Editor's note: What's Fayetteville missing?

By Stephanie Meador, posted Mar 19, 2026 on BizFayetteville.com

Trader Joe's logo courtesy of Trader Joe's. Slim Chickens photo provided by Slim Chickens and Braum's ice cream photo provided by Stephanie Meador.

Moving to Fayetteville in 2022, I was eager to experience some brands and chains that were new to me but staples in the area. Places like Cook Out and Biscuitville are now near and dear to my heart, and it is strange to imagine living in a city without them, especially since they are so common here.

But there are a few brands and businesses that haven’t found their way to Fayetteville yet, and their absence is notable.

TRADER JOES: I’m certainly not alone in hoping someday this trendy grocery store will set up shop locally (you may recall a couple of years ago when a prankster posted a fake coming soon banner on a lot and had people scrambling on social media to find out if the news was true, it was not). I popped inside a store while on a recent vacation and was reminded of how much I like it.

SLIM CHICKENS: As an Arkansas native, I miss this chicken chain that was founded in Fayetteville, Ark. There are a few locations in N.C., but they are all at least 45 minutes away. I’ve enjoyed it here on occasion when I find myself in Pembroke or Smithfield, but I miss driving through at a moment’s notice for a three-piece meal with a strawberry shake. Thankfully, we are getting a Raising Cane’s soon, so that will help fill the chicken-tender-sized hole in my heart.

BRAUM’S: This fast-food joint/ grocery store is best known for its burgers and ice cream. Incredibly affordable and delicious, I always get a cone, a cup or a shake while I’m back home. In googling the brand I have discovered that “all stores must be within a 300-mile radius of their Oklahoma dairy farm for fresh delivery,” so my dream of seeing it make its way east is likely to go unrealized. Maybe someday they’ll establish a second dairy farm out this way and open the door for new locations.

As you can see, I’m a big foodie, so I tend to judge a place by its dining options. Fayetteville has a lot to offer in that way, so I make do without some of my hometown favorites and other standouts that have yet to come here.

If there are any franchisees in the area reading this who feel inspired, I would be more than happy to report on the news of you bringing one of my most missed brands to the area. Until then, I look forward to continuing to share the news of new local businesses, North Carolina classics and expansions of longtime Fayetteville staples.

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