Major US fast food chain set to open 16 branches across the UK - and fans say it's 'better than KFC'

A US fast food chain some fans have described as 'better than KFC' has announced plans to open 16 new outlets across the UK. Slim Chickens, which opened its first UK branch in 2020, will be opening these new eateries in 2025. Among the new locations will be one in London's Wembley, one in Leicester Square, and one in Edgeware Road. The Wembley location is set top open on February 25, with the the others both planned to start operations on March 13.

There are currently more than 60 Slim Chickens in the UK according to reports, and the upcoming London locations, will bring that total to 66. The Leicester Square and Edgeware Road will have seating for more than 125 and 90 diners respectively. They will join existing outlets across the capital, as well as ones in the northeast, southeast, midlands, Wales and Scotland. Slim Chickens is said to be planning to open two branches monthly over the next five months in order to meet its aggressive expansion plans.

Slim Chickens, which serves a range of fried chicken dishes, will be opening 16 stores in the UK this year, according to reports. Originally founded in Arkansas in 2003, the chain now has more than 200 US stores, which offer a menu featuring Southern-inspired chicken dishes. Its new London restaurants will also offer a range of sandwiches, wraps, salads, fried pickles, and Texas toast (extremely thick toasted bread, which is seasoned) as well as some plant-based options.

In addition, they will also offer multiple house sauces - something the chain is known for - including ranch; Korean BBQ; Slim Sauce; blue cheese; cayenne ranch; gravy mayo; and honey mustard among others. According to the LinkedIn page for the brand's UK operations: 'Our roots run deep in the Southern US where food is honest, meals are social, and the door is always open. We started with a mission to bring a dose of that southern hospitality to a fast, casual setting - serving fresh handmade food to local communities.

'Our startup story is pretty simple. It all started with a craving for a quick quality meal - fresh chicken cooked to order. When we discovered there was a niche to fill, we rallied where lots of great startups begin, from our garage! Tireless testing and a laser focused vision launched the first Slim Chickens restaurant in Fayetteville, Arkansas, 2003. 'Now over a decade and thousands of happy customers later, we know that there's something special about our hand-breaded chicken tenders, fresh Buffalo wings, and handmade dipping sauces that keeps our loyal fans coming back...over and over again.'.

In a statement about the chain's expansion, Ben Blore, Head of Operations at Slim Chickens, said the company is 'thrilled' to be opening the new locations. He added: 'Our team has been dedicated to making sure every guest experiences our fresh, cooked-to-order chicken and authentic Southern hospitality at its finest.'. One of the fast food chain's specialities is its house sauces, which include around 15 different flavours including cayenne ranch and blue cheese among others.

It comes as another US fried chicken import has announced major UK expansion plans. At the end of last month, fast food eatery Popeyes unveiled plans to open 45 new restaurants across the nation. The US-based fast food franchise first opened on this side of the Atlantic in 2021 and has since acquired a substantial fanbase. Last year, it opened 33 eateries across the UK, and according to reports, it has no plans of slowing down this expansion.

On its menu are a range of chicken meals, including spicy burgers and wraps, alongside seasoned buttermilk poultry pieces. Popeyes also sells side like fries, mac & cheese and Louisiana-style biscuits with gravy. One of the options at Slim Chickens is the cayenne ranch sandwich (pictured) which is prived from £4.95. The American fast food joint opened its first UK restaurant in Westfield shopping centre in Stratford in 2021.

Now new eateries are set to pop up in Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol and Manchester, as well as in Liverpool, London and Scotland. The brand has revealed that there will be different versions of the restaurant arriving, including dine-in eateries, drive-thru spots and delivery kitchens specifically for takeaway orders. In addition, the chain has unveiled plans to open kitchens near a number of train stations, so hungry commuters can grab a meal while travelling.