Manager Tony Maskell, left, and owner Andrew Withers, right, offer a bucket of chicken to, from left, Abdul Hay, Masum Bakth, Azman Ali, Amir Ali and Marie Withers at the opening of the new shop in Whitley
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Fried chicken boss puts his money where his mouth is
By David MillwardNovember 09, 2011
Undercover Boss Andrew Withers has launched the first Southern Fried Chicken cafe in the country which is not a franchise.
The branch in Whitley Wood Road is owned directly by the Woodley-based company which featured in the Channel 4 series in which business owners go undercover to find out what is happening on the shop floor.
Reading businessman Mr Withers was not impressed with what he discovered about the standards, food and staff at his franchises.
The Southern Fried Chicken brand, started by his father in the 1960s, exists as a family restaurant in 70 countries, but has become associated with the late night post-pub market in the UK.
Mr Withers vowed to improve the image of the fast food restaurant and decided to set an example in his home town.
Ray Grantham, spokesman for Southern Fried Chicken owner FFS Brands Ltd, in Headley Road East, said: “This is likely to be the best fried chicken in Reading because it’s to our exact specifications.
“We can exactly demonstrate how it should be done.
“Mr Withers has been around Reading all his life and we are putting our money where our mouth is.”
