While there are bugger all international franchises in PNG, such as KFC, there is at least one brand you will see across the nation and that is Big Rooster.
Now while the default opinion would be to assume it is just a KFC knock-off, the history and indeed taste say otherwise. The brand itself actually started in Australia and has become part of the culture and folklore in PNG.
In part at least this is because it is not just some fried chicken joint, but a place for proper Papua New Guinean chicken and chips. And while some exclaim it has lost its original zeal, it is still pretty damned popular.
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The Big Rooster Story
Big Rooster actually started in Queensland, Australia, in the 1970s, founded by brothers Phil and Nick Tana. It became a major Australian chicken chain, but the Australian operation was eventually swallowed up by Coles Myer and the stores were rebranded as Red Rooster. PNG was the exception, with the first Big Rooster store opening at 4 Mile in Port Moresby in 1987.
While the Australian Big Rooster name disappeared, the PNG operation survived and became a genuinely local institution. The company expanded across the country and today Big Rooster is owned and run by Papua New Guinean businessman Salim Chamadia, who is its owner and managing director. The company was hit hard by the January 2024 riots, losing around K7 million (approximately US$1.57 million), but has been rebuilding and looking towards further expansion. Yep I remember them riots.
The Menu at Big Rooster
The menu is of course laid out in fast food style, with the main emphasis being on the chicken. They do though of course have other things, such as beef burgers. Alas, I did not get to sample Buffalo Burger as it was closed.
Some examples of the current menu are:
1 Piece Fried Chicken — K7.50 (US$1.68)
Lunch Box — K14.50 (US$3.26)
2 Pieces Box — K22.50 (US$5.05)
3 Piece Fried Box — K28.50 (US$6.40)
1/4 Chicken & Chips — K22.50 (US$5.05)
1/2 Chicken & Chips — K31 (US$6.96)
Whole BBQ Chicken — K40 (US$8.98)
Family Dinner — K72 (US$16.17)
Chicken Burger — K10 (US$2.25)
Beef N Cheese Burger — K13.50 (US$3.03)
Fish Snack — K19 (US$4.27)
Hot Chips, large — K13.50 (US$3.03)
The Taste at Big Rooster
OK, so I had a half chicken and chips as you will see from the video. The chips were exactly that, they were chips. Not KFC French fries. They were perfectly salted, ketchup was available and I just wish I had some PNG salt with me.
The chicken was also perfectly cooked and unlike in much of PNG was not overdone. This is proper PNG-style chicken and chips. Now according to my friends Big Rooster PNG is not what it once was. I cannot comment on this, but they do seem to be contracting rather than expanding.
The venues are also quite weird and in my opinion badly maintained in comparison to Buffalo Burger. In this respect, and as I have been told, they are existing more on memory than quality.
@thestreetfoodguys #indonesia #pngtiktok #portmoresby #bigrooster #visioncity trying booster in Papua New Guinea @paidtotravelnet ♬ original sound – TheStreetFoodGuy
Where can I eat Big Rooster?
There used to be a Big Rooster next to Kuri Lodge in Mount Hagen, that has now closed and has been replaced by an Indian. The one I visited was in Vision City Mall.
The current Big Rooster branch list includes:
Port Moresby: Boroko, Waigani, Koki, Town, Erima, Manu, Hohola, 4 Mile, Cameron, Kone, 14 Mile, Plaza, Vision City and Waigani Central.
Lae: Lae Market, Lae Eriku, Lae 6th Street, Lae Pelgens and Lae Plaza.
Mount Hagen: Mount Hagen opposite St Paul’s Church and Tininga Hagen Central.
Kokopo: Along Timbur Williams Road.
Kundiawa: Kundiawa Town.
Goroka: Elizabeth Street.
The company’s own current branch listing also has Madang marked as “coming soon”, rather than an operating branch.
So, while not amazing (anymore), it still has kitsch value, as well as a great fast food option when you visit PNG.