Korean cuisine Gami Chicken poised to become $60 million business
- Written by The Times
Fast-casual dining chain continues to delight diners with its menu innovations and healthier dishes
As Australians continue to embrace casual dining, Gami Chicken, is poised to become a $60 million Korean inspired fast-casual dining chain. Fuelled by the growing popularity of Korean dishes, Gami Chicken has captivated Australian diners with its flavourful menu innovations and healthier dishes. The distinct combination of authentic Korean cuisine experience that caters to modern dietary preferences has differentiated Gami Chicken in the market.
Despite cost-of-living pressures, Australians continue to spend on dining out and food delivery1, with an overall increase of 2%. Notably, fast food spending has risen by 5% as consumers look for more budget-friendly options. This trend indicates that while Australians are prioritizing value and affordability when eating out, they continue to seek nutritious meal choices2. Gami Chicken has positioned itself perfectly to meet these evolving consumer preferences by offering not just value, but also flavoursome dishes.
Recognising the evolving dietary preferences of Australians, Gami Chicken has innovated its menu to introduce a range of new dishes that cater to health-conscious diners while maintaining the rich, authentic flavors of Korean cuisine. Recent additions such as Bibimbap, Chicken Skewer Plate and Farmer’s Chicken Skewers , Gochujang Chicken, and Gami Bowl demonstrate the Gami's commitment to food innovation.
In 2024, Gami introduced its first-ever grilled chicken menu dishes, including the Mad Gochujang and Honey Garlic Chicken, which feature grilled chicken prepared with three distinct Korean gourmet sauces for a delectable range of flavours. These additions allow diners to enjoy the flavours of Korean cuisine in a healthier format.
“We understand that our customers are seeking healthier dining options without compromising on taste,” said Jun Lee, Executive Director of Gami Chicken. “Our innovative menu aligns with consumers seeking healthier options and offers delicious Korean-inspired meals that resonate with modern Australian lifestyles. With 38 stores in five cities across Australia, the chain is poised to achieve 30% year-over-year in-store revenue growth and expand to 10 locations by the end of 2025.”
The introduction of these healthier choices has not only attracted a new segment of health-conscious customers but also led to increased store traffic and a significant uptick in sales. In fact, Gami Chicken experienced remarkable growth in the second half of 2023, with sales more than doubling. The healthier Korean menu items saw a 172% increase in sales from June 2023 to December 2023, with total sales of these items rising by 152% during the same period.
"Since June 2023, our healthier products have seen impressive growth, with a 463% increase in sales. The introduction of these healthier options has not only expanded our customer base but also increased new revenue creation by 285%. Additionally, the sales composition rate for these products rose from 2.3% to 9.9%, contributing more significantly to our overall revenue," said Jun.
As a community-focused business, Gami Chicken recently introduced the “Big Chicken Big Heart: Taste Good, Feel Good, Do Good” campaign. As part of this campaign, Gami developed a sustainable model where $4 from each Big Chicken (including $2 from Gami Head Office) was donated to the Starlight Foundation, supporting sick children and teens. This campaign aligned with Gami’s commitment to contribute to meaningful causes and make a positive impact on the community, while delivering delicious food. To date, Gami Chicken has donated nearly $200,000 to the Starlight Foundation, while also increasing customer engagement.
Gami Chicken, founded in 2006, serves high-quality food that blends traditional Korean family recipes with the vibrant Melbourne’s Laneway culture. Over the past two decades, Gami Chicken has captured a growing number of Australians’ attention and expanded to 39 stores across Australia. With Gami Chicken continuing to expand and innovate its business, it remains dedicated to offering innovative and delicious Korean cuisine that meets the evolving needs of its customers.
For more information visit www.innoveilgami.com.au
2 https://www.euromonitor.com/article/five-trends-shaping-cooking-ingredients-and-meals
About Gami Chicken
Gami Chicken (Gami meaning ‘beautiful taste’ in Korean) features mouth-watering, high-quality food that is made with care. Specialising in impactful Korean flavours, Gami Chicken offers customers a unique dining experience at its 38 casual dining venues nationally. Gami Chicken offers unique, delicious chicken and vegetarian menu options, all of which are prepared fresh to order using only the very best ingredients. Proudly Australian, while tapping into the rich Korean heritage of its founders, Gami Chicken’s unique taste has been passed down from previous generations and interpreted with an Australian perspective. As well as delicious food, Gami Chicken is known for always serving up a fun restaurant experience, perfect for enjoying a meal with friends and family and larger groups. www.gamichicken.com.au
