Fast Food Franchise Buoyed by Jamaica’s Economic Climate

As BirdShack Fried Chicken gets ready to open its fifth store in Jamaica, the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Wayne Cummings, says the strength of the economy and the ease of doing business in the country have given the entity the confidence to spread its wings.

The new store, which will be located at 18-1/2 Red Hills Road, Kingston will be BirdShack’s fifth location since it began operating in the island two years ago, and the first in the Corporate Area.

BirdShack Fried Chicken already has three stores in Montego Bay and one in Ocho Rios.

Speaking with JIS News, Mr. Cummings said that the sooner-than-expected foray into the capital city is based on confidence in the economy.

“When we make these kinds of significant investments, we take matters such as the current economic climate very seriously,” he noted.

Mr. Cummings told JIS News that the Kingston store will open by August 1, in time for Jamaica’s “Emancipendence” celebrations.

The 2,500-square-foot space, which will offer dine-in facilities, will provide 35 new jobs to include managers, cashiers, cooks, prep cooks, servers, among other staff.

Mr. Cummings said the Kingston store is part of a strategic plan to establish multiple outlets in the capital city, as the company continues to spread its wings across the country.

So far, with the five locations, the estimated investment is more than $200 million and nearly 200 persons employed.

Meanwhile, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator, the Hon. Aubyn Hill, welcomed BirdShack’s expansion.

“We are encouraging more companies like BirdShack Fried Chicken to take advantage of the current economic climate and the ease of doing business in Jamaica,” he told JIS News.

“All one has to do is to look at the key economic indicators and the business climate to see that the opportunities that go along with investment have never been better,” he added.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, while addressing business interests in Montego Bay earlier this year, noted that the Government is making it easier to do business in the country.

“It is amazing what is happening in Jamaica, and it is showing the psychology of economics – confidence. The Government is making it easier for people to calculate what the risk factors are, project what the future will be and where you can make wise investments,” he said.

He argued that when people are willing to take risks with their money there is an impetus on the Government to put the measures in place to ensure that the investment is successful.

Mr. Holness said that employees also have a role to play.

“We want employees to know that they are a part of the risk and should value the fact that employment has been created for their benefit. It all works together in a nice partnership,” he said.

BirdShack Fried Chicken is an international franchise operated locally by Árya QSR Limited.