The first drive-thru Slim Chickens restaurant outside the United States has opened at Sprucefield.
The fast-casual chicken restaurant is one of three new hospitality operators setting up at the expanded Sprucefield Park.
A new Nando’s restaurant and a drive-thru Starbucks are also due to open at the development site next to Sainsbury’s fuel forecourt.
Founded in Arkansas in 2003, Slim Chickens has expanded rapidly across the US and UK through the franchise model.
Devon-based KK Restaurants SW Ltd is behind the expansion of Slim Chickens in Northern Ireland.
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The company, headed by 25-year-old Noah White, recently acquired two Slim Chickens outlets in Belfast’s Boucher Road and Victoria Square shopping centre.
He said the new Sprucefield restaurant is Slim Chickens first drive-thru in the UK.
Specialising in southern-US inspired dishes, Slim Chickens is known for its hand-breaded chicken tenders, fresh chicken wings, and variety of dipping sauces.
It’s part of a wave of North American fast casual chicken restaurants to target the Northern Ireland market.
Popeyes and Mary Brown’s Chicken have already opened outlets in the north, while Chick-fil-A recently announced Belfast will be among its first locations in the UK.
The Azzurri Group, which owns Belfast-founded burrito bar chain Boojum, earlier this year signed up to open 60 Dave’s Hot Chicken outlets in Ireland and the UK.
Founded in Los Angeles in May 2017, Dave’s Hot Chicken has been described as one of the fastest growing restaurant brands in US history.
The three new hospitality units at Sprucefield Park are part a broader £20 million development plan by owner NewRiver.
New retail warehouse units and a hotel are also in planning, with Lidl expected to develop a new supermarket at the site.
Sprucefield Retail Park, which includes units leased to B&Q, Sainsburys and The Range, was acquired by NewRiver for £40 million in 2020, but the investment trust later sold 90% a fund managed by the US-based Pacific Investment Management Company (Pimco).
NewRiver retains a 10% share in Sealand Sarl, the Luxembourg-based entity which owns NewRiver (Sprucefield) Ltd.
