If you’re craving fresh buttermilk chicken tenders, crispy wings, or jar desserts, you probably want to know one thing first: Slim Chickens hours for today. This guide covers everything you need to plan your trip, whether you’re hitting the drive-thru, dining in, or ordering catering.
Slim Chickens is a fast-casual chicken chain founded in Fayetteville, Arkansas, by Greg Smart and Tom Gordon. It’s known for 100% all-natural chicken tenders, cooked-to-order wings, Southern sides like Texas toast and mac & cheese, and a lineup of over 17 house-made dipping sauces. Since launching in 2003, the brand has expanded rapidly across the U.S. and internationally. However, because locations span different formats, operating hours vary by store.
Here is a full breakdown of typical opening hours, holiday schedules, location types, and answers to common questions.
Why Slim Chickens Hours Vary by Location
Slim Chickens operates standard standalone locations with drive-thrus, but you’ll also find stores in shopping centers, college campuses, airports, military bases, and sports venues.
- Standalone Drive-Thru Locations: Usually maintain the longest, most consistent schedules.
- Food Courts & Shopping Malls: Follow the overarching retail center or mall schedule.
- Universities & Travel Hubs: Adjust hours based on academic calendars, flight schedules, or venue events.
Checking your local store’s exact times before heading out prevents unnecessary trips.
Typical Operating Hours (Standalone Restaurants)
Most standard Slim Chickens locations open mid-morning for lunch and stay open through dinner.
| Day | Typical Opening Time | Typical Closing Time |
| Monday | 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | 9:30 – 10:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | 9:30 – 10:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | 9:30 – 10:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | 9:30 – 10:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | 10:00 – 11:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | 10:00 – 11:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. |
Note: Drive-thru lanes at select locations stay open 30 to 60 minutes past the dining room closing time on weekends.
Operating Hours by Location Type
Because Slim Chickens runs across multiple setup types, hours differ significantly based on the property type.
| Location Type | General Hours |
| Standalone / Drive-Thru | ~10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily |
| Shopping Center / Strip Mall | ~10:30 a.m. – 9:00 or 10:00 p.m. |
| College Campus / Food Court | ~10:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Airports & Travel Hubs | Early morning – Late evening |
| Military Bases | Varies by base guidelines |
Does Slim Chickens Serve Breakfast?
No, Slim Chickens generally does not serve a traditional early morning breakfast menu. Most locations open between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. While they serve Chicken & Waffles, this item is available on the main menu during standard lunch and dinner hours rather than early morning.
Does Slim Chickens Have Late-Night Hours?
Slim Chickens is primarily a lunch, dinner, and late-afternoon meal spot. While most stores close around 10:00 p.m. on weekdays, many drive-thrus remain open until 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Extremely late midnight or 24-hour schedules are rare.
Slim Chickens Holiday Hours
Holiday operating hours depend on whether a store is corporate-owned or franchised. Franchise owners set local hours, though most stores observe standard corporate holiday closures.
| New Year’s Day | Open | 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 or 10:00 p.m. (Opens 1 hour later than usual) |
| Easter Sunday | Closed at most locations | Closed ~11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Memorial Day | Open regular hours | 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. |
| July 4th (Independence Day) | Open | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Labor Day | Open regular hours | 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. |
| Halloween | Open regular hours | 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. |
| Thanksgiving Day | Closed | Closed |
| Christmas Eve | Open with early closure | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 or 4:00 p.m. |
| Christmas Day | Closed | Closed |
| New Year’s Eve | Open | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 or 8:00 p.m. (Closes early for holiday night events) |
Is Slim Chickens Open on Sundays?
Yes, standard standalone Slim Chickens locations are open seven days a week, including Sundays. Typical Sunday hours run from around 10:00 or 10:30 a.m. until 9:00 or 10:00 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Slim Chickens usually open?
Most standalone restaurants and drive-thrus open between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
What time does Slim Chickens close?
Closing times typically range from 9:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and up to 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Are Slim Chickens hours the same everywhere?
No. Campus food courts, airport spots, and shopping center locations follow their host venue’s schedule rather than standard street hours.
Is Slim Chickens closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas?
Yes, nearly all locations close completely on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day so team members can spend time with family.
Can you get dipping sauces with every meal?
Yes. Combo meals come with house-made dipping sauces like Cayenne Ranch, Slim Sauce, Honey BBQ, or Gravy.
Final Thoughts
Slim Chickens is a convenient go-to for hand-breaded tenders, wings, house sauces, and jar desserts. Since schedules vary by store format, checking the official app or map listing before heading out ensures your local kitchen is open and ready.
I’m Natalie. I run this site mostly out of stubbornness — I ordered the wrong thing at a Slim Chickens once, got curious about the rest of the menu, and never really stopped. Now I track prices, new items, and locations here. No corporate connection to the brand, just someone who apparently has strong opinions about dipping sauces.