When people think of Jamaican cuisine, staples such as jerk chicken, curry goat and ackee and saltfish often dominate the conversation. But for entrepreneurs Mr. Chin, Dejon Duncan and their business partners, another Jamaican favourite deserves a place alongside those iconic dishes: fried chicken.
Long celebrated as a staple of Jamaican culture, fried chicken has evolved into one of the fastest-growing segments of the global fast-food industry. According to Business Insider, this is driven largely by younger consumers and the influence of social media and food culture. The global fried chicken market will expand by between 5 and 7 percent annually over the next decade, with some estimates valuing the sector at more than US$100 billion according to industry analysts.
That data and the belief in the Jamaican brand became the foundation for Jamaica Fried Chicken (JFC), a rapidly expanding restaurant brand bringing authentic Jamaican-style fried chicken to diaspora communities across the United States, with ambitions of becoming a globally recognized Jamaican fast-food chain.
Although the company officially launched on August 15, 2025, the idea had been developing for nearly three years. Mr. Chin first envisioned the concept before sharing it with his business partners, YG Blacks, Young Marley, and Dejon Duncan. Together, they refined the idea, combining their individual experiences and creativity to build what has become one of the fastest-growing Jamaican restaurant brands in America.
For Dejon Duncan, the response has exceeded expectations.
“I’m not going to lie,” he said. “The support has been really great. It’s been genuine.”
According to Duncan, New York has become the company’s strongest market, with locations in Queens and the Bronx receiving exceptional support.
Duncan, who was born and raised in Bradley Lane, Kingston, with family roots in Christiana, Manchester, says maintaining authenticity has always been central to the brand.
“We stick to the whole Jamaica concept,” he explained. “This is our culture.”
He also credits Mr. Chin with creating the vision that started it all.
“I’m going to give Chin his flowers,” Duncan said. “He came up with the whole concept of Jamaica Fried Chicken—the name and everything.”
One of Duncan’s own contributions to the menu was the now-popular ‘Box Food’ concept, inspired by the traditional boxed lunches many Jamaicans grew up enjoying. He explained that the meals were originally prepared during community events called Pull Up Fridays, where the same recipes became local favourites long before the restaurant officially opened.
Today, Jamaica Fried Chicken serves a wide range of customers—from Jamaicans and other Caribbean nationals to Americans from all backgrounds. Alongside its signature fried chicken, the menu includes rice and peas, fish, salmon bites, and house-made sauces, all rooted in authentic Jamaican flavours.
Looking ahead, mr. Chin says the vision extends far beyond the United States.
“We’re trying to take it to the world,” he said. “We’re not ready to franchise, we will do partnerships, but we are thinking bigger than just opening restaurants.”
For young Jamaicans hoping to build something of their own that connects to the culture, Duncan’s advice is straightforward:
“Don’t give up. I’ve tried a lot of things and failed, but I never stopped trying. Fail, learn, try again, and eventually you’ll get your payoff.”
