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Chicken brand debuts its 2nd drive-thru-only restaurant in the nation in Gray

The new Slim Chickens “fly-thru” location features a mural honoring Gray, Georgia, where the franchise is located. This is the second drive-thru-only Slim Chickens to open in the nation.
The new Slim Chickens “fly-thru” location features a mural honoring Gray, Georgia, where the franchise is located. This is the second drive-thru-only Slim Chickens to open in the nation. The Telegraph

Known for its buttermilk marinated, hand breaded chicken tenders, wings and 14 house sauces, Slim Chickens now has drive-thru-only locations. It’s latest in Gray opened in mid-November.

The first “fly-thru” location opened earlier this year in the summer at the site of the fast casual restaurant chain’s first Slim Chickens in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The original restaurant, which opened in 2003, was demolished to make room for the new 1,200-square-foot, drive-thru-only Slim Chickens.

The newest and second fly-thru location in the nation opened Nov. 17 at 615 Landmark Point, Suite D. The Gray location is also the brand’s fifth Slim Chickens to open in Georgia.

Vehicles line up outside the new Slim Chickens “fly-thru” location in Gray. This is the second drive-thru-only Slim Chickens to open in the nation.
Vehicles line up outside the new Slim Chickens “fly-thru” location in Gray. This is the second drive-thru-only Slim Chickens to open in the nation. Katie Tucker The Telegraph

The Slim Chickens in Warner Robins, which features a dining room, patio and drive-thru, is owned by a different franchise group. Other Georgia Slim Chickens locations include Albany, Evans and Statesboro.

Additionally, the new Slim Chickens in Gray is the first opening for multi-unit franchise partners NCL Restaurant Group.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to open our first Slim Chickens and introduce the fly-thru experience to Gray,” a NCL Restaurant Group representative said in a news release. “From day one, we’ve admired the brand’s focus on quality and hospitality, and we’re looking forward to bringing those values to guests in our community in Georgia.”

The new fly-thru restaurants are designed to meet a shift in consumer habits toward digital, drive-thru and off-premise dining, according to the release.

“As we expand Slim Chickens across the U.S., we’re committed to partnering with experienced multi-unit operators like NCL Restaurant Group who share our vision for growth and exceptional Southern hospitality,” Sam Rothschild, chief international officer at Slim Chickens, said in the release.

“Our collaboration with NCL Restaurant Group reflects this commitment, combining best-in-class operations with a passion for delivering a high-quality guest experience. Together, we’re strategically growing the brand to serve more communities throughout the U.S. while maintaining the values that make Slim Chickens unique.”

Slim Chickens is known for its buttermilk marinated, hand breaded chicken tenders made to order. The franchise chain’s second drive-thru-only location opened in mid-November in Gray.
Slim Chickens is known for its buttermilk marinated, hand breaded chicken tenders made to order. The franchise chain’s second drive-thru-only location opened in mid-November in Gray. Courtesy Slim Chickens

Slim Chickens also serves up wraps, sandwiches, salads, and chicken and waffles, according to the menu. Sides include fries, mac and cheese, potato salad, side salad, fried pickles, fried mushrooms and fried okra.

Desserts include nilla banana pudding and other jar desserts, brownies and milk shakes.

The fast casual restaurant chain has more than 325 locations in the U.S., Turkey, Germany, Malaysia and the United Kingdom, and expects to expand its footprint to 1,000 franchise locations.

Hours for the Gray location are 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Saturday. The number is 478-607-2200.

This story was originally published December 12, 2025 at 5:47 PM.

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Becky Purser
The Telegraph
Becky covers new restaurants, businesses and developments with some general assignment reporting in Warner Robins and the rest of Houston County. She’s a career journalist with ties to Warner Robins. Her late father retired at Robins Air Force Base. She moved back to Warner Robins in 2000. Support my work with a digital subscription
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