Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG) has secured a franchise partnership with OCO Westend to open the group’s first Slim Chickens restaurant in Ireland.

As an established hospitality franchisee, and one of Starbucks’ longest licensed partners, OCO Westend will open Slim Chickens’ 30th site and its first in Ireland, located on Belfast’s Boucher Square, on 11 October.

Satnam Leihal, CEO at BRG, said: “Slim Chickens is a highly scalable brand and we are delighted to have secured an experienced operator that gives us a foothold in Ireland. We have ambitious plans to open more sites in Belfast and look forward to working with OCO West End to bring Slim Chickens’ unique Southern hospitality to Ireland.”

Designed by Harrison, the new 2,800 sq ft, 74-cover restaurant will nod to the brand’s US restaurant design, featuring exposed brick, industrial beams and the brand’s signature red colourway.

The chain’s buttermilk-marinated, hand-breaded tenders and 14 house-made sauces, alongside freshly prepared salads, sandwiches, buffalo wings, wraps and waffles, and sides of mac and cheese, fried pickles and Texas toast, will all be on offer at the new restaurant.

As well as in-restaurant dining, Slim Chickens will be offering click and collect, takeaway and delivery services via the Deliveroo, UberEats and Just Eat apps.

Diners will also be able to download the Slim Chickens app to take advantage of various opening offers, which will change every week.

The brand was founded by Tom Gordon and Greg Smart in 2003 and currently operates more than 100 restaurants in the US.

Source: Foodservice Equipment Journal