London restaurant operator 20Ft Fried Chicken has won the first ever Fried Chicken Championships, after battling it out at a live final against 14 other hospitality outfits.
It was 20Ft’s Hot Chicken Burger that wowed the judges on the day, made with double-cooked chicken thighs, spice seasoning, vinegar slaw, habanero honey mayo, pickles, signature hot sauce and a soft sesame bun.
It has been a huge 12 months for founder Stewart Down, as 20Ft Fried Chicken is the sister brand to Black Bear Burger, which won the 2025 National Burger Awards.
“We’re over the moon,” says Down. “The quality of the chicken coming from the other finalists was first-class, so we are super stoked that we have managed to come away with the title.
“It’s about time the industry had a competition like this. We’ve competed in the National Burger Awards, so we know it’s great to get everyone together, as there is a real sense of comradery with all of the different restaurants and traders. There has never been a big spotlight on fried chicken and the awesome fried chicken we’re all doing across the UK, so it has been brilliant to get everyone together to compete in this competition.”
Around the judging table were chefs Melissa Thompson and James Cochran, as well as journalists Daniel Woolfson from The Sunday Times and Tristan O’Hana from H2O Publishing.
London chicken restaurants were celebrating a lot at the event, as the judges awarded third place to Fortune Fried Chicken, while Chick’N’Sours and Butchies came in joint second.
At the cook-off at Big Penny Social in London, chefs competed in three rounds. They put together a ‘Perfect Platter’, filling a tray of classic fried chicken items and sides featuring products from the event sponsors. This was won by Sides, the chicken brand from YouTube stars Sidemen.
The winner of the Loaded Fries round, sponsored by Lamb Weston, was Killa Waffles, while Butchies was awarded the Bloggers’ Choice Award, decided by influencer Kate Ovens.
Sponsors on the day included Carlsberg Britvic, Lamb Weston, Valentine, Chicken Train, PauliG Pro, Westbridge, Conglom International, Prep, Finsbury and Tork.
The Fried Chicken Championships will return in 2027. For those interested in competing, please register at friedchickenchampionships.co.uk
The 2026 Fried Chicken Championships finalists
Mei Mei
Butchies
Killa Waffles
The Restaurant Group
Chick’N’Sours
Fortune Fried Chicken
Twenty Ft Fried Chicken
Wingmans
Sides
The Magic Wingdom
Sam’s Chicken
Smoke Meat and Fire
Clucking Crispy
Birds Fried Chicken
The Nashville Cluck
