---
title: "Slim Chickens Opens First South Essex Location in Basildon"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/d87366eb-6767-4c58-ac53-b78964ef6822
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20241211_slim_chickens_opens_first_south_essex_location_in_basildon.html
category: "Chicken"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Chicken"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit"]
published: 2024-12-11T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T18:27:21.257Z
image: https://imgs.franchising.com/brands/social/slimchickens.jpg
---

# Slim Chickens Opens First South Essex Location in Basildon

**TL;DR:** Slim Chickens has opened its first location in south Essex, in Basildon's Festival Leisure Park, spearheaded by JRK Restaurants, a sub-franchisee of Boparan Restaurant Group. The brand is known for its hand-breaded, cooked-to-order tenders and strong fanbase.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2024-12-11. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20241211_slim_chickens_opens_first_south_essex_location_in_basildon.html).*

## Story

Slim Chickens announced today its newest restaurant opening in Basildon’s Festival Leisure Park, Unit 8b. Spearheaded by JRK Restaurants, sub-franchisee of Boparan Restaurant Group, this opening marks the first Slim Chickens location in south Essex.

Slim Chickens is known and loved for its hand-breaded, cooked-to-order tenders and passionate followers within its markets.

“We are eager for the Basildon borough to get a taste of our quality cooked-to-order chicken tenders,” said Jackie Lobdell, Vice President of Franchise Development at Slim Chickens.

The brand prides itself on its cooked-to-order fresh food and strong devoted fanbase, also known as “Slimthusiasts.” Slim Chickens has distinguished itself in the “better-chicken” segment by offering high-quality food and 14 house-made dipping sauces, allowing customers to enjoy a different flavor profile with each visit. Its menu is broader than many in the segment, offering chicken tenders, fresh salads, sandwiches, chicken and waffles, chicken wings, and unique side items.

Fans also resonate with the Southern contemporary look and feel, as well as the open and inviting layout of Slim Chickens restaurants, which speak to the hospitality mindset that anchors the brand.

Slim Chickens is a fast-casual brand in the better-chicken segment, built to scale across markets with flexible formats. Its diverse menu, cooked-to-order quality, and Southern hospitality continue to drive strong growth.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- unit expansion (topic)
- QSR (sector)
- franchise development (topic)
- restaurant opening (topic)
- fast casual (topic)
- Slim Chickens (company)
- Jackie Lobdell (person)
- Boparan Restaurant Group (company)
- JRK Restaurants (company)
- Basildon (location)

---
Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20241211_slim_chickens_opens_first_south_essex_location_in_basildon.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/d87366eb-6767-4c58-ac53-b78964ef6822).