Editing Red Rooster

{{Short description|Australian fast food restaurant}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2011}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Red Rooster
| logo = Red_Rooster_Logo.png
| trading_name = Red Rooster
| former_name = Alverno Pty. Limited<ref name="OpenCorporates">{{Cite web |date=1989-01-23 |title=Australian Fast Foods Pty. Limited :: Australia :: OpenCorporates |url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/au/008647907 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=[[OpenCorporates]]}}</ref>
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| foundation = {{start_date and age|1972}}
| location = [[Chatswood, New South Wales]], Australia
| key_people = {{Ubl
| Kailis family
| Samantha Bragg ([[CEO]])
}}
| industry = [[Fast food restaurant]]s
| num_employees = 7500+<ref>{{cite web|title=About Us|url=http://www.redrooster.com.au/Corporate/Our-Story/|work=Red Rooster|access-date=14 June 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626012259/http://www.redrooster.com.au/Corporate/Our-Story/|archive-date=26 June 2013}}</ref>
| revenue = 
| net_income = 
| products = {{Ubl
| Roast chicken
| Fried chicken
| Chips and sides
| Burgers
| Wraps
| Rolls
| Beverages
}}
| parent = [[PAG (investment firm)|PAG Asia Capital]] through [[Craveable Brands]]
| homepage = {{URL|https://redrooster.com.au}}
}}

'''Red Rooster''' is an Australian [[Fast-food restaurant|fast food]] chain. It sells [[roast chicken]] alongside common fast food items, such as burgers, [[Hot chips|chips]], salads, and beverages. Since 2021, it has offered [[fried chicken]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rouse |first1=Lauren |title=Red Rooster Has Entered The Chat With A New Crunchy Fried Chicken Range |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/03/red-rooster-new-crunchy-fried-chicken-australia/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308143504/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/03/red-rooster-new-crunchy-fried-chicken-australia/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 March 2021 |access-date=16 July 2024 |publisher=Kotaku Australia |date=9 March 2021}}</ref>

In 1972, Peter and Theo Kailis opened the first Red Rooster in [[Kelmscott, Western Australia]], a suburb of [[Perth]]. They sought to compete with American fast food chains such as [[Kentucky Fried Chicken]], which came to Australia in 1968, by emulating their standardised model. Red Rooster proved successful, growing to 45 stores in [[Western Australia]] and [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] before [[Myer]] bought it in 1981. Myer's 1986 purchase and merger of another chain, [[Big Rooster]], into Red Rooster expanded it into the eastern states.

In 2002, [[Chicken Treat]] owner [[Australian Fast Foods]] (AFF) acquired Red Rooster. It changed hands between [[Private equity firm|private equity firms]] several times and is currently owned by [[Craveable Brands]], a [[holding company]] of [[PAG (investment firm)|PAG Asia Capital]] which also owns Chicken Treat and [[Oporto (restaurant)|Oporto]]. In 2010, most Red Roosters were converted into [[Franchising|franchises]]. While it has experienced a decline in popularity in recent years, as of 2021, Red Rooster is the sixth-most-popular fast food restaurant in Australia.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/mcdonalds-kfc-hungry-jacks-dominos-pizza-are-australias-favorite-restaurants | title=McDonald's, KFC, Hungry Jack's & Domino's Pizza are Australia's favorite restaurants - Roy Morgan Research }}</ref>

==History==

=== Beginnings (1972{{En dash}}1981) ===
In 1972, Peter and Theo Kailis opened the first Red Rooster in [[Kelmscott, Western Australia|Kelmscott]], a suburb of [[Perth]].{{Sfn|Murray|2018|p=105}} The brothers were inspired by a chicken shop on [[Wanneroo Road]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Rasdien |first=Peta |date=9 February 2018 |title=Hawaiian pack inventor Peter Kailis still enjoys a Red Rooster favourite |url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wa/hawaiian-pack-inventor-peter-kailis-still-enjoys-a-red-rooster-favourite-ng-b88738741z |access-date=5 March 2023 |website=[[Seven West Media|PerthNow]] |publisher=}}</ref> It marked a departure from [[Kailis (disambiguation)|their family]] background in fishing, [[Pearling in Western Australia|pearling]], and seafood. Unlike local restaurants, Red Rooster sought to compete with American [[fast food]] chains by emulating their standardised menu, branding, and marketing strategies.{{Sfn|Murray|2018|p=106}}

At the time, American franchises such as [[McDonald's Corporation|McDonald's]] were yet to expand to [[Western Australia]]. They entered the Australian market in 1968, when [[Kentucky Fried Chicken]] (KFC) opened in [[Sydney]], proving popular with the country's fledgling [[List of restaurant chains in Australia|restaurant scene]].{{Sfn|Murray|2018|p=|pp=101{{endash}}102}}

Red Rooster quickly proved successful. In July 1981, when the [[Myer|Myer Emporium]] bought the chain for $8.97 million, it was the fourth-largest fast food group in Australia. It had 28 locations in Western Australia and 12 in [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]],<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=10 July 1981 |title=Myer purchases Red Rooster fast-food chain |url=https://news.google.com.au/newspapers?id=--NYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VecDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4632,2987079&hl=en |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |page=17 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> alongside five Red Bull [[hamburger]] outlets, which were separate buildings on the same site as Red Roosters.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |date=1 June 1982 |title=Mac looks West |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1311110227/view?sectionId=nla.obj-1604659263&partId=nla.obj-1311199902#page/n99/mode/2up |magazine=[[The Bulletin (Australian periodical)|The Bulletin]] |page=101 |via=[[Trove]] |volume=102 |issue=5316}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Porter |first=Ian |date=10 July 1981 |title=Myer grabs Red Rooster in big move into fast food |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hDNVAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA16&article_id=6323,4314074 |work=[[The Age]] |page=16 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> After the deal, Peter Kailis retained his positions as chairman and general manager.<ref name=":1" /> 

=== Myer (1982{{En dash}}2002) ===
In 1986, Coles Myer bought the Big Rooster chain to expand into the eastern states (except non-[[Baiada Poultry|Steggles]]' Queensland stores, formerly known as "Big Rooster", which were purchased in 1992), and renamed the stores "Red Rooster".<ref>{{cite news|title=Coles Myer buys Big Roosters|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131705108?searchTerm=%22big%20rooster%22%20%22red%20rooster%22&searchLimits=sortby=dateDesc|access-date=26 March 2015|newspaper=[[Canberra Times]]|date=21 May 1986|page=29}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Beyer|first=Mark|title=Red Rooster/Chicken Treat in $180m private equity deal|url=http://www.wabusinessnews.com.au/en-story/1/51087/Red-Rooster-Chicken-Treat-in-180m-private-equity-deal|access-date=16 June 2011|newspaper=[[Business News (Australia)|Business News]]|date=17 April 2007}}</ref> [[Big Rooster]] remains operational in [[Papua New Guinea]]. 

=== Modern era (2003{{En dash}}) ===
In 2002, Red Rooster was purchased by Western Australian company [[Australian Fast Foods]],<ref>{{cite web | date=30 April 2002 | title=Australian Fast Foods acquisition of Amalgamated Food & Poultry Pty Ltd | work=[[Australian Competition & Consumer Commission]] | url=http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/476499 | access-date=18 July 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716062241/http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/476499 | archive-date=16 July 2007}}</ref> which owned the competing Chicken Treat fast food chain.  In 2007, both chains were sold for $180 million to a consortium formed by the management and [[Quadrant Private Equity]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Carson|first=Vanda|title=Consortium buys Red Rooster|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/business/consortium-buys-red-rooster/2007/04/16/1176696758572.html|access-date=16 June 2011|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=17 April 2007}}</ref>

In 2009, the Red Rooster chain in New Zealand closed its stores.<ref>{{cite web|title=Liquidators' First Report Red Rooster Franchising (NZ) No.3 Limited (In Liquidation)|url=http://www.mmh.co.nz/documents/reports/redrooster3first.pdf|work=Meltzer Mason Heath|access-date=16 June 2011|date=24 September 2009}}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The first New Zealand outlet, in [[Takanini]], had opened in December 2004.

In 2010, Red Rooster changed company-owned stores to franchises.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sonti|first=Chalpat|title=Red Rooster result affected by franchise conversions|url=http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/red-rooster-result-affected-by-franchise-conversions-20101116-17vpz.html|access-date=16 June 2011|newspaper=[[WAtoday]]|date=17 November 2010}}</ref> In 2011, Quadrant Private Equity sold parent company Quick Service Restaurant Holdings (later renamed [[Craveable Brands]]) to [[Archer Capital]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Ooi|first=Teresa|title=Archer buys up $450m worth of quick chicken|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/industry-sectors/archer-buys-up-450m-worth-of-quick-chicken/story-e6frg9h6-1226074537350|access-date=16 June 2011|newspaper=[[The Australian]]|date=14 June 2011}}</ref> 

In 2019, ownership switched to PAG Asia Capital, a private equity group based in [[Hong Kong]], who bought Craveable Brands for about $500 million.<ref name="WatersSMH">{{cite web |last=Waters |first=Cara |date=12 July 2019 |title=Red Rooster and Oporto snapped up in $500 million deal |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/small-business/red-rooster-and-oporto-snapped-up-in-500-million-deal-20190712-p526rf.html |access-date=4 March 2023 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |publisher=Nine Entertainment Co}}</ref> In Queensland later that year, seven Red Rooster stores on the Sunshine Coast closed when the franchisee went into [[Administration (law)|voluntary administration]].<ref name="News7stores">{{cite news |last1=Carey |first1=Alexis |title=Red Rooster outlets shut up shop in Queensland after franchisee put into voluntary administration |url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/red-rooster-outlets-shut-up-shop-in-queensland-after-franchisee-put-into-voluntary-administration/news-story/2734b7db03eb54a1db1f44e652d42e82 |access-date=23 December 2019 |agency=News.com.au |date=16 October 2019}}</ref>

The demographer [[Bernard Salt]] has noted that Red Rooster restaurants in Sydney are almost all in [[Greater Western Sydney]], with the 'Red Rooster Line' dividing the city between the richer east and north, and the poorer west and south.<ref name="HoniSoit">{{cite news |last1=Chrysanthos |first1=Natassia |last2=Ding |first2=Ann |title=Food fault lines: mapping class through food chains |url=https://honisoit.com/2017/09/food-fault-lines-mapping-class-division-through-food-chains/ |access-date=14 March 2024 |date=22 September 2017}}</ref>

==Marketing and promotions==
[[File:REROWG0011 Shot1 1080x1080 v1.png|thumb|Red Rooster [[Fried Chicken]]]]
In 2009, Red Rooster ran an advertising campaign called "They don't get it in America" featuring comedian [[Tom Gleeson]] in the United States asking people about Red Rooster.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/news/strewth-blue-reds-in-vogue/news-story/0f61407777a1c76447868870be3816c1|title=Ginger ninjas invade our TV screens|publisher=[[News.com.au]]|first=Holly|last=Ife|date=2009-09-17|access-date=2017-05-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bestadsontv.com/ad/18711/Red-Rooster-They-dont-get-it|title=Red Rooster: They don't get it|publisher=Bestadsontv.com|date=2009-01-06|access-date=2017-05-25}}</ref>

In 2010, Red Rooster was a sponsor of [[Supercars Championship]] team [[Walkinshaw Andretti United|Holden Racing Team]]. In 2016, the team returned as the title sponsor of the [[Sydney SuperSprint|Sydney SuperNight 300]].

In 2011, Red Rooster changed to promoting its restaurants as healthy, fresh and quick.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redrooster.com.au/ |title=Red Rooster |publisher=Red Rooster |date=2009-10-06 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref>

Red Rooster launched its trial delivery service through [[Menulog]] in September 2014 from the [[Baulkham Hills, New South Wales]] restaurant,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.menulog.com.au/red-rooster-baulkham-hills |title=Red Rooster Baulkham Hills |access-date=10 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018095542/http://www.menulog.com.au/red-rooster-baulkham-hills |archive-date=18 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> in partnership with [[Menulog]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.insideretail.com.au/blog/2014/07/25/red-rooster-trials-delivery/|title=Red Rooster Trials Delivery|access-date=1 December 2014|archive-date=17 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017061608/http://www.insideretail.com.au/blog/2014/07/25/red-rooster-trials-delivery/|url-status=dead}}</ref> As well as delivery to homes, it was announced delivery options to businesses, sporting clubs and local organisations would be available.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goodfood.com.au/eat-out/news/mcdonalds-home-delivery-takes-off-across-australia-20140805-3d63m|title=McDonald's home delivery takes off across Australia|first=Jane|last=Holroyd|date=6 August 2014|website=Good Food}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of fast-food chicken restaurants]]
* [[List of restaurant chains in Australia]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==

* {{Cite journal |last=Murray |first=Andrew |date=2018 |title=A faster taste: Red Rooster and the architecture of Australian fast food |url=https://australia.icomos.org/wp-content/uploads/A-faster-taste-Red-Rooster-and-the-architecture-of-Australian-fast-food-vol-30-no-2.pdf |journal=Historic Environment |volume=30 |issue=2 |pages=100{{endash}}111}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}
*{{Official website|www.redrooster.com.au}}

{{Establishments serving chicken}}
{{Food chains in Australia}}

[[Category:1972 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of Australia]]
[[Category:Fast-food franchises]]
[[Category:Fast-food poultry restaurants]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1972]]
[[Category:Restaurants in Sydney]]