Canadian fast food chain announces location of first Northern Ireland store

Mary Brown’s Chicken, one of the largest Canadian-owned quick serve chicken restaurants, has chosen Lisburn Leisure Park for its first ever UK store.

Last summer the chain announced its intention to expand into Northern Ireland, suggesting that multiple restaurants could be on the cards. The brand has now confirmed there will be other openings in Belfast, and across Northern Ireland.

Founded in 1969, the Ontario-based chain is one of the fastest growing franchises in Canada.

It has around 236 units worldwide, with its new store marking a milestone in the brand’s expansion into the UK and Ireland.

It’s part of the brand’s ambitious expansion plans which also include new stores in Pakistan and Mexico this year.

Hadi Chahin, chief executive of Mary Brown’s Chicken, said: “For over 54 years Canadian’s have made Mary Brown’s Chicken their first choice for fresh, hand-cut, hand breaded delicious fried chicken and Taters. We are therefore excited to introduce our legendary fried chicken to the wonderful people of Lisburn.

“What makes MB Chicken special is our delicious, handcrafted menu and genuine hospitality; we have been a beloved tradition in Canada for generations, and we can’t wait to share our passion for delicious, made-from-scratch quality food with our new friends in the UK.”

The brand has said that its new restaurant will be led by quick-service restaurant franchisor, Amit Abhol.

The fast-food chain said it hopes to offer “the people if Lisburn a taste of Canada’s finest fired chicken”.

The menu is set to feature brand staples, including its signature ‘Big Mary’ chicken sandwich and its ‘Double Big Mary’ chicken sandwich.

Also on the menu will be crispy chicken tenders, bone-in signature chicken and its Tater Poutine, which combines hand-cut, breaded and fried potatoes smothered in gravy and cheese.

MB Chicken’s locally-sourced signature chicken, hand-cut taters and coleslaw are prepared by hand in-store and are made from quality ingredients, said the fast-food chain.

The grand opening of the Lisburn store is scheduled for February 21, with doors opening to the public from 11:00am.

The Canadian brand will also be running a promotion on the day of the launch, offering the first 250 customers a free ‘Big Mary’ chicken sandwich.

The new MB Chicken store in Lisburn will open seven days a week from 11am until 11pm.

As well as being able to visit the store, customers will be able to order meals for delivery via the MB Chicken app, as well as from Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats.