Phenix City family to open Columbus area’s first Slim Chickens. Meet the owners
The Slim Chickens, opening next week in Phenix City is not the Griggs family’s first franchise.
The Griggs family, comprising Austin Thomas, Johnny Griggs, Derek Griggs, Daryl Griggs and Jamie Griggs, has built a legacy of franchise restaurants. Their company began in the 1960s, when their grandfather and uncle opened a Beef Burger franchise.
“It’s a family business,” Thomas told the Ledger-Enquirer. “The hospitality and restaurant business flows in our blood.”
Thomas is the operating manager of the Columbus area’s first Slim Chickens, which is scheduled to open Aug. 4 at 2041 US-280.
Thomas and his cousins are the third generation of the Griggs family company. They have multiple franchise restaurants around the Chattahoochee Valley, including a Krystal, a Firehouse Subs, and most recently, two Culver’s locations, one in Phenix City and another in Columbus.
Slim Chickens, headquartered in Fayettevile, Arkansas, is the next franchise venture for the Griggs company. The classic “Southern hospitality” feeling drew them to the brand, he said.
“The quality of the product speaks for itself,” Thomas said. “Customers will come in and get a great experience.”
It took about six to eight months to open the restaurant, he said.
The Phenix City Slim Chickens will strive to make a positive impact on the community, Thomas said. The restaurant hired about 100 employees and will hire more.
“We want to hire top-notch people who can get in the building and take care of guests with a smile,” Thomas said. “Our back-of-house people, where the magic happens, are preparing our food just like they’re preparing for their family.”
Thomas wants this Slim Chickens to partner with local schools to help raise money for their programs.
“We’ve done some things in the past with our other brands,” Thomas said. “This [brand] gives us another avenue to help in the community that way.”
Operating hours for Slim Chickens in Pheni City will be Sundays through Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to midnight. While there are no special promotions for the opening day, customers can download the Slim Chickens app for $5 off their first online order.