Taylors Fish & Chips in Stockport, Manchester, is loading up on Keejays’ new Goldfish Brand Curry Dip
For Jamie Toland, manager at Taylors Fish & Chips, the challenge of balancing rising fish prices with customer expectations meant finding new ways to add value to the menu. His solution came in the form of Keejays’ new Curry Dip, which squeezed over loaded chips is not only bringing in a younger audience but also helping boost margins and social media reach.
“We’ve added loaded chips as an alternative because fish is so expensive, and it’s also a way of attracting a younger audience. They have proved massive for us.”
The shop had already been serving three varieties of loaded chips, but Jamie wanted to expand the range and struggled to find the right fit. “I was looking for months trying to find a sauce to go with the chicken, “ he explains, “but it was proving so tricky, because everything was either too sweet or too bland or too overpowering.”
The breakthrough came when the takeaway’s owners, Anne and Bob, tried Keejays Curry Dip. Jamie comments: “As soon as I tasted it, I knew it was the perfect fit. It complemented the chips and the chicken extremely well, and it’s a good quality sauce. When you’re buying good quality chicken and potatoes, you don’t want to ruin them with a poor sauce.”
Taylors cajun loaded chips with shredded chicken, fresh chillies and curry sauce has quickly become the biggest seller of the four varieties, with customers often asking where they get their curry sauce from.
Ease of use has been just as important as flavour. Because Keejays Curry Dip is ready to use, Jamie says it’s quick to serve, doesn’t require mixing and takes up minimal storage. “We just squeeze it straight from the bottle, there’s no extra prep or work involved, it’s so quick and easy to use.”
With loaded fries selling at £6, the margins are favourable too. Jamie explains: “It works out about a pound per portion for the topping. You have to add the cost of the chips and packaging, but it’s still cheaper than a pie.”
Perhaps the biggest impact, though, has been in attracting new customers. “It’s all the youngsters,” says Jamie. “We’ve always said there’s a gap in the market that we were not getting but the burger chains were. There are times in the shop now where I’ve got 12 portions of loaded fries on order.”
Jamie adds that the shop’s social media has seen a surge in engagement. “We were only getting about 10 likes per post. But since posting photos of the loaded chips, our outreach has gone so much further. Before, our audience was 50-year-olds and over, now we’ve got people coming who are 16 and 17 and they come in groups.”
There is just one downside to stocking Keejays Curry Dip, says Jamie, and that staff not being able to resist it. “At the end of the night, if there are some chips left, everyone has them with curry sauce, which speaks for itself,” concludes Jamie.
Jon Kingsbury, national sales manager at Keejays, comments: “It’s fantastic to see our new Curry Dip being used at Taylors! With its versatility it gives operators the opportunity to create new menu ideas and concepts, which is a great way to increase profits. Goldfish brand Curry Dip is the ultimate all-in-one curry companion, perfect accompaniment to every meal.”
Keejays 01473 827304 www.keejays.com
