‘The casual dining model is broken’: Chick ‘n’ Sours closes final sites

Chick ‘n’ Sours has closed its final two standalone restaurants in London after nearly a decade.

The fried chicken group’s two physical sites in Haggerston and Seven Dials shut their doors on Sunday night for the final time.

However, Chick ‘n’ Sours will continue its residencies at the Roof East and Corner Corner food halls in London, remain on delivery platforms and will have a presence at live events and festivals.

Co-founder David Wolanksi wrote on Instagram: “We do what we do because we love it, fuelled by passion and a desire to provide guests with awesome food and memorable dining experiences. But that’s no longer enough these days.

“We hung in there as long as we could but I’m afraid we’ve now reached the point where operating the two restaurants just isn’t viable anymore and it makes no commercial sense to continue. The casual dining restaurant model is broken, but that’s for another post.”

Chick ‘n’ Sours was founded by Wolanski and Carl Clarke after the pair met at Latitude music festival and launched a business to create “a fried chicken shop like no other”.

It began as a pop-up that at one point grew to four physical London restaurants with sites in Spitalfields and Islington.

The pair also launched fast casual restaurant group CHIK’N later rebranded it as Chicken Shop in a partnership with Soho House.

Chick ‘n’ Sours partnered with Deliveroo and Sessions to expand its delivery operation last year.

Wolanksi said the front and back of house team from Chick ‘n’ Sours were looking for work and encouraged other hospitality businesses to get in touch with any opportunities.

He added: “Remember, there are so many awesome independent restaurants out there doing great things but finding it tough out there also. We know things are tight for everyone, but they need you. Go see them and spend your money with them, as the phrase ‘use it or lose it’ has never been so relevant.”