US fast food chain that’s ‘better than KFC’ to open 16 more branches this year across the UK

A US fast food chain, dubbed "better than KFC", is set to open 16 more branches this year across the UK.

Slim Chickens is known for its a selection of fried chicken meals - after making its way across the pond in 2020.

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The chain, which started in the deep south of  in 2003, is now set to open 16 new UK branches, the Sun can reveal.

These include locations in the Midlands, northeast, southeast and London - as well as Wales and Scotland.

Slim Chickens currently has 58 stores across the nation - with its most recent opening was in Bridgend, Wales, just last week.

Menu items include buttermilk marinated tenders, crispy wings, boneless bites, chicken sandwiches, chicken wraps and fries - with an array of house dipping sauces.

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The 14 dips include blue cheese, buffalo, cayenne ranch, gravy mayo, honey mustard, Korean BBQ, Slim Sauce and a limited-time "Unknown" sauce.

There are also various flavours of American-style milkshakes to choose from - including

The rapidly growing business plans to open two sites per month to carry out its ambitious plan.

The first two openings will both be in the capital - in Leicester Square and Wembley - this month.

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To mark the occasion, there will also be a giveaway of 10,000 "Golden Tickets" - with the chance to win free chicken for a whole year.

Founded by Greg Smart and Tom Gordon, Slim Chickens has a significant presence in the US - with 200 branches across the country.

The news comes after KFC brought back its "holy grail" Double Down burger - after it was axed five years ago.

The burger, which features two breaded chicken breasts instead of a sandwich bun was last seen on the menus in 2019.

The updated version will feature a hashbrown wedged between the chicken buns along with cheese and KFC Supercharger sauce.

Meanwhile, Slim Chickens rival Popeyes revealed plans to open 45 new restaurants in the UK this year.

The chicken giant already opened 33 locations in the UK last year and is one of the fastest-growing chicken brands in the quick-service market.

Branches are set to pop up in Birmingham, Leeds and Bristol as well as further locations in Manchester, Liverpool, London and Scotland.

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Alongside opening dine-in restaurants, the brand said it has plans to open drive-thru locations and delivery kitchens, which will be just for takeaway orders.

Tom Crowley, chief of Popeyes UK, said: “2025 is set to be another incredibly exciting year for Popeyes UK, building on the significant successes our team generated in 2024 as we ended the year with an annual sales run rate of £150m."