2012: The first fryer, the first queues
Kung Fu Chicken started trading in Braamfontein in 2012, close to the energy of the Johannesburg CBD and the student and working crowd that moves through the area every day. The first menu was simple and focused, with fried chicken pieces, wings and family meals prepared to travel well for takeaway, and to come out hot when eaten on site.
Those early weeks shaped the way the business still works today. Portions had to be generous, service had to be quick, and the cooking process had to stay consistent even when load-shedding, busy lunch periods or sudden weather changes pushed the kitchen hard. The first regular customers came back for the same reason many still do now, which was the flavour and the value.
- Opened in Braamfontein in 2012
- Focused on fried chicken, wings and family meals
- Built around fast service and steady quality
- Started serving both dine-in and takeaway customers
2013 to 2014: Learning the rhythm of Johannesburg
In the next two years, the team refined the way orders moved through the kitchen, from seasoning and frying to packing and handing over. This was also the period when more local customers began ordering for office lunches, student groups and family gatherings after work. The menu stayed familiar, but it became easier to order in larger quantities for groups that wanted food they could share without fuss.
The business learned that Johannesburg customers value reliability. If a meal box is meant for a meeting in Braamfontein or a Friday supper in Soweto, it has to arrive with the same texture and portion size every time. That attention to detail helped build trust with customers who were planning around tight schedules and short lunch breaks.
- Improved packing for takeaway and group orders
- Expanded regular trade from families, students and workers
- Set the standard for consistent portions
- Built a kitchen rhythm that worked during peak trade
2015 to 2017: Catering becomes part of the business
As word spread, Kung Fu Chicken began taking on more catering work for birthdays, church gatherings, school functions and corporate lunches. This was a turning point because the team was no longer only cooking for walk-in customers. It had to plan for larger numbers, exact delivery times and different serving styles, from wings platters to event meal boxes and crew meal drops.
By this stage, the business had also become more practical in how it served Johannesburg and surrounding areas. Orders for offices in Sandton, events in Randburg and family functions in Pretoria needed food that stayed neat, tasty and easy to hand out. The kitchen kept the same flavour profile, but the setup became more organised with bigger batch prep and clearer dispatch planning.
- Started serving birthdays, school functions and church events
- Added party catering and corporate lunches to the work mix
- Developed systems for larger orders and timed delivery
- Served customers across more parts of Gauteng
2018 to 2019: Growing the branch footprint
With demand growing, Kung Fu Chicken moved from being a single-spot favourite to a business with a wider footprint. Branch growth followed customer patterns, especially in places where people wanted quick meals, reliable takeaway and family-sized portions close to home or work. Soweto, Pretoria Central and Midrand became important service points as the business extended its reach.
These years were also about keeping standards tight while the footprint widened. A customer collecting lunch in Braamfontein needed the same experience as someone ordering a family bulk meal in Midrand. The team worked on kitchen training, customer care and branch coordination so that the food and service stayed steady from one area to the next, not perfect every day but properly looked after.
- Expanded into key service areas including Soweto and Midrand
- Added Pretoria Central as part of the growing branch network
- Strengthened branch-to-branch consistency
- Improved order handling for busy suburban and city customers
2020 to 2021: Serving through difficult times
The pandemic period tested many food businesses, and Kung Fu Chicken had to adjust quickly. Trading patterns changed, customer needs shifted, and home delivery became more important for families trying to eat well without going out. The business leaned harder into takeaway, delivery and carefully planned meal boxes, while still supporting local communities where possible.
This period also showed how important food can be during uncertain times. Crew meal drops, family bulk orders and community feeding work mattered more than ever. For many households and organisations, a dependable chicken order was not just a treat, it was a practical solution for a busy or stressful day. The team kept working through the pressure and adapted as regulations changed. It was a tough stretch, but the business held firm.
- Adjusted trading for lockdown and changing regulations
- Expanded delivery and takeaway demand
- Kept community feeding and bulk order support going
- Focused on safe, organised service during uncertain periods
2022 to today: A brand with roots in community and service
From 2022 onward, Kung Fu Chicken continued growing its presence in Braamfontein, Newtown, Sandton, Centurion and Randburg while keeping the original focus on good fried chicken and practical meals. The business now serves a mix of dine-in customers, office teams, school groups, church gatherings and event organisers who need food that is dependable and straightforward to serve.
Today the story is led by Thabo Mokoena, with support from Lerato Dlamini, Sibusiso Khumalo, Naledi Molefe, Kagiso Ncube, Ayesha Patel and Mpho Sekhoto. Each person plays a part in keeping the service moving, from kitchen standards to customer care to event coordination. The business has grown, but the heart of it is still the same as it was in 2012: chicken done properly, in portions people can count on, with enough care to make the meal feel worth it.
- Serves Braamfontein, Soweto, Pretoria, Midrand and nearby business areas
- Supports office catering, party catering and event meal boxes
- Continues to grow through family meals and repeat customers
- Remains centred on value, flavour and reliable service