On Friday, August 1, 2025, KNWA & FOX24 News reported that Washington County Circuit Judge Doug Martin has recused himself from a lawsuit involving the Fayetteville-based restaurant chain Slim Chickens. The recusal’s specific reasons were not detailed in court documents as of the date of the report.
The lawsuit, initiated in June by the franchisee group R Solution Companies, accuses Slim Chickens of fraud and breach of contract. The franchisees claim that the restaurant chain misrepresented the profitability and scalability of its franchise model. They allege that Slim Chickens has provided inflated data and engaged in misleading advertising regarding the freshness and homemade nature of its food offerings.
In response to the allegations, Slim Chickens has firmly denied the claims made by R Solution, contending that the lawsuit is an attempt to deflect responsibility for persistent performance issues attributed to the franchisee. The company has sought to have the case dismissed and is also aiming to disqualify R Solution’s legal representation due to an alleged conflict of interest, a claim that R Solution disputes.
In a statement provided to KNWA/FOX24 in June, Slim Chickens asserted that the allegations from R Solution’s owner, Gary Grewe, are baseless and lack merit. The company expressed confidence in its legal position and stated its intent to vigorously defend against what it describes as unfounded claims through the appropriate legal processes.
Source: KNWA & FOX24 News
