Chicking, the well-known halal fast-food chain, has recently opened its first South Island location in Sydenham, marking the 16th store in New Zealand. The response to the opening has been nothing short of overwhelming.
Situated on Colombo St, the new store has quickly attracted large crowds eager to try its popular chicken dishes and peri-peri toasties. The fast-paced opening has led to a bustling atmosphere, with customers queuing up for a taste of the signature offerings.
“We’ve had a very busy week,” said Amaldev Jayaprakash, owner of the Chicking franchise in New Zealand. “The response from the community has been fantastic, and we’ve had to pause service for brief periods — anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour — just to manage the crowd.”
The new location, which opened last Friday, marks Chicking’s debut on the South Island. The busiest day so far was Sunday, when the store served between 510 and 525 customers. Jayaprakash pointed out that the spicy peri-peri toasties have been particularly popular among customers.
Despite the store’s success, there have been some challenges, particularly concerning parking availability. “Initially, parking was not an issue during the store’s setup, but with the growing number of customers, it’s become more difficult,” Jayaprakash explained. The team is working on securing additional parking spaces nearby.
Chicking’s menu features a range of halal-certified options, including fried chicken, burgers, wraps, and peri-peri chicken, all of which reflect the brand’s Middle Eastern heritage. The chicken is sourced from Brinks, a national halal food supplier with a local presence in Christchurch.
While delivery services are not available yet, Jayaprakash mentioned that the team plans to introduce this option once operations stabilize.
Founded in Dubai in 2000, Chicking has expanded its presence to over 30 countries, including Australia, India, Malaysia, and the UK. In New Zealand, Chicking has 16 stores, with 15 located in the North Island. The company has plans for further expansion, with a new store set to open in Rotorua soon.
Additionally, by the end of the year, two new stores are expected to open in Christchurch, and one in Ashburton, according to Jayaprakash.
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