New South African fast food chain slowly taking over Shoprite stores
South Africa’s largest retailer, Shoprite, has quietly been expanding its “fast food” chicken network across its stores in South Africa.
Shoprite confirmed to BusinessTech that it has built up around 80 ChicRite outlets over the past few years, with as many as 50 to 60 of those opening in the past year and a half.
Each outlet operates within a Shoprite store and is designed to provide a quick and convenient meal option for customers while they are shopping for groceries.
“It’s about convenience and using our existing store infrastructure where it makes sense. When customers come and do their groceries, they can also grab a bite to eat from a ChicRite,” the retailer said.
The average ChicRite is small and offers a compact menu of about 25 items, with chicken and chips being the most popular choices.
The group said it only introduces the outlets in stores where it expects demand for fast food to be strong.
The decision to focus on fried chicken is not surprising, given the broader trends in South African food preferences.
Chicken remains the country’s most widely consumed source of protein, having become relatively more affordable compared to beef and other meats.
According to research by Cape Town-based consultancy Eighty20, KFC remains South Africa’s most popular fast food chain.
The report noted that approximately ten million people reported purchasing food there in the past four weeks. Chicken Licken, Debonairs, and McDonald’s followed in popularity.
Eighty20’s data also showed that chicken, burgers, and pizza account for about two-thirds of all fast food spending in South Africa, with chicken far ahead of the rest.
Given these preferences, Shoprite’s move to formalise a fried chicken offering inside certain stores aligns with where most of its customers are already spending their money.
Shoprite said the ChicRite outlets build on its existing deli offerings, which already sell cooked chicken and other ready-to-eat foods across its Shoprite and Checkers stores.
“Because chicken is the most popular protein in South Africa, it made sense to curate the offering in stores where there is the strongest demand,” it said.
Shoprite is killing it in South Africa
While ChicRite is still a relatively small operation for the group, its expansion fits within a broader pattern of Shoprite’s diversification over the past few years.
The retailer has been adding new business lines beyond groceries, including pharmacies through its Medirite brand, financial services via the Shoprite Money Market, and a clothing line under UNIQ by Checkers.
It has also moved into pet care with Petshop Science and outdoor goods through Checkers Outdoor.
Shoprite’s approach contrasts with that of some competitors, which have slowed their expansion in a challenging retail environment.
In the most recent financial year, the company opened 194 supermarkets across its main banners in South Africa.
This includes 43 new Shoprite stores, 38 Usave stores, and 29 Checkers stores. Its LiquorShop division added 81 outlets during the same period.
The group also expanded its specialist brands, opening 60 new Petshop Science stores to reach a total of 144 locations, while Checkers Outdoor grew to 28 stores, UNIQ Clothing to 30, and its baby brand, Little Me, to 11.
Shoprite said these moves are part of its ongoing strategy to grow in areas where it previously had a limited presence.
This expansion coincides with strong financial results. For the financial year ending 30 June 2025, Shoprite’s total sales exceeded R250 billion, increasing by R20.6 billion compared to the previous year.
Within its core South African supermarket segment, turnover increased by 5.9%, adding R6.5 billion in sales to an already substantial base of R110.1 billion.
When asked whether ChicRite would be rolled out more widely, Shoprite said it plans to open additional outlets “where we see an opportunity, and if the store space allows for it.”
ChicRite
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