The 2nd Pepsi British QSR & Franchise Awards 2026 will once again recognise one of the UK’s most iconic and fast-moving quick-service categories as the Chicken Brand of the Year finalists are announced.
From heritage chains to flavour-driven newcomers, chicken continues to be one of the most influential segments in British QSR culture.
This year’s finalists for Chicken Brand of the Year include:
- Morleys
- Dallas Chicken
- Favourite Fried Chicken
- Chicken Cottage
- Sam’s Chicken
- Maeme’s Piri Piri
- Chicking
- Pepe’s Piri Piri
- Rio Piri Piri
- Dixy Chicken
These brands have helped shape the UK’s modern fried and grilled chicken scene, each developing strong regional followings, distinctive flavours, and loyal customer bases across local high streets and national delivery platforms.
Alongside the established names, the awards will also highlight a new wave of innovators through the Emerging Chicken Brand of the Year category.
Finalists include:
- Sides
- Coqfighter
- Chicken Shop
- Rooster Shack
- Miami Crispy
- Butchies
- Eat The Bird
- Wingers
These finalists reflect the creative energy transforming chicken menus nationwide.
From premium burger-style builds to piri-piri concepts and elevated casual formats, this year’s emerging finalists demonstrate how competitive, diverse, and quality-driven the UK chicken market has become.
Their rapid expansion, distinctive positioning, and menu innovation mark them as ones to watch as the category continues to grow across the UK.
A spokesperson for QSR CNCT said: “Chicken remains one of the most defining and competitive categories within the UK quick-service landscape. These finalists represent everything that makes it such an exciting space—heritage favourites, regional leaders, and new challenger brands bringing new ideas, new flavours, and new experiences to customers.”
The winners will be announced at the upcoming Pepsi British QSR & Franchise Awards, recognising the qualities that continue to make chicken one of the biggest cultural pillars in the UK’s quick-service and delivery sector.
