SmartCompany50 rank: 33
Revenue: $21.8 million
Growth: 41%
Founders: Steve Hansen, 55
Based: Western Australia
Employees: 10
Industry: Retail trade
Website: www.chooks.com.au
Steve Hansen started Chooks fresh & tasty in 1991 when the franchise system he was a part of was taken over, so he decided to become a franchisor and identified a niche: mums and dads and blue collar families wanted the freshest chicken and chips at an economic price.
Providing both fried and barbecue chicken helps it stand out from its competitors.
It passed the $1 million revenue mark in a year and aims to have 200 stores in five years.
Currently there are 34 franchisees, with most profitable. Hansen, who is known as chief chook, says he helps his chickens (franchisees) “farm” their businesses.
The industry is changing fast, with the fast food industry becoming more environmentally conscious. Franchisees are adapting, using paper bags and having products analysed for nutritional value. Oil is recycled and pure vegetable oil is used.
