The Aporia · Slim Chickens ramps up expansion with drive-throughs on the menu

Slim Chickens ramps up expansion with drive-throughs on the menu

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Williams, H. (2026, October 4). Slim Chickens ramps up expansion with drive-throughs on the menu. Evening Standard. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/slim-chickens-people-europe-b1299507.html

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Quick Summary

Slim Chickens, which opened its first restaurant in the UK in 2018, is launching its first drive-through service at Broughton Shopping Park in north Wales on October 6. The company plans to open between 15 and 20 more drive-through locations across the UK next year, with each site expected to employ up to 50 workers, potentially creating up to 1,000 new jobs. Rich Pigott, managing director of Boparan Restaurant Group, emphasized that this expansion strategy aims to capitalize on the convenience offered by drive-through services and cater to customers seeking quick food options amidst economic pressures.

Written by AI on 2026-10-05, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

Boparan Restaurant Group, which operates Slim Chickens under its UK and European master franchise, plans significant expansion with drive-through formats. The company aims to open between 15 and 20 new sites in the UK next year, focusing on the convenience of drive-through fast food amid growing demand for fried chicken. On October 6, Slim Chickens will unveil its first drive-through location at Broughton Shopping Park in north Wales, serving as a prototype for future nationwide rollouts.

With each site expected to employ up to 50 workers, the expansion could generate between 800 and 1,000 jobs across the UK. This growth follows eight launches in 2026 that have already increased Slim Chickens' UK estate to over 80 locations. Rich Pigott, managing director of Boparan Restaurants, emphasized the ambition behind these plans, stating they are just "the beginning" for Slim Chickens' drive-through initiative.

Written for “Slim Chickens Expansion Drive-throughs” on 2026-11-03, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

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Who wrote this

Holly Williams

96 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

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Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

All 96 articles by Holly Williams →

Narrative

Claims (15 extracted, 1 hedged)

The brand, which opened its inaugural restaurant in the UK in 2018, is launching its first drive-through in Broughton Shopping Park, north Wales, on October 6, with the site to act as the blueprint for more nationwide. asserted

site → open → more

Boparan Restaurant Group – which runs the master franchise for Slim Chickens in the UK and Europe – is looking to tap into booming demand for the convenience of drive-through fast-food and the ever-growing appetite for fried chicken. asserted

which → run → chicken

Rich Pigott, managing director for Boparan Restaurants, told the Press Association the group is looking to open between 15 and 20 sites next year across the UK, with the majority set to be in the drive-through format. asserted

majority → tell → format

With each site employing up to 50 workers, the expansion plans are set to see the firm create between 800 and 1,000 roles in the UK. asserted

firm → employ → UK

It sees the group accelerate its openings, after eight launches in 2026, which has already taken its UK estate to more than 80. asserted

which → see → 80

Mr Pigott said: “We’ve got ambitious plans for the drive-through format, and Broughton gives us the opportunity to take everything people love about Slim Chickens… and bring it to guests in a completely new way.” asserted

people → say → way

He added it is “only the beginning for Slim Chickens drive-throughs in the UK”. asserted

it → add → UK

He said the drive-throughs will be focused on sites such as retail parks, adding to its current estate in high streets and shopping centres. asserted

throughs → say → streets

Founded in Fayetteville, Arkansas in the US, Slim Chickens’s American chain is largely focused on drive-throughs, and the format is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. asserted

format → found → UK

Mr Pigott said: “It’s convenient for people to go to a drive-through and take food home.” asserted

people → say → food

He said it is a competitive market in the hospitality sector as consumers come under pressure amid soaring energy and fuel costs. asserted

consumers → say → costs

Read More “People might cut back from going to a restaurant two or three times a week to once a week, so you’ve got to be the best in the market to make sure people come to you.” uncertain

people → read → you

Boparan Restaurant Group, which also runs brands such as Carluccio’s, Giraffe and Gourmet Burger Kitchen, is also planning expansion further across Europe through company-owned sites and franchise partnerships. asserted

which → run → sites

Tom Patrick, marketing director at Boparan Restaurants, said the drive-through launch in the UK is a “huge moment for the brand”. asserted

launch → say → brand

He added: “We’re excited to be using our new app and new AI technology to make the guest journey in our drive-through as seamless as in-store.” asserted

journey → add → store

Slim Chickens ramps up expansion with drive-throughs on the menu

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Claims (15 extracted, 1 hedged)