About us

Southern Fried Chicken began with a single, unforgettable meal.

While visiting Greenville, South Carolina, our founder, Arthur Withers, tasted fried chicken for the first time — and was instantly hooked. Inspired by the bold, authentic flavours of the American South, Arthur brought the recipe home and began building what would become a global brand.

A few days later, on a riverboat cruise in Montgomery, Alabama, the image of a Mississippi steamboat paired with the taste of that fried chicken sparked an idea — one that would evolve into the Southern Fried Chicken experience the world enjoys today.

By 1983, Southern Fried Chicken had established its headquarters and manufacturing base — where we still operate today. From these roots, we’ve grown into an international brand, with franchises and partners spanning over 70 countries, from Mongolia to Malta, Tajikistan to Tenerife.

At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to perfect poultry. Our signature flavours — including our famous lemon pepper blend and fiery Piri Piri range — are crafted using our proprietary 3 Steps to Perfection method, developed through decades of expertise.

Southern Fried Chicken is part of Fast Food Systems, a UK-based company with three key divisions:

  • Vizu – Manufacturer of high-performance stainless-steel equipment for the QSR industry.
  • SFC Ingredients – Suppliers of premium coatings, marinades, and sauces used by restaurants worldwide.
  • Southern Fried Chicken Franchising – Our turnkey solution for operating fully branded restaurants globally.

From a single bite to a worldwide brand, our passion for great chicken continues to shape everything we do. Delivering a simply lip licking flavour — every single time.

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