Golden Chick Franchise Hatches Global Expansion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) November 7, 2011 -- Since Golden Chick first opened in 1967; the brand hasn’t strayed far from the nest. Before now, growth was purposely limited to Texas and Oklahoma. But this year, the Chick is flying the coop and slated for expansion in both the Middle East and Asia.

The first Golden Chick to open overseas is in Amman, Jordan. The latest location, which opened its doors on September 5, is owned by Hasan Zoubi and operated by his brother-in-law, Ibrahim Alzubi, who was formerly with Marriott. Zoubi is a Jordan native but currently lives in Oklahoma City where his first Golden Chick opened last year.

“Over the last 20 years we’ve had numerous inquiries about expanding into the Middle East. We have been waiting until the right opportunity came along with the right franchise partners,” says Mark Parmerlee, Chairman of Golden Companies. “Hasan has demonstrated his competence with a Golden Chick restaurant in Oklahoma, and we are very happy to see the successful opening of his pilot restaurant in Amman.”

The Jordan location has had a great reception so far. Customer comments have been positive, and the brand’s newest fans are excited about Golden Chick’s product quality and unforgettable flavor. Locals are already in love with the signature Golden Tenders, which usually come partnered with fries, country gravy, and a drink.

When Zoubi’s friend Tarek Samara learned he was opening in Jordan, Samara jumped at the chance to start his own franchise in Egypt. The deal is inked, and Samara is currently shopping for locations for his pilot store. Samara is a fellow Oklahoma dweller, but he has family in Egypt who will help run the restaurant.

The brand’s growth doesn’t stop there. Deals are in progress for expansion in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and several other Middle Eastern countries. Samara and Zoubi each have master licenses with commitments to further the brand in these markets, which means the Middle East can expect to see a lot more of Golden Chick soon.

Golden Chick is also slated to open new locations in 10 Asian countries; minority partner Allen Tharp has secured the rights to a major part of the Asian market. Tharp is an industry veteran who owns the Lion and Rose chain of British restaurants throughout Texas. The first location in China should open next year.

“People in Asia are hungry to experience American style food,” says Parmerlee. “Golden Chick has an all-American menu with big flavors and unique offerings. Our quality, menu variety, service and environment set us apart from other American brands.”

About Golden Chick
Founded in 1967 by a former employee of a major chicken franchise who thought he could fry a better chicken, the Golden Fried Chicken brand today has close to 100 locations throughout Texas and Oklahoma. Rechristened in 1993 as Golden Chick, the restaurant has expanded its traditional Southern style menu, but its goal is still the same—to empower each franchise owner for success and deliver a top notch chicken experience to each and every guest.

For more than 25 years, Golden Chick has been serving its signature Original Golden Tender™, a marinated whole chicken tenderloin that’s hand-battered and cooked to a delicious golden perfection. The filet mignon of chicken, Golden Tenders still make the restaurant a must-visit cult classic today.

Based out of Dallas, the restaurant chain has close to 100 locations throughout Texas and Oklahoma. The first international location opened in Amman, Jordan in the fall of 2011, and locations throughout the Middle East and Asia are slated to open soon.

For more information, visit www.goldenchick.com.

Golden Chick