EXCLUSIVE: Red Rooster goes halal: Fast food chain is trialling pork-free GRAVY for stores with growing Muslim populations

  • Chicken chain Red Rooster is trialling halal gravy at a south-west Sydney store
  • Company has been experimenting with pork fat-free sauce at its Bass Hill outlet
  • The trial has occurred in a suburb when 28 per cent of residents are Muslim
  • Red Rooster spokeswoman Lisa Owen said they had received 'many requests' 

By Stephen Johnson For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 19:40 EDT, 17 October 2018 | Updated: 20:11 EDT, 17 October 2018

One of Australia's biggest roast chicken restaurant chains is trialling a halal gravy as it chases the Muslim dollar in areas where the Islamic population is surging.

Red Rooster's traditional gravy sold at its 360 stores contains pork fat and has been a popular sauce to put on the chicken and chips since the company began in 1972.

The chicken chain's Bass Hill store in south-west Sydney has been trailling halal gravy for two weeks - in a suburb where 28 per cent of residents are Muslim.

One of Australia's biggest roast chicken restaurant chains is trialling a halal gravy that won't offend Muslim customers (pictured is the Bass Hill store in south-west Sydney) 

One of Australia's biggest roast chicken restaurant chains is trialling a halal gravy that won't offend Muslim customers (pictured is the Bass Hill store in south-west Sydney) 

Red Rooster's traditional gravy sold at its 360 stores contains pork fat and has been popular sauce with a quarter chicken and chips since the company began in 1972

Red Rooster's traditional gravy sold at its 360 stores contains pork fat and has been popular sauce with a quarter chicken and chips since the company began in 1972

Company spokeswoman Lisa Owen told Daily Mail Australia Red Rooster was reviewing its existing gravy containing pork.

'We have had requests from many people,' she said.

The trial at the company-owned Bass Hill outlet, which isn't a franchise, would see whether a new gravy could be produced that was suitable for both Muslims and vegetarians.

'This is a trial that will roll out across our stores,' Ms Owen said.

The chicken chain's Bass Hill store (pictured) in south-west Sydney has been trailling halal gravy for two weeks - in a suburb where 28 per cent of residents are Muslim

The chicken chain's Bass Hill store (pictured) in south-west Sydney has been trailling halal gravy for two weeks - in a suburb where 28 per cent of residents are Muslim

'It's a trial to see what the flavour base is like.

'It's a very long-winded process to bring a product to market.' 

Red Rooster continues to serve bacon in its burgers and doesn't pay third-party Muslim groups to certify that its products are halal.

Should the trial prove successful, Red Rooster would consider offering traditional gravy and halal gravy choices.

Red Rooster also has a store at Lakemba (pictured) , in south-west Sydney, where 59 per cent of its residents are Muslim

Red Rooster also has a store at Lakemba (pictured) , in south-west Sydney, where 59 per cent of its residents are Muslim

In Sydney, Red Rooster's 20 stores are mainly scattered in suburbs with a higher proportion of migrants.

It doesn't have any outlets in Sydney's affluent areas such as the North Shore or the eastern suburbs. 

The chain, however, does have a store at Lakemba, in south-west Sydney, where 59 per cent of residents are Muslim. 

Advertisement

Chicken chain Red Rooster is trialling a halal gravy in a heavily Muslim suburb in south-west Sydney

Most watched News videos

Comments 8

Share what you think

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

What's This?

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.