The Chicken Shack

What is The Chicken Shack?

Chicken remains the dominant protein on menus within the UK in pubs, bars and restaurants and chicken wings is ranked the second most popular sharing dish.  With indulgence being a mega trend throughout the UK as consumers seek out products and experiences that are considered treats,* we have the perfect solution for you.  

We’re introducing The Chicken Shack – a series of indulgent flavours using our Santa Maria sauces and rubs coated on chicken wings, boneless chicken or cauliflower wings to give you an easy dish to create that is customisable and will drive profitable growth for your customer's business.

*Source: Lumina Intelligence, Menu Tracker Tool, Spring Summer 2021

The Rise of Fried Chicken in the UK&I

  • Driving growth in the sector

    Chicken continues to lead the UK out‑of‑home market as the number one protein, and notably the only one experiencing growth, rising by +4% year‑on‑year. It also stands as the country’s biggest footfall‑driving category, up +4.1%.

  • Global flavour & format influence

    Fried Chicken was synonymous with BBQ and the US, but recently we have witnessed the rise of Asian flavour profiles including Korean, Japanese, Thai & Malaysian amongst others. It’s not just flavours –we have also seen greater levels of fusion between formats and carriers e.g. Fried Chicken Spring Rolls

  • Customisation is fundamental

    The success of Fried Chicken brands in the UK is fundamentally tied to customisable spice and sauce flavours & levels. Customisation allows operators to offer consumers control within a framework. Brands are generating incremental spend through customisation and indulgence - such as dips, add ons and switching up flavour.

The perfect heat scale

Our Chicken Shack heat scale ranks 14 of our indulgent Santa Maria flavours from the flavours of india, Desi Masala, all the way up to the Red Thai at Night – which certainly gives a kick! With plenty of choice, the scale is the perfect visualisation that can be adapted to suit the needs of your customer and makes a great talking point for your customer's business.

Check out our flavour combinations here! 

Check out heat scale

Tap into hot chicken trends

  • Drenched

    Indulgence is in—drenched, dripping, dirty, smothered. Decadent fried chicken is one of the hottest trends right now, loaded with rich, bold sauces on wings, burgers or fries. Elevate your menu with our Santa Maria sauces, perfectly crafted to coat chicken and deliver big, unforgettable flavour every time.

  • Flavour Shakers

    Dry‑flavoured fried chicken is booming, with operators embracing bold, distinctive seasonings. Flavour Shakers add instant impact—used back of house for ease or front of house for added theatre and customisation. Our Santa Maria rubs and seasonings deliver vibrant flavour, consistent quality and simple, reliable execution every time.

  • Chicken Dawgs

    What do you get when you cross a chicken tender with a hot dog? The Chicken Dawg—your ticket into the “snackification” trend. Snack‑sized, low cost and high margin, it uses existing SKUs, works perfectly on the go and is an ideal carrier for global flavours. Simple to execute and even better with Santa Maria sauces and seasonings, it’s an easy, crave‑worthy way to serve the latest flavour trends.

  • Chachos

    Nachos are one of the UK’s favourite dishes, but in a crowded market brands need fresh ways to stand out. Enter our “Chacos”: a fusion of our Santa Maria Nacho Plate topped with succulent, flavour‑packed fried chicken tenders. Familiar yet exciting, it’s a simple way to differentiate, boost spend and serve a dish that works perfectly handheld or plated.

  • Shaker Pots

    Our Santa Maria Shaker Pot concept taps into key OOH trends with a fun, customisable format. Guests grab a pot of fried chicken tenders and fries, then visit the Chicken Shack Flavour Station to mix their choice of wet and dry flavours. Pop on the lid, give it a shake and enjoy a pot bursting with bold, irresistible flavour.

  • The Sando

    This Japanese‑style sandwich has taken the nation by storm. Once filled with sweet ingredients and soft, crustless bread, it’s now a versatile carrier for fried chicken. Commonly paired with flavours like katsu, sriracha or kimchi—and now fused with global influences from the Eastern Med, India and Mexico—it’s a modern, indulgent twist on a sandwich or toastie, perfect for eating on the go.