For many people, including myself, the Chicken Treat on the corner of Canning Highway and Sleat Road was just another cookie-cutter fast food franchise. For many others though, it meant a lot more. It was where many teenagers earned their first pay cheque, where kids looked forward to chicken and chips when they went to stay with mum or dad for the weekend, a place to catch up with friends and for some, it was where the dream of owning a franchise became a reality.

 

Together with the neighbouring Hungry Jack's, it became a familiar stop for people grabbing dinner on the way home, a quick lunch, or something to eat after a late night out.

 

Chicken Treat closes

That all came to an end in February 2026 when the restaurant permanently closed after its lease expired. Chicken Treat confirmed the closure was not its decision, explaining that the landowner had chosen to redevelop the property instead. The company said it would have liked to remain at the site and thanked the many loyal customers who had supported the store over the years.

 

Whilst Hungry Jack's on the same property is yet to close, both restaurants are set to be demolished to make way for a major commercial redevelopment.

 

Development approval

Only weeks before the store closed, the Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel approved a $60 million proposal to replace the two fast food outlets with a 16-storey mixed-use office building. The development will include three ground-floor shops, a restaurant and office space occupying the upper floors.

 

The proposal was approved by a narrow three votes to two. While the City of Melville's representatives supported redeveloping the site, they opposed the application because they believed it did not provide enough parking. The plans include 158 car bays, around 100 fewer than normally required, along with 46 motorcycle bays and 134 bicycle spaces. Planning officers argued the reduced parking was intentional, encouraging people to use nearby public transport, including Canning Bridge railway station, frequent bus services along Canning Highway and the Applecross ferry.

 

Planning officers considered the building's height appropriate, given the surrounding high-rise development within the Canning Bridge Activity Centre. The developers described the project as a commercial office building rather than a community facility, while supporters said bringing an estimated 750 to 800 workers into the area each day would create more business for nearby cafés, restaurants and other local traders.

​

Public opposition

The redevelopment was not without opposition. Thirty-four objections were lodged during public advertising, compared with just one submission supporting the proposal. Conditions of approval also required the developer to pay for the replacement of street trees after one tree on the Sleat Road verge was removed without the City's authorisation. Main Roads also advised that part of the land may eventually be needed if Canning Highway is widened in the future, although no upgrade is currently planned.

 

Chicken Treat’s 50th Anniversary

The Applecross store closed in the same year that Chicken Treat celebrated its 50th anniversary. While the company described losing the restaurant as disappointing, it said it would continue expanding elsewhere, having recently opened new stores in Golden Bay and Anketell.