South Korean fried chicken chain NeNe Chicken is making its debut in New Zealand, opening its first outlet in Auckland.
Local plans are in the works to invest more than US$9 million, with the brand to open 18 stores initially. By 2028, the network aims to generate $44.6 million in sales annually.
NeNe Chicken has 1100 stores worldwide, including in the US, UAE, Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Marcus Teh, GM of NeNe Chicken, said the launch is a win because there will be significant investment in local suppliers.
“We will be sourcing base ingredients and all fresh products within New Zealand – including 120 tonnes of chicken annually,” said Teh.
ST Group holds exclusive franchise and license rights to NeNe Chicken and three other international food and beverage brands in New Zealand, including Gong Cha, Ippudo and Malaysian chain PappaRich.
Teh said ST Group has bounced back from the impact of the pandemic and expects to see significant growth across its hospitality portfolio this year.
“The easing of border restrictions and resumption of international travel towards the end of last year has lifted business sentiment and begun to revitalise the food and beverage sector,” he concluded.
“This, coupled with the influence of social media platforms, food blogs, and online food communities, are playing a significant role in driving food trends and creating awareness of emerging brands.”
