MOSCOW and ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Texas Chicken, the international brand of U.S.-based Church's Chicken, continues to expand its brand overseas. European Active Corp. (EAC) has been awarded the rights to open 100 restaurants over the next seven years in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. The company recently opened stores in the Moscow and St. Petersburg markets.
"We are committed to the expansion of Texas Chicken in Russia and beyond," said Yuri Tetrov, president of EAC. "I'm very proud of my decision to get involved with a family-oriented brand that has a passion to serve the best fried chicken overseas."
On Nov. 30, the first Texas Chicken restaurant opened in Shelkovo, Russia. On Dec. 2, the second restaurant opened in the Piter Raduga Shopping Mall in St. Petersburg, with plans for two more store openings by the end of the year in the Moscow and St. Petersburg markets.
"The key to long-term success in the restaurant industry is in international business," said Harsha V. Agadi, CEO of Church's Chicken. "Forecasted increases in commodities and rising labor costs in the U.S. will have serious impact on operating margins domestically, so the challenge is to offset greater operational efficiency onshore while expanding overseas."
Although chicken is the primary meat consumed in Russia, adjustments were made to the menu to suit the local palate. For instance, seafood and ice cream are core menu items, the mashed potatoes are yellow in hue and the coleslaw is less sweet than the American version.
