# Tom Gordon

> Tom Gordon is the co-founder and CEO of Slim Chickens, the Fayetteville restaurant business he started with Greg Smart in 2003. His career combines finance training, restaurant operations and franchise development; by summer 2026, the chain was approaching 400 restaurants internationally.

- **Role:** Co-founder and CEO at Slim Chickens
- **Organizations:** Slim Chickens
- **Education:** Undergraduate degree in finance; concentration in real estate, Texas Christian University, Neeley School of Business, Little Rock Central High School
- **Known for:** Co-founded Slim Chickens in 2003 and developed it into an international franchise business., Led the business through its 2019 minority investment partnership with 10 Point Capital., Slim Chickens was named QSR Magazine’s Breakout Brand of 2021, according to its investor’s portfolio page.

## Career timeline

- **1997** — Graduated from Texas Christian University.
- **Before 2003** — Worked in restaurants in Little Rock and Los Angeles, including Macaroni Grill and Sunset Conglomerate.
- **2001** — Began conceptualizing Slim Chickens with Greg Smart.
- **2003** — Opened the first Slim Chickens in Fayetteville on February 17.
- **2005** — Opened a second Slim Chickens in Rogers, Arkansas.
- **2013** — First Slim Chickens franchise opened in Texarkana.
- **2018** — Slim Chickens opened its first UK restaurant in London in March.
- **2019** — Brought in 10 Point Capital as a minority investment partner in July; the chain reached its hundredth restaurant late that year.
- **2026** — Continued leading Slim Chickens as the chain approached 400 restaurants, as reported that summer.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Slim Chickens in 2003 and developed it into an international franchise business.
- Led the business through its 2019 minority investment partnership with 10 Point Capital.
- Slim Chickens was named QSR Magazine’s Breakout Brand of 2021, according to its investor’s portfolio page.

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — The summer 2026 TCU Magazine profile described nearly 400 restaurants and more than 70 openings in 2025, with Gordon still personally testing new menu items.
- **2025-07** — Featured on HR Break Room discussing growth, automated workforce processes and preserving Slim Chickens’ identity.
- **2025-02** — Discussed the brand’s garage origins, restaurant development and desire for continued growth with Arkansas Money & Politics.
- **2024-08** — Appeared on Startup Junkies episode 391 to discuss expansion, restaurant economics and partnerships.

## Links

- Website: https://slimchickens.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-gordon-a906b33/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/tom-gordon
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-20