A fast-growing chicken shop empire is set to open its first store in the county near an award-winning park.

Wingers has taken over the lots opposite Greggs drive-thru just outside Milton Country Park, near Sittingbourne.

It will serve a range of chicken products, including tenders, wings, burgers, loaded fries and wraps.

The eatery, which will be taking up the two empty units in Saffron Way, was started Amran Sunner, his brother Dylan, and his dad Bill, who come from the Midlands.

It started during the Covid-lockdowns as a ‘dark kitchen’ and was first franchised in 2022.

Since then, it has opened 13 branches across the country, with the Sittingbourne site being its 14th and the first in Kent.

Josh Birbeck, the marketing director, says it is expected to welcome its first customers on Monday, April 28, after what has been around a £250,000 investment.

He told KentOnline that it is opening in Sittingbourne because of the firm’s strategy of opening in more residential areas, rather than big shopping malls or town centres.

“Our franchisee, who has a background in Dominios, wanted to start his own business,” he said, “he lives in the area and so invested in Sittingbourne.”

It will create between 15 and 20 jobs. The units are on the regenerated Regis Medical Centre site.

Plans for the Greggs drive-thru were first submitted in August 2021, and plans for the extra two lots were submitted in September of that year.

The nationwide bakery opened on February 10 2023, creating 15 jobs.

The development includes a new car park for the award-winning Milton Creek Country Park – an ambition held for 30 years.

Park ranger Kristian Staples previously said: “When it was originally built, an area was set aside.

“Since Greggs have bought the land for their new drive-thru and agreed to build an access road to the country park, an area with 60 spaces will be available to the public."