Remember when Fricken was just a single food truck dishing out golden, crispy chicken on the streets?  

What started in 2018 as a way for brothers Mo and Marwan Saad, along with partners Heather and Manal, to share their family’s Sunday night fried chicken recipe is about to get a whole lot bigger.  

This July, the homegrown brand is launching its most ambitious venue yet, a major new flagship store right in the middle of Canberra Centre. 

 

From Braddon Roots to a City Flagship 

Over the past eight years, Fricken has grown across Canberra and expanded to the Gold Coast, but the new Canberra Centre store marks a major homecoming for the family-run business. 

The Braddon food truck and shop front holds a lot of history for the brand, but the Canberra Centre flagship is designed to show exactly what the brand can become. 

Rather than a quick grab-and-go counter, the new space will offer plenty of room to sit down and settle in. It will also feature a refreshed look and a fully electric kitchen powered by renewable energy. 

 

Australia’s First Fully Gluten-Free Froyo Bar 

Perhaps the biggest surprise is a self-serve frozen yoghurt bar that will be completely gluten-free. 

For coeliacs and gluten-sensitive diners who often have to avoid dessert bars because of cross-contamination, it’s a massive win. 

The bar will feature a custom line-up, including a signature peach froyo inspired by Fricken’s refreshed branding, alongside dairy-free options and plenty of toppings.

 

Smashed Burgers and Bone-In Chicken 

The savoury menu is expanding too. 

Alongside the classic chicken burgers and tenders that built Fricken’s following, you can expect premium smashed beef burgers, bone-in fried chicken, and fresh poke bowls.  

The team is also bringing some of the most popular dishes from its Queensland locations back to Canberra, creating its broadest menu yet. 

It’s a long way from the early food truck days, but the focus remains the same: family recipes, crispy chicken and plenty of food worth coming back for. 

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: 

Location: Canberra Centre, Civic

Dates/Times: Opening early July 2026

Ticketing/Booking: Walk-ins welcome 

 

Find out more HERE