Rapid Climb Fueled by Strategic Expansion, Flexible Development and Guest Experience Focus

May 22, 2026 // FranchisePR.com // FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Slim Chickens has been named #11 on Fast Casual’s 2026 Top 100 Movers & Shakers list, marking a major leap from its #66 ranking just one year ago and reinforcing the brand’s growing influence within the fast casual restaurant industry. Additionally, President and COO Christina Vaughan was recognized on Fast Casual’s Top 25 Executives list for her leadership in guiding the brand’s continued growth and execution.

The annual report serves as a pulse check for the industry, spotlighting brands that are keeping pace with the evolving fast casual landscape and helping define where it is headed next. Honorees were selected through a combination of Fast Casual Index data, editorial review and expert judging across four key areas, including leadership, innovation, culture and growth.

“What makes this recognition so special is seeing the way the brand continues to grow without losing the things people connected with from the beginning,” said Vaughan. “I’m grateful to Fast Casual for the recognition, but even more grateful for the people behind it — our franchisees, restaurant teams, support staff, and leadership team who keep showing up every day ready to make the brand better. Jumping from #66 to #11 says a lot about the momentum we’ve built together, but also about the discipline and care that’s gone into how we’re growing Slim Chickens across the country.”

In 2026, Slim Chickens has continued advancing its strategic growth plan through expanded development commitments across the Northeast, Central Florida, and California, while also introducing additional restaurant formats to support real estate flexibility and franchisee ROI, expanding its franchise development team, and launching a new mobile app designed to enhance the guest ordering experience. Early momentum behind these initiatives is already taking shape through continued development agreements, the opening of the brand’s third Fly-Thru location in Kentucky, and growing interest from experienced multi-unit operators evaluating scalable growth opportunities within the category.

Slim Chickens has differentiated itself in the chicken category by combining premium, cooked-to-order food with Southern hospitality and a guest experience centered around variety and customization. Through its “Whatcha Pickin’?” positioning, the brand offers hand-breaded tenders, wings, sandwiches, wraps, salads, Chicken & Waffles, and signature Jar Desserts, supported by 14 house sauces that allow guests to customize their meals across multiple occasions.

Founded in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2003, Slim Chickens has grown from a single neighborhood restaurant into a global brand with nearly 300 locations open. The brand is currently operating in 32 U.S. states and internationally in the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Turkey, and the Philippines, while remaining focused on awarding opportunities to qualified, experienced multi-unit operators in the Midwest, Northeast, Upper Southeast, and West Coast Regions.

For more information on the Slim Chickens franchise opportunity, visit slimchickensfranchise.com. Connect with Slim Chickens on LinkedIn by visiting https://www.linkedin.com/company/slim-chickens.

For more information on Slim Chickens, visit slimchickens.com.

About Slim Chickens
Slim Chickens, a leading fast casual franchise that features dine-in and drive-through in the better-chicken segment, opened in 2003 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Offering high-quality food with a focus on fresh, delicious ingredients, the brand prides itself on its Southern flair and commitment to hospitality, all in a fast-casual setting. Food is cooked to order, and the differentiated menu features chicken tenders, fresh salads, sandwiches, chicken and waffles, chicken wings, and unique side items, alongside 14 house dipping sauces.

SOURCE Slim Chickens

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