Now, if we think of a local business, it’s unlikely that Red Rooster is the first that comes to mind. A roast chicken take-out restaurant that’s spotted in every convenient location across the country.
But here’s the thing: Red Rooster is actually a franchise network. Aussie born and bred, Red Rooster is a restaurant ‘chain’ that’s actually operated by local individual small businesspeople.
The four restaurants on the Coast are owned by locals, serving locals and are squarely focused on the community they are set within.
Red Rooster’s NSW state manager Deb Ruka tells Coasties, “It’s perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions that Red Rooster is just the same as your other big quick-service food chains. And in a few ways we are… But we have been on the Central Coast for decades and have well and truly come entrenched in the local community.”
Since 1972, when Red Rooster first started, it has operated more like a family – expanding out of Western Australia, where it came to life under the Kailis family – to today, where it is one of the nation’s biggest employers and an iconic Aussie brand that has always been dedicated to satisfying Australian’s chicken cravings.
The focus has always been firm: to steer clear of being a faceless super-chain and bring joy to the everyday through its delicious food.
“Family-owned is really at the heart of Red Rooster,” says Deb. “We have husband and wife franchise partners, parents and kids… For many young kids on the Coast, Reds has been their very first place of employment. We don’t take this responsibility lightly and have seen many crew members flourish and move into management or even become franchise partners themselves.”
Last year, we at Coasties were the first in the country to try Red Rooster’s new Crunchy Fried Chicken in an exclusive trial. Prepared by hand using fresh (not frozen) 100 percent Aussie chicken, it’s crunchy and golden on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. We tried and were totally satisFRIED (sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves). It’s now destined to be rolled out nationally during 2021.
Our verdict? All the deliciousness of a fast-food hit but with the sweet satisfaction of also supporting local.
We’ll be teaming up with Red Rooster to give away one of three Red Rooster packs (valued at $100), each filled with vouchers to spend in restaurants and limited edition merch. Head over to our Instagram @coastiesmag to enter.
You local Red Roster? Check ‘em out below.
157 The Entrance Rd, Erina
52 Central Coast Hwy, West Gosford
184 Pacific Hwy, Tuggerah
Goobarabah Ave, Lake Haven NSW 2263
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