The cheap roast chicken quietly taking on Australia’s best hot chooks

Roast chickens are an Australian favourite, with approximately 70 million sold every year at supermarkets and popular fast food retailers.

The majority of those come from Coles and Woolworths, with the major supermarkets selling around 20 million each. Between each other, IGA and Costco account for 10 million sales.

It’s the fast-food chains, including Red Rooster, Chargrill Charlie’s and El Jannah, that sell roughly 15-20 million more.

It’s certain: Competition between the country’s major roast chicken retailers is fierce.

So which one comes out on top for value and taste?

Supermarkets

Coles

It’s certainly one of the more convenient stores to grab a chook in a bag, with almost 900 stores dotted around the country, and priced reasonably at $13 each.

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While Coles keeps their core roast chicken product in stock year-round, they often release new flavours. Case in point: From July 8, the supermarket will drop a Butter Chicken-inspired flavour.

Woolworths

Woolies’ roast chickens, also priced at $13, are equally as popular with shoppers.

And the flavours rotated on shelves have included Smokey BBQ, Zeus Street Greek, Garlic Bread and Tandoori Hot.

IGA

It was IGA who claimed the top spot in Canstar Blue’s 2026 Most Satisfied Customer Award for 2026 for their Rottisserie Chicken, beating out Costco, Woolworths and Coles to take the title.

The supermarket chain received strong ratings across the key drivers of customer satisfaction, unseating Costco after its five‑year winning streak.

The price of an IGA roast chook varies as stores are independently owned, but customers can expect to pay between $10.50 and $14.50.

Costco

Roast chickens are one of the biggest sellers at Costco, but you have to be a member to be able to buy them, and an annual membership will set you back $65.

Once you’re in, you can pick up a Kirkland roast chicken for $7.99. Costco sells their roast chickens for less than cost − a clever strategy to entice customers to their stores.

Fast food retailers

Red Rooster

It what can be described as a bold move in chook world, Red Rooster is launching a major promotion from today, selling their Whole Roast Chicken for $10 every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nationally for the next seven weeks.

It means roast chicken lovers can try out one of Red Rooster’s roast chickens for a bargain price, but you have to head into store as it is not available via delivery or click and collect.

On the rest of the week, and after the seven-week promotion ends in August, customers can expect to pay the regular price of $15.95.

Oporto

Oporto sells their Portuguese-inspired roast chickens for $20, however prices can fluctuate depending on the location.

Oporto is credited with introducing Australia to Portuguese chicken, starting at North Bondi in Sydney, introducing traditional churrasco (flame-grilled butterfly chicken basted in citrus, garlic, and chilli) years before anyone else.

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One Oporto fan told us Oporto is their favourite place to get a chicken and chips for its “incredible flavour”.

El Jannah

From their humble beginning in Sydney’s west, El Jannah has built a cult following and has been rapidly expanding across the country, including at new locations in the Sydney CBD.

The Lebanese-inspired cooking process sees their chickens cooked over charcoal rather than gas or electricity, giving their chickens a unique and smoky flavour. A whole roast chicken sells at El Jannah from $23 and comes with their signature garlic sauce.

There are currently 51 El Jannah stores operating across Australia.

Frangos

Frangos Charcoal Chicken is building in popularity in Sydney. These days if you meet an El Jannah fan in Sydney, you’ll likely meet a Frangos fan.

Frangos is Portuguese-inspired chicken, also cooked on charcoal. A roast chook from Frangos sells from $20, depending on how you order.

Customers also credit the “iconic chilli sauce” for being the perfect condiment to dip their chicken in.

However, it’s only New South residents who can enjoy Frangos. There are 17 locations operating across the state.

Chargrill Charlie’s

“Chargrill Charlie’s is a solid and reliable option,” one roast chicken lover said of this Australian icon.

It’s is a premium, wildly popular Australian boutique chicken-and-salad chain that started in Coogee in Sydney in 1989.

There are now 30 locations across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and, interestingly, Chargrill Charlie’s is now owned by Craveable Brands, also the parent company of Red Rooster and Oporto.

A single roast chicken from Chargrill Charlie’s costs between $19.90 to $22.90, depending on the flavour and style you choose.

Nando’s

Nando’s is another Aussie favourite when it comes to delicious and flavoursome chooks.

A single roast chicken from Nando’s costs from $27.95 and these flavoursome birds come with a number of basting and hot and spicy sauce options.

Got a chicken shop you love and want added to this list? Email Jo Abi at jabi@nine.com.au