As a child, being called a chicken was enough to make you do the unthinkable; like when your mates dared you to knock on a neighbour’s door whilst being cajoled by friends, then run away!

Today, we see chicken in the lunch boxes of body builders, on health food websites, and as a staple on every restaurant menu. According to Australian Food News (AFN), since 1965 chicken consumption has increased sixfold to become Australia’s most popular meat.

There’s certainly nothing chicken about that.

What’s more, chicken is a versatile meat, much more so than beef and pork, and is highly adaptable to flavour innovation. Unlike beef which is mostly used for steak and burgers, chickens certainly don’t have all their eggs in one basket when it comes to meal times.

Due to the escalating price of beef and pork, as well as increased awareness about the health benefits of chicken compared to dark meats, demand is up. However consumers are fussy about their meat and expect the best quality, as well as the assurance that ingredients are sourced ethically.

Red Rooster, Australia’s only quick service restaurant to serve Roast Chicken, can certainly relate to this. With more than 42 years’ experience in the industry, they know the importance of quality and innovation.

Over the years Red Rooster have made changes to their menu including burgers, baguettes and wraps, whilst staying focused on their traditional model; serving delicious, high quality, home-style roast chickens.

But not afraid to move with the times, Red Rooster have launched a unique collaboration with Sumo Salad, one of Australia’s leading healthy fast food chains.

The food partnership sees a range of Sumo sides added to the Red Rooster everyday menu in over 350 Red Rooster restaurants. Customers can now enjoy Australia’s best roast chicken served with a tasty red pesto penne pasta salad, or a zesty pumpkin couscous salad and Red Rooster will continue to work with Sumo Salad to create more delicious salads.

Sumo Salad CEO Luke Baylis says that the partnership will not only help them to expand their influence across Australia, but it will also help Australian’s to make healthier food choices.

“From a market research perspective, we conducted some informal sampling of the market to positive reviews. This has been thoroughly backed up by the feedback post-launch, where our first of its kind partnership has seen excellent brand exposure and creation of new customers, and a new revenue stream.

The opportunity can open other avenues for our own network growth, as we can piggyback off the far larger (particularly regional) presence of the Red Rooster brand” Baylis says.

Innovation from Red Rooster doesn’t stop at the drive-thru window either. Their newly launched website features a host of meal time inspirations, with favourite recipes posted for customers to try at home, an online ordering system (national rollout by end Oct 2016), and a Red Royalty program; rewarding loyal customers with the opportunity to earn ‘Red Royalty Dollars’, a free meal on birthdays, and exclusive member only offers.

As a franchise model, the Red Rooster brand offers you a unique opportunity to join one of Australia’s most iconic food brands, with the support of a well-established franchise support network and a host of professionals working behind the scenes on marketing, strategy and innovation.

If you think you have what it takes to become the next Red Rooster franchise owner, then click here. Opportunities are filling up fast.