Business

Shoprite’s ChicRite: The Homegrown Fast Food Chain Taking Over Supermarkets

Published

7 hours ago

November 3, 2025

Chiraag

A Local Giant’s Next Big Move

While international fast food chains dominate South Africa’s dining scene, a new local player has been quietly spreading its wings inside Shoprite stores. It’s called ChicRite, and it’s Shoprite’s own fried chicken brand that’s slowly reshaping what convenience food looks like in the country’s biggest retailer.

Shoprite confirmed that it has already opened around 80 ChicRite outlets nationwide, with nearly 60 of them launched in just the past 18 months. Each one operates inside a Shoprite supermarket, designed to give shoppers a quick, affordable meal option without having to leave the store.

“It’s about convenience and using our existing infrastructure where it makes sense,” said the retailer. “When customers come to do their groceries, they can also grab a bite to eat from ChicRite.”

It’s a simple idea, but in the fast food world, simple often wins.

Chicken Reigns Supreme

If you’ve spent any time in South Africa, you know one thing for sure: chicken is king. It’s the country’s most eaten protein, and for good reason. With beef prices rising and health-conscious consumers looking for leaner options, fried and grilled chicken remain top sellers in nearly every fast food category.

According to research by Cape Town-based consultancy Eighty20, chicken outlets dominate South Africa’s takeaway market. KFC leads the pack, followed by Chicken Licken, Debonairs, and McDonald’s. The data shows that chicken, burgers, and pizza together account for nearly two-thirds of all fast food spending, with chicken far outpacing the rest.

Shoprite’s move to formalise its chicken offering through ChicRite is no accident. The brand builds on the retailer’s existing deli counters, which have long sold cooked and ready-to-eat meals. The difference now is focus and branding. ChicRite outlets offer compact menus of around 25 items, built around customer favourites like fried chicken and chips.

Shoprite said it only installs ChicRite counters in stores where local demand for fast food is high, ensuring each outlet makes business sense.

Expansion in a Tough Market

While other retailers are tightening their belts, Shoprite seems to be doing the opposite. The company’s 2025 financial results show it’s aggressively expanding across several categories and winning.

For the financial year ending June 2025, Shoprite’s total sales topped R250 billion, up R20.6 billion from the previous year. Its supermarket division alone added R6.5 billion in turnover, climbing 5.9% to R110.1 billion.

Alongside ChicRite, Shoprite is branching out into new ventures: Medirite for pharmacy services, UNIQ for clothing, Petshop Science for pet care, and Checkers Outdoor for camping and adventure gear. In the past year, the group opened 194 new supermarkets and expanded its specialist brands, adding 60 new Petshop Science stores, 30 UNIQ stores, and 11 Little Me baby outlets.

ChicRite may still be small by comparison, but it fits perfectly into Shoprite’s broader playbook, building new revenue streams within spaces the retailer already controls.

The Future of Fried Chicken, South African Style

Shoprite hasn’t confirmed exactly how many more ChicRite outlets are coming, but it has hinted that expansion will continue “where we see opportunity, and if store space allows for it.”

With the fried chicken market showing no signs of slowing down, ChicRite could easily become one of the most recognisable local fast food names in South Africa.

It’s local, convenient, and, unlike many of its global competitors, designed for the realities of South African shopping habits. If the scent of fresh fried chicken starts greeting you on your next grocery run, you’ll know exactly who’s behind it.