Viral success Fricken opens in heart of Broadbeach

The Gold Coast’s culinary scene just got a new player, with a family recipe ‘so good’ these brothers dumped their former careers to follow a dream into the world of hospitality.

From mumma’s secret recipe to its first bricks and mortar stores – a new finger lickin’ family-run chicken chain has opened in the heart of Broadbeach.

Think burgers, boxes, sides galore and healthy alternatives – Fricken (a play on fried chicken) – is the newest viral sensation to sweep the Gold Coast.

A new venue - Fricken - has opened up on the Gold Coast, Mo Saad owner and Frida Naranjo front of house staff. Picture: Annette Dew

Co-owner Mo Saad said what started as a family passion project has turned into a roaring success with more locations on the horizon.

“We started Fricken as a side hustle, launching a food truck seven plus years ago in Canberra all based around mum’s recipe,” he said.

“We all had different career paths at the time, but we always believed in the product.”

Food at a new venue - Fricken - has opened up on the Gold Coast. Picture: Annette Dew

The food truck was a hit, so Mo along with his brother Marwan Saad and their wives Heather Saad and Manal Jbeili dived in, opting to bring Fricken to the sunny Gold Coast while saying goodbye to their former careers.

Food at a new venue - Fricken - has opened up on the Gold Coast, Pic Annette Dew

“We were on the hunt for a little while and found the perfect spot on the corner of Surf Pde, near the roundabout where Starbucks is and we couldn’t resist,” Mo said.

“We got a really talented designer to give it a pop of colour to show off the Gold Coast lifestyle and pulled it off really quickly to open in time for the Easter long weekend – and it’s been a great success so far.”

Food at a new venue - Fricken - has opened up on the Gold Coast, Pic Annette Dew

Chicken lovers can expect crispy or grilled chicken burgers and boxes, wraps and bowls, house made sauces, crispy tenders with a whole variety of toppings, truffle boxes with parmesan and as Mo puts it, “something for everybody”.