CHIK’N has entered a partnership with Soho House, to rebrand as Chicken Shop: CHIK’N, the fried chicken concept backed by Sir Charles Dunstone, is to rebrand as Chicken Shop, after entering a new partnership with Soho House Group.
Harrison, after extensive research and development , have created the new Chicken Shop branding, working alongside the John Nelson-led business, and they are currently redesigning its two sites in Baker Street and Islington under the new name, which was previously used by Soho House. The company will then roll out the rebranding and a new look and feel to the rest of its estate over the coming months, including new openings. CHIK’N founded by Carl Clarke and David Wolanski, will take on the former Chicken Shop in Whitechapel for a new opening and will feature on the menu of six Soho House sites.
CHIK’N which currently also operates a site in Soho, is set to open at 88 Notting Hill Gate; on the former O’Neills site in The Broadway, Wimbledon; and in an empty unit next to the Tesco Express in Camden High Street, later this year.
John Nelson said: “When Carl and David conceptualised the iconic and much-loved cult CHIK’N brand in the fields of Latitude Festival, they had one simple mission in mind – to make the best fried chicken in London. After four years of experimenting, innovating and most importantly, crunching – they’ve nailed it! Our aim has, and always will be to serve-up the best fried chicken in London; so a name that fits this, was super important. This is where our exciting new partnership with Soho House was born. This will see us taking over their existing brand name – Chicken Shop and putting our unique fried chicken on menus across selected London-based Soho Houses.
We have got really exciting plans for the brand, the new look brand will have a more urban, funkier feel, and will not be a typical QSR, more ‘fast casual meets QSR.
There is a real opportunity for premium chicken burgers. We are trying to raise the bar and create an environment that fits the calibre of the product – we think we are on the right track.
The first point of call will be to refurbish and rebrand our existing locations early this year, with the roll-out of new Chicken Shops across London over the next year. We’re very excited about this great partnership and a tasty new name, but as always – our signature food stays the same.”
Last year, Dunstone, the backer of Five Guys UK, become the majority backer of Chik’n, with plans to ramp up its rollout. Chik’n also currently operates out of dark kitchens in Acton, Bermondsey, Battersea and Wandsworth.