Healthier fried chicken option coming to New Glasgow, N.S.

NEW GLASGOW, N.S. — The local KFC will have some competition as a new fried chicken restaurant is coming to town.

Chicks R Us, a restaurant a part of Genuine Broaster Chicken, an American company, aims to open in March with a soft launch, said Ronaldo Gomas, the CEO of Chicks R Us. The restaurant will be located near the Sobeys on New Glasgow’s west side.

“It’s totally fast-food, but it’s also a healthier option,” Gomas said during a phone interview on Jan. 8.

Family Business

When asked what inspired him to start Chicks R Us, especially after opening Chatime with his wife, Raychel Luna, in August 2022, he said he wanted to bring a healthier alternative to fried chicken to the region.

“I started because I have two kids, a six year old and my daughter, she’s three year old. Everytime we go to Halifax, they’re always looking for chicken, and we’re looking for something healthier” he said with a laugh.

He added that his wife’s sister, Reyane Lulu and her husband, Robin, were also looking to start their own business, so they came together to start Chicks R Us under Genuine Broaster Chicken.

“The name is ours,” he said, “our names all started with the letter ‘R,’ so we called it ‘Chicks R Us.’”

Food expectations

A broaster chicken is different from your typical fried chicken, Gomas said. The process of deep frying it in a pressure cooker means that while it’s crispy on the outside, it remains juicy on the inside and is not oily at all.

“This is a unique way of cooking, and this is what I like,” he said.

It won’t just be fried chicken on the menu, said Gomas. They have an open agreement with Genuine Broaster Chicken, meaning that along with the standard Genuine Broaster Chicken menu, they have room to have an additional menu unique to the location. While Gomas said he can’t say precisely what will be on that menu, he’s also looking at offering chicken sandwiches, poutine and spring rolls.

Background in food service

Gomas said that he and his family are excited to dive into this new project, especially since they all have a background working in the food service industry in management positions in the Middle East and Atlantic Canada.

He added that they’re all from the Philippines, from the province of Pampanga, known as the country’s culinary capital.

“We are so excited to open this new business tentatively by this coming March 2024 and looking forward to serving our community with this new broaster chicken.”