BIRD hoping to spread its wings in 2016
After launching in Shoreditch in 2014, the group are opening two new venues in Islington in October and Camden in November.
Founders Paul Hemings and Cara Ceppetelli told BigHospitality: “We've had the good fortune of having the opportunity to open two new sites within a couple of months of each other, which is a tough task. So we're very focused on our standards and making sure that the three we'll have are as strong as they can be.
“Beyond that, we'd love to continue growing BIRD. There are several areas both inside and outside London we'd love to be in if the opportunities arise. We hope 2016 has more growth in it for us.”
Evolving
While the group’s upcoming 55-cover Camden site will be its smallest yet, Hemings and Ceppetelli said it would feature a number of ‘evolutionary changes’ as the brand developed.
“With the size we've got we'll be focusing on fast table service, and for the first time you'll see a small area inside the restaurant dedicated to accommodating take-away trade with an easier ordering and pick-up system."
Naughty and nice
The duo credited BIRD’s ongoing success to its dedication to providing both a tasty and ethical product.
They said: “We know we're not re-inventing the wheel here. We just wanted to provide an option for high quality fried chicken in a restaurant setting; somewhere people would feel as comfortable going on a date as bringing their kids, where the food and the people have some integrity and honesty.
“I think people value that even when it comes to a simple dish like fried chicken. It can be naughty and still be nice, hence why we're 'free range & fried'. Overall people's response to that has been positive which makes us very proud."
BIRD’s free-range dishes include The Nashville Hot burger (fried chicken coated with extra hot cayenne glaze, melted American cheese, house kewpie mayo and pickles), the Original Waffle Burger, and its famous Peanut Butter Glaze and Oreo Crunch doughnuts.
