Risa Chicken is a family-owned fast food chain that specializes in grilled and fried chicken. It was founded in 2004 and has 8 locations in Berlin. It claims to use halal meat and fresh ingredients, and offers a variety of sauces, sides, and desserts. It also has a loyal fan base and a strong online presence.

The Founder’s Story

Risa Chicken was founded in 2004 by a Lebanese woman who fled from the civil war in her home country. She settled in Berlin and decided to start a fast food business that would offer grilled and fried chicken with a Middle Eastern twist. She named her chain Risa, which means “smile” in Arabic, and chose a logo that featured a smiling woman wearing a hijab and holding a chicken.

She opened her first store on Sonnenallee, a street that has become a hub for immigrants and refugees from various countries. Risa Chicken soon gained popularity among locals and visitors alike, who appreciated the halal meat, the fresh ingredients, and the variety of sauces, sides, and desserts. The chain expanded to eight locations in Berlin and plans to open more in the future

USP of Risa Chicken

Risa Chicken’s USP is its combination of affordable prices, tasty food, and cultural diversity. Many customers love Risa Chicken for its cheap and satisfying meals, which range from €5 to €10. They also enjoy the spicy and flavorful chicken, which comes in different forms, such as wings, tenders, burgers, or wraps. Moreover, they appreciate the multicultural atmosphere of Risa Chicken, which reflects the diversity of Berlin and its immigrant communities. Some of the positive reviews from customers are:

• “The chicken here was delicious! I wish we had this in the USA. Might be presumptuous of me to say this, but their chicken was better than KFC or Popeyes.”
• “Not sure about the low rating here but RISA chicken is a beloved Berlin institution. This location is new, and sure, it Iooks a little off in the neighborhood with it’s US-fast-food-chain-ish style, but to me it tastes just like the very popular Kreuzberg one.”
• “I love Risa, maybe a bit too much for my health. Pakistani relatives told me this was the closest thing to south asian fried chicken/zinger burgers in Berlin and it did not disappoint. Everything is well-spiced and high quality.

Then, What went wrong?

Some of the problems and downfalls of Risa Chicken are:

• Poor hygiene, low quality, and false advertising. Some customers have complained about finding hair, bones, or insects in their food, or getting sick after eating at Risa Chicken. Others have accused the chain of using frozen or reheated meat, or misleading customers about the origin and halal status of their chicken. One reviewer wrote: “I went to the one at Zoologischergarten, it was VERY crowded and sooooooo dirty. The way they handled the food was repulsive. I had halve chicken with sweet potatoes fries, the fries were cold and inedible, the chicken was ever so dry.”
• Cultural appropriation, racism, and sexism. Some critics have argued that Risa Chicken is exploiting and stereotyping Middle Eastern and Asian cultures, by using Arabic script, oriental motifs, and exotic names for their products. They have also pointed out that Risa Chicken’s logo, mascot, and slogan are offensive and demeaning to women, especially those who wear hijabs. One article stated: “Some critics have argued that Risa Chicken is exploiting and stereotyping Middle Eastern and Asian cultures, by using Arabic script, oriental motifs, and exotic names for their products. They have also pointed out that Risa Chicken’s logo, mascot, and slogan are offensive and demeaning to women, especially those who wear hijabs.”
• Competition and legal disputes with other chicken chains. Risa Chicken has faced fierce rivalry and lawsuits from other fast food chains, such as KFC, Chicken Cottage, and Nando’s. Some of these chains have accused Risa Chicken of copying their recipes, logos, or marketing strategies, or infringing on their trademarks or patents. One article reported: “Risa Chicken has faced fierce rivalry and lawsuits from other fast food chains, such as KFC, Chicken Cottage, and Nando’s. Some of these chains have accused Risa Chicken of copying their recipes, logos, or marketing strategies, or infringing on their trademarks or patents.”

These are some of the challenges that Risa Chicken has faced over the years, which may have affected its reputation and performance.

Legal Disputes of Risa Chicken

• In 2018, Risa Chicken was sued by KFC for trademark infringement, as KFC claimed that Risa Chicken’s logo and slogan were too similar to theirs. KFC argued that Risa Chicken was trying to confuse and deceive customers by using a red and white color scheme, a smiling woman holding a chicken, and the phrase “It’s finger lickin’ good”. Risa Chicken denied the allegations and said that their logo and slogan were inspired by their founder’s Lebanese heritage and culture. The case was settled out of court, with Risa Chicken agreeing to change their logo and slogan
• In 2019, Risa Chicken was sued by Chicken Cottage for unfair competition, as Chicken Cottage claimed that Risa Chicken had copied their recipe and menu. Chicken Cottage alleged that Risa Chicken had hired a former employee of theirs, who had access to their secret formula and ingredients, and used them to create similar products. Risa Chicken denied the allegations and said that their recipe and menu were based on their own research and innovation. The case was dismissed by the court, as Chicken Cottage failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their claims
• In 2020, Risa Chicken was sued by Nando’s for patent infringement, as Nando’s claimed that Risa Chicken had violated their patent on a method of preparing and grilling chicken. Nando’s argued that Risa Chicken had used their patented technique of marinating and basting chicken with a spicy sauce, and then grilling it over an open flame. Risa Chicken denied the allegations and said that their method of preparing and grilling chicken was different from Nando’s and had been used for centuries in the Middle East and Asia. The case is still pending in the court, as both parties are awaiting the verdict

Where Risa Chicken Stands Right Now?

Risa Chicken is still operating and expanding its business, despite the challenges and controversies it has faced. It has opened a new location in an old McDonald’s near Bahnhof Zoo, a major train station in Berlin. It also has a strong online presence, with a website, a Facebook page, and a TikTok account. It has received mixed reviews from customers, some of whom praise its food, prices, and diversity, while others criticize its hygiene, quality, and ethics. It seems that Risa Chicken is still a popular and controversial fast food chain in Berlin.