Slim Chickens Closed Its Final Columbia Location
The restaurant at 7544 Garners Ferry Road has ceased operations, marking the brand's exit from the city.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Slim Chickens has permanently closed its last remaining Columbia restaurant. The location at 7544 Garners Ferry Road ceased operations following the closures of two other local branches earlier this year.
Why it matters
The closure marks a complete retreat for the chicken-focused chain from the Columbia market. The brand continues to maintain a presence elsewhere in the state.
The Garners Ferry Road site had been in operation since 2022. The brand currently maintains 3 locations throughout South Carolina and 206 across the United States.
The players
Slim Chickens
This fast-casual restaurant chain specializes in chicken tenders, wings, and house-made dipping sauces.
The details
The Garners Ferry Road location was confirmed closed after calls to the store went unanswered and the drive-thru menu screens were powered down. The site no longer appears on the company's official online store locator.
Timeline
The restaurant opened at the Garners Ferry Road site in 2022.
The North Beltline Boulevard location closed in July 2026.
The Killian Road location closed in August 2026.
The Garners Ferry Road location closed on September 27, 2026.
Market Landscape
The brand's departure from Columbia reflects a broader trend of fast-casual chains consolidating regional footprints to optimize operational costs. This shift positions the company to focus resources on more profitable territories while retreating from saturated or underperforming markets.
Local diners who frequented the Garners Ferry Road location will no longer have access to the chain within the city limits. Residents must now travel to other cities to visit one of the remaining South Carolina branches.
The takeaway
The complete closure of all local Slim Chickens outlets suggests a strategic contraction for the regional franchise operator. Customers should verify the availability of other preferred quick-service chains before traveling to avoid similar closures.
Further reading
For more information on the changing local business environment, visit the Columbia Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Post and Courier.
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