‘Slimthusiasm’ spreads to South Huntsville; Athens and Albertville next on the list

HUNTSVILLE — Folks, it’s contagious and, chances are, at least one person in your family already has it.

You will find dozens of cases in your yoga class and hundreds in your neighborhoods and schools. It affects every age, gender and profession from teachers to pastors to tire store owners and CEOs.

But we shouldn’t be surprised – we were warned last October when the first Slim Chickens opened at Clift Farm in Madison. It seems that everyone who eats their chicken, comes down with varying degrees of “slimthusiasm.”

Since Slim Chickens opened in South Huntsville recently, there has been a huge outbreak from the Tennessee River to the Tennessee state line.

The Rocket City Trash Pandas mascot Sprocket joined in the fun at the grand opening of the South Huntsville store, the site of the former Ruby Tuesday just north of Redstone Road.

The drive-through lanes were wrapped around the building for hours but consistently moving.

Inside there was a festive and enthusiastic atmosphere with managers on-hand to greet and help guests decide from the menu of sandwiches, Slim tenders, bone-in wings, fresh salads and wraps, and decadent shakes and desserts.

All around, people were willing to talk freely about their slimthusiasm.

Technically, slimthusiasts are devoted members of the Slim Chickens fanbase that distinguish themselves from all other chicken lovers by being “better chicken” followers.

One admitted devotee explained it like this.

“It’s usually on a weekday and someone at work asks, ‘Where should we go for lunch?’ and that’s when it hits me,” a customer said. “I can already taste Slim Chickens’ Cayenne Ranch Chicken sandwich and the answer is always unanimous – ‘Slims’, yeah.”

“For me it’s the chicken filets and all these multiple sauces that gave me slimthusiasm,” pipes up a first-time customer, unabashed about his and his wife’s newfound slimthusiasm.

“I’m going to save gas money,” said another. “I live in South Huntsville, but I went with a friend to the grand opening of the Town Madison store and, since then, I have been driving to Madison to get my Slims.”

“Oh and don’t forget the desserts,” someone shouts from another table. “Chocolate brownie pudding jar!”

Co-owner Alan Renfroe said he and his business partner Dana Price brought Slim Chickens to North Alabama after driving to Arkansas and tasting it for themselves.

“It’s true what they say,” Renfroe said. “Everywhere Slim Chickens opens, slimthusiasm spreads.

“It’s been less than a year and all three locations are doing absolutely great.”

Renfroe and Price’s company, Legends Development, made a $3 million initial investment in Madison County to bring Slim Chickens to the area. With it came 250 jobs.

Both men have been in the restaurant business for decades and, together, they knew they had a winner with Slim Chickens.

“Less than a year, three restaurants and two more in progress. That is how powerful we feel about the North Alabama market,” said Renfroe. “Dana and I are very strategic about where we put our stores but when I think about the investment, I mean, you don’t know until you know but based on the research we had done, we felt like Slims was going to be successful.”

Legends Development has cleared the land and construction will begin this month on a Slim Chickens in Athens at the intersection of U.S. 72 and Lindsey Lane, next to 1^st National Bank.

“There is access off both Highway 72 and Lindsey Lane so that is going to be a great, great location,” Renfroe said. “About six weeks after that, we break ground on a Slim Chickens in Albertville.”

The slimthusiasm, like new restaurants, is building.