If cars wrapped around the building twice at the drive-thru, and people waiting in the parking lot for the dining room to open at 10:30 a.m. isn’t a sign “Slimthusiasm” has taken hold of Madison chicken lovers, then just wait until Slim Chickens opens their second location at Town Madison in December!

Alan Renfroe and Dana Price, co-owners of the newly opened Slim Chickens on Highway 72 at Clift Farm were cheerfully directing traffic through the drive-thru to ensure a smooth ordering process during their official opening this month.

Mural welcoming in the “Slimthusiasts” to the Clift Farm location of Slim Chickens

The franchise will hire more than 80 employees and they estimate annual revenues will exceed $5 million per year.

Construction has been a little slower getting opened than originally planned due to the building supply chain shortage, but the partners in North Alabama’s newest fried chicken franchise said the response has been overwhelming.

“Dana and I knew we wanted a chicken restaurant franchise, but we were looking for something different,” said Renfroe. “Someone asked us if we had ever tried Slim Chickens. They are based out of Fayetteville, Arkansas, so Dana and I went to check it out and we knew immediately it was just what we were looking for. It wasn’t a matter of whether we would open stores. It was when, where and how many.”

“Everything from the recipe, the spices in the batter, the sauces, the fresh food preparation, all of it was appealing to us as customers,” Price added. “And corporate sent a crew down to spend a week to help us train our employees so they are the best. And the feedback from customers has been very positive as well.”

No matter where they have Slim Chickens restaurants, the franchise has a devoted fanbase called “Slimthusiasts” who distinguish themselves from other chicken lovers by being “better chicken” followers.

Known for its cooked-to-order fresh food and chicken tenders with 17 house-made dipping sauces, their extended menu includes fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps, chicken wings and chicken and waffles. They also offer hand-spun milkshakes and unique dessert items like chocolate brownie pudding in a jar.

Co-owners Dana Price and Alan Renfroe

Slim Chickens has a comfortable, southern contemporary atmosphere, fast casual dine-in, and 18-car drive-thru.

Clift Farm is the first of three Slim Chickens and a $3 million initial investment the pair are opening in Madison County. The second location at Town Madison is expected to open in December and they have begun construction on a Huntsville location off South Memorial Parkway on the former Ruby Tuesdays location.

The Slim Chickens franchise got its start in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2003. Today they have more than 125 locations across the United States, Kuwait, and the United Kingdom, with more than 500 locations in development.