Golden Chick, the Texas-based chicken chain that has flown bold Southwestern flavors all the way to the Middle East, announced its first restaurant in Shanghai.
The newest restaurant opened this summer at No. 406 ChangShu Road, Putou District, Shanghai, China, in Jin Sha Plaza. The restaurant will be owned and operated by Allen Tharp, a foodservice veteran based in San Antonio who also owns eight Golden Chick restaurants in Texas.
Tharp, alongside president of Golden Companies, Mark Parmerlee, has been a major player in the traditional southern chain’s international expansion in the last three years.
“We are delighted to introduce our favorite tastes from Texas to our new friends in Shanghai. Our company has a modern, global approach to growth, but we also stay true to our famous Southern manners and treat every diner like family. Offering guests a free ice cream cone or second roll are the little touches that help people feel at home when they dig in at Golden Chick,” says Allen Tharp.
The Shanghai opening is well timed, since China is hungry for its latest craze: Fried chicken. Crispy American-style fried chicken has become a hot commodity in the Asian country. Fried chicken is regularly featured on chart-topping pop culture television shows and inspiring audiences to find something exotic to sink their teeth into.
Founded in Texas in the 1960s, the brand sprang into international growth in 2011 when the first overseas Golden Chick opened in Amman, Jordan. New locations throughout the Middle East and Asia are currently under development.
“Since our first overseas launch in Jordan has seen great success, we felt now was a great time to bring the brand to Shanghai,” says Mark Parmerlee. “I’d like to congratulate Allen and his team on a successful opening and look forward to many more developments abroad.”
Golden Chick’s best-known menu choices include chicken tenders, fried or roast breasts, legs, thighs, wings, catfish, and a variety of salads for a lighter option. Sides include battered french fries, mashed potatoes, seasoned green beans, corn on the cob, southern fried okra, Cajun dirty rice, mac and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, and fruit salad.
