(Jamaica Gleaner) Church’s Texas Chicken will be entering Jamaica’s quick-service restaurant market with its first store scheduled to open at Mall Plaza in Kingston in the third quarter of this year.
The Church’s franchise is operated by Global Brands Group, a restaurant management company in the Caribbean with a portfolio of more than 140 restaurants, spanning 12 brands that are spread across Trinidad & Tobago, St Lucia and St Kitts-Nevis.
The company says there are plans to establish additional locations in key areas across Jamaica.
“The Kingston Church’s restaurant is the first step in our expansion in Jamaica, and we are committed to growing across the country in the coming years,” said Anthony Sabga-Aboud, director of Global Brands Group, which is based in Trinidad.
The Church’s franchise has a long-standing presence in the Caribbean.
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Sabga-Aboud told the Financial Gleaner that the investment in the new store ran to more than US$1.25 million and was financed through their Jamaican banking partners.
The Church’s outlet on the busy Constant Spring Road shopping strip will employ 60 persons.
“We believe that Kingston is a perfect first location in Jamaica and the restaurant will stand out with its impressive look,” said Gregg Gallagher, vice-president of the Americas at Church’s Texas Chicken. “Communities across the Caribbean have embraced Church’s and together with the Global Brands Group of Companies, we look forward to growing and sharing our unique brand experience with more guests,” Gallagher.
Church’s enters an active local fast-food market, which has several chicken franchises, inclusive of dominant brand KFC and Popeyes, and local brands such as Quick Chick and Chicken and Tings.
Jamaicans have a big appetite for chicken. According to statistics from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the consumption of chicken in Jamaica is among the highest in the region at 49.5 kilogrammes per capita. It’s ahead of Trinidad & Tobago at 33.4 kg and the Dominican Republic at 32.4 kg, but trails Barbados at 56 kg and the United States at 53.3 kg. The global average is 14.6 kilogrammes.
Founded in San Antonio, Texas, in 1952 by George W. Church, Church’s Texas Chicken and its sister brand, Texas Chicken, have more than 1,500 locations in 22 markets and system-wide sales of more than US$1.4 billion. It is now owned by US-based private investment firm High Bluff Capital Partners and asset management company FS Investments since 2021.
