Slim Chickens restaurant to open at Ashford Designer Outlet replacing former Lebanese restaurant Comptoir Libanais

A fast-food chain is to join one of Kent’s most popular shopping centers, replacing a Lebanese restaurant which closes for the summer.

Slim Chickens will launch its latest branch at the Ashford Designer Outlet in December.

The fast-casual restaurant, founded in Arkansas in 2003, will fill the now-vacant Comptoir Libanais location.

With 60 stores currently open across the UK, Ashford will also become the third Slim Chickens restaurant to open in Kent, alongside its other branches in Sevenoaks and Bluewater Shopping Centre.

The American-style brand specializes in fresh, homemade Southern-inspired dishes, which it describes as containing “authentic flavors” for meat lovers and vegetarians alike.

This includes buttermilk marinated chicken tenders, wings, wraps, as well as a selection of 14 sauces.

The company says its Ashford restaurant and takeout will open in early December.

Once negotiated, it will create 65 new jobs and offer capacity for more than 150 guests.

It will join hospitality giants Nandos, Five Guys and Yo! Sushi at McArthurGlen mall.

Slim Chickens head of operations Ben Blore said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing Slim Chickens to Ashford in just six weeks.

“Our team has been dedicated to ensuring every guest experiences our fresh, cooked-to-order chicken and authentic Southern hospitality at its best.”

The store will open just a few weeks after the outlet holds its first Christmas market.

The venue won a tender for nine festive huts selling “gourmet food” and “personalised gifts” from mid-November until Christmas Eve, following approval by Ashford Council planning officers in August.