Using pressurized oil fryers to cook his chicken quickly Tunick founded his Chicken Delight in Illinois in 1952. He decided to market this method though small take-out outlets and his was the first fast food chain to offer home delivery.
He began franchising his operation and it grew quickly. Tunick expanded into Canada in 1958 and by the mid 1960s Chicken Delight of Canada; Ltd had more than 50 outlets.
Chicken Delight licensed several hundred franchisees to operate its stores. It did not charge its franchisees a franchise fee or royalties; rather, it allowed its franchisees to use its trademark and follow its business methods in exchange for purchasing their cooking equipment and certain supplies from Chicken Delight.
By 1984, Chicken Delight was Canadian-owned with 86 outlets in the United States and 34 in Canada.
History of Chicken Delight
