A POPULAR American fast-food chain is preparing to open its first south Essex restaurant in under six weeks at Basildon’s Festival Leisure Park. 

Slim Chickens will replace the old Firejacks restaurant at the leisure park, underneath the Sprinkles dessert restaurant and close to the park’s Cineworld complex. 

To mark its opening, Slim Chickens has announced that it will be handing out 5,000 gold tickets to its first customers. The tickets will offer holders the chance to win complimentary meals, discounts and even a year’s worth of Slim Chickens’ food. 

The first 30 guests through the doors on opening day will also receive a free serving of chicken tenders.

The restaurant will open in the former Firejacks unitAll we know - The restaurant will open in the former Firejacks unit (Image: George Pizani) There is currently no confirmed opening day for the new Slim Chickens restaurant.

The opening of the new restaurant is expected to create up to 40 new jobs and will be able to seat more than 80 guests.

Slim Chickens was founded in Arkansas in 2003 inside a former sushi restaurant. After gaining a loyal following, the chain began expanding across the USA. In 2013, the company opened its first franchise restaurant and broke into the international market in 2017.

The chain's Southern-inspired food is belovedThe chain's Southern-inspired food is beloved (Image: Slim Chickens)Outside of the USA, Slim Chickens stores can be found in Kuwait, Germany and the UK. The Festival Leisure Park location will be the chain’s first in Essex. 

Slim Chickens’ Southern-inspired dishes include everything from buttermilk-marinated chicken tenders to crispy wings with a choice of fourteen signature dipping sauces. The menu will also include a variety of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and fan-favourite sides like fried pickles, as well as plant-based options.

Ben Blore, head of operations, shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming launch: “We’re thrilled to bring Slim Chickens to Basildon in just six weeks. Our team has been dedicated to making sure every guest experiences our fresh, cooked-to-order chicken and authentic Southern hospitality at its finest.”

Festival Leisure Park, affectionately known as Bas Vegas, is set to welcome a host of new restaurants and businesses in the coming years. Wendy’s and Costa Coffee have both revealed plans to open drive-through sites at the park.