The Times Australia
Mirvac Harbourside
The Times Food and Dining

.

Korean cuisine Gami Chicken poised to become $60 million business


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

1 https://www.commbank.com.au/content/dam/caas/newsroom/docs/commbank-iq-cost-of-living-report-may-24.pdf

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

Food & Dining

Italian Lamb Ragu Recipe: The Best Ragù di Agnello for Pasta

Ciao! It’s Friday night, and the weekend is calling for a little Italian magic. What’s better than twirling up a rich, hearty pasta with a glass of bold red wine in hand? The real secret to Italian pasta isn’t just the noodles; it’s those incredible ...

Not all processed foods are bad for you. Here’s what you can tell from reading the label

If you follow wellness content on social media or in the news, you’ve probably heard that processed food is not just unhealthy, but can cause serious harm. Eating a diet dominated by highly processed foods means you’re likely to consume more kil...

Italian Street Kitchen: A Nation’s Favourite with Expansion News on Horizon

Successful chef brothers, Enrico and Giulio Marchese, weigh in on their day-to-day at Australian foodie favourite, Italian Street Kitchen - with plans for ‘ambitious expansion’ to be announced in the coming months.  Italian Street Kitchen: A slice o...

Après Skrew: Peanut Butter Whiskey Turns Australia’s Winter Parties Upside Down

This August, winter in Australia is about to get a lot nuttier. Skrewball Whiskey, the cult U.S. peanut butter whiskey that’s taken the world by storm, is bringing its bold brand of chaos to Aussie shores with Après Skrew: a mash-up of alpine energy...

Mirvac Harbourside

Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an onli...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beau...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data anal...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right c...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in t...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is ...

The Times Features

Do kids really need vitamin supplements?

Walk down the health aisle of any supermarket and you’ll see shelves lined with brightly packa...

Why is it so shameful to have missing or damaged teeth?

When your teeth and gums are in good condition, you might not even notice their impact on your...

Australian travellers at risk of ATM fee rip-offs according to new data from Wise

Wise, the global technology company building the smartest way to spend and manage money internat...

Does ‘fasted’ cardio help you lose weight? Here’s the science

Every few years, the concept of fasted exercise training pops up all over social media. Faste...

How Music and Culture Are Shaping Family Road Trips in Australia

School holiday season is here, and Aussies aren’t just hitting the road - they’re following the musi...

The Role of Spinal Physiotherapy in Recovery and Long-Term Wellbeing

Back pain and spinal conditions are among the most common reasons people seek medical support, oft...

Italian Lamb Ragu Recipe: The Best Ragù di Agnello for Pasta

Ciao! It’s Friday night, and the weekend is calling for a little Italian magic. What’s better than t...

It’s OK to use paracetamol in pregnancy. Here’s what the science says about the link with autism

United States President Donald Trump has urged pregnant women[1] to avoid paracetamol except in ...

How much money do you need to be happy? Here’s what the research says

Over the next decade, Elon Musk could become the world’s first trillionaire[1]. The Tesla board ...