2-Hour Lines for $22

Church's Texas Chicken's debut in China has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm, with the first mainland China store in Shanghai drawing two-hour lines despite the rain. The long queues have even spawned a small side hustle, with people on Chinese resale platforms advertising queueing services for 100 to 150 yuan, or up to about $22.

The first mainland China store, which opened in Shanghai, is handling around 800 to 900 orders a day, according to staff. The price of a six-piece bucket is 89.90 yuan, which is less than the amount some people are willing to pay to have someone wait in line for them.

Church's Texas Chicken plans to develop at least 600 restaurants across China, betting big on the country's appetite for affordable indulgences. The opening of the first store has drawn significant attention on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, with the hashtag 'American fried-chicken giant opens first China store' becoming a hot topic.

## Why it matters The success of Church's Texas Chicken's debut in China is a significant indicator of the country's consumer spending habits. Despite a sluggish economy, there is still a demand for affordable and high-quality food options. The arrival of a new American fried-chicken chain in China shows that there is still an appetite for international brands, and Church's Texas Chicken is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend.

The company's plans to develop at least 600 restaurants across China are ambitious, but the initial response to the first store suggests that there is a strong market for the brand. As the Chinese economy continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Church's Texas Chicken and other international brands navigate the market and adapt to changing consumer preferences.