Church’s Chicken to establish 10 restaurants, first now open
Loading article...
-
Persons mill around at the opening of the Church’s Texas Chicken fast-food eatery, at the opening of the franchise’s first store at Mall Plaza, Constant Spring Road, Kingston, on December 8, 2025.
-
The Church’s Texas Chicken mascot, Sheriff Churchy, stands in front of the eatery at the opening of the franchise’s first store at Mall Plaza, Constant Spring Road, Kingston, on December 8, 2025.
Quick-service restaurant chain Church’s Texas Chicken opened its first store on its return to Jamaica on Monday at the Mall Plaza in Kingston, with the operators stating that it will be the first of 10 stores to be established over the next five years.
Church’s, with its menu of mostly fried chicken, fries and sweet treats, enters what seems to be a crowded market with similar offerings in the capital city.
But Vice-President for the Americas at Church’s, Gregg Gallagher, expressed confidence that the chain will do well despite the intense competition, which includes the likes of market leader KFC and Popeye’s.
“We distinguish ourselves with our bold flavours,” Gallagher said. “We know the competition here is fierce, but we take a lot of pride in the quality of our food,” he told the Financial Gleaner.
The Church’s Texas Chicken franchise has been brought back by franchise holder Global Brands of Trinidad & Tobago. Global Brands Director Anthony Sabga said US$1 million was invested in the first store, and is now seeking locations to further build out the chain in Kingston, Portmore and Spanish Town.
Gallagher said Church’s first intends to establish the brand in Kingston and surrounding areas before considering a nationwide roll-out. The first store employs more than 60 persons.
“We want to go organically, but do it in a way where we can build our brand awareness and then expand the rest of the island,” he said.
He declined to comment on the amount to be invested.
The franchise has cobbled arrangements with various local suppliers, inclusive of poultry company Jamaica Broilers Group and beverage maker and consumer goods distributor Wisynco Group.
Gallagher said that while Church’s had been in Jamaica “many, many years ago”, this time around the fast-food chain intended to make a bigger impact.
“This is one of the biggest economies in the Caribbean, and so the brand needs to be a success here,” he said.
Church’s Americas portfolio includes Latin America, Canada and the Caribbean. Global Brands is a franchisee for Church’s in 10 countries, including Mexico, Honduras, Puerto Rico, St Kitts-Nevis and St Lucia.
Originally founded in 1952, Church’s Texas Chicken, and its sister brand, Texas Chicken, have more than 1,500 locations in 22 countries.
luke.douglas@gleanerjm.com