5 minute read
WIN WIN CHICK-N
Chicken Made With Love
What is Win Win Chick-N’s secret ingredient that makes their fried chicken so popular? Although owner Richard Roberto won’t reveal the recipe, he says, “Win Win’s chicken is made with love.” This little gem of a restaurant is located on First Avenue between Moncton and Bayview Streets. The family-owned business opened with a bang on Canada Day 2018 when customers lined up for a taste.
Richard is no stranger to the restaurant industry; in the Philippines, he owned and operated a 40 seat dine-in gourmet burger restaurant. He chose Steveston as his first location for Win Win Chick-N because he loves the area and visited it frequently with his family for walks, ice cream and fish and chips.
He says, “My family laughed at me, saying it wasn’t the right place to open my business due to all of the coffee shops, sushi and fish and chips restaurants—I said that’s exactly why I want to open it here!”
The restaurant has been such a success that Richard opened a second location in Vancouver on Main Street at S.E. Marine Drive in February 2019, and he is on the lookout for a third space in Metro Vancouver.
While some recipes have Filipino influences, Win Win Chick-N is branded as homestyle chicken. The locally-sourced poultry is ordered fresh daily. Marinades are made in-house and processed foods and preservatives are not used. Richard says, “Our focus is on home-style cooking rather than fast-food style meals.”
Customers can’t get enough of Win Win Chick-N’s unique flavours. The hand-breaded crispy and juicy chicken differs from their competitors.
Customer favourites include the original fried chicken which is sold as a single piece all the way up to 20 pieces. The menu also features combo specials which offers customers an opportunity to try some other popular menu items including the Filipino style macaroni.
The dish is made with a sweet sauce that includes lean pork and hot dog slices. Richard says, “It’s basically a full meal by itself and you get your protein and carbohydrates!” He adds, “In the Philippines, it is everywhere we go – parties, birthdays, gatherings.”
Another big hit is Win Win’s crispy chicken sandwich, and it happens to be one of Richard’s personal favourites. He says, “I’m a big fan of white meat but I love our drumsticks. They are so easy to eat. I also love our sandwich. Eight to 11 ounces of organic breast meat is partnered with a brioche bun. It’s simply delicious and it is really filling!”
Locally sourced potatoes are used to create hand-cut, double-fried French fries; they are made fresh with every order.
What is a meal without dessert to cap it off? Richard’s sister-in-law, Wendy Vergel de Dios, makes personal-sized ube cakes, a traditional Filipino cake made from purple yams. If you are hoping to bring one home, this tantalizing sweet treat can be custom ordered in larger sizes.
In the beginning, Richard was actively involved on all fronts of the business until the two restaurants were up and running. Now he focuses his attention on marketing, monitoring customer feedback and customer service.
“I used to work in sales. I learned how to be on the front line and how to handle the good, the bad and the ugly. I learnt how to be a problem solver.”
Win Win uses social media platforms such as Instagram very effectively. They connect with influencers who are eager to cross-promote on their posts. It benefits the food-loving influencers and helps promote Win Win Chick-N to a wider market.
Clever marketing campaigns help bring in both new and existing customers.
On Valentine’s Day, the restaurant sold Valentine’s bouquets, but not the standard dozen long-stemmed roses. Win Win’s chicken bouquet contained 12 drumsticks and a small ube cake. Richard says, “People loved it!”
Prior to the pandemic, Win Win Chick-N hosted customer appreciation events including selling drumsticks for $1 to say thank you to their customers. These promotions attracted big crowds, and Richard looks forward to seeing them return when it is safe to do so.
The business has always been based on takeout and this helped it survive through the tough days of the pandemic; while many restaurants had to pivot they did not have to. Most of their business is walk-in although orders can also be placed online through Uber, Skip the Dishes, Door Dash or Fan Tuan delivery services.
“It is rewarding to see happy and satisfied customers. To see them smile and nod with appreciation once they taste our chicken makes me feel grateful. We appreciate the support the community has given us. We are here for the long term,” Richard says.
Win Win Chick-N
12160 First Avenue Richmond, BC V7E 3M2 Telephone 778-297-5818
www.winwinchick-n.com
