Red Rooster promises fast fowl in 'healthier' form

By REBECCA WALSH

7 Dec, 2004 08:57 AM2 mins to read

The Red Rooster will take on the Colonel in the New Zealand fast food market, claiming its chicken is healthier than its competitor.

Australian-based fast food outlet Red Rooster is setting up franchises in New Zealand and its first store is due to open in the next three weeks.

Red Rooster NZ Ltd is promising a product that is healthier and tastier than any other chicken product on the market.

Its managing director, Mike Ryan, said the first store would open in the new Southgate Centre at Takanini before Christmas.

The company planned to have 80 stores eventually, with 10 expected to open in the first 12 months.

Five of those would be built in South Auckland in the first quarter of next year.

"Initially we are aiming to establish a base for training and management around Auckland. We are looking at other sites in Hamilton and Tauranga, possibly in the latter half of next year."

Mr Ryan said Red Rooster differed significantly from KFC. It used whole chickens which were marinated for 12 hours before being roasted rather than fried "to cook the fat out" and keep the taste in.

"The way we look at is you couldn't cook this sort of thing at home because of the effort that goes in."

Promotional material supplied by the company said it believed New Zealand consumers would "embrace its oven roasted chicken as a healthier convenience chicken option".

As well as whole chickens or portions with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes or fries, the "quick service restaurant" would offer burgers, rolls, wraps and salads.

Food could be eaten in store or taken away.

Up to 70 per cent of sales were expected to be made via drive throughs.

Red Rooster Australia is owned by Australian Fast Foods Pty Ltd and operates 400 Red Rooster and Chicken Treat outlets in Australia.

It has been operating in Australia for 25 years.

Vicki Salmon, chief executive of Restaurant Brands (the company which owns KFC in New Zealand) said there were always new entrants to the market but would not comment further.