Is Jang Wen-chi’s Side Business in Trouble? Agency Says Fried-Chicken Brand Has Not Closed

Jang Wen-chi’s fried-chicken business once reached 10 stores across Taiwan, but reports now say the brand may be facing a wave of closures.

The entertainer launched Zha Qi Lai in 2022 after growing up in a salted fried-chicken family. Starting with its first store in Taichung, the brand expanded quickly through company-owned and franchise outlets. Its annual revenue eventually exceeded NT$35 million, while Jang had said she hoped to push it beyond NT$50 million and possibly pursue a future listing.

The chain has since faced the pressures affecting Taiwan’s restaurant industry, including labor shortages and rising raw-material and operating costs. Some franchisees did not renew their agreements. Reports in May said the number of outlets had fallen from its peak of 10 to four, followed by claims that the remaining stores could gradually close by the end of the year.

Jang had previously focused heavily on Zha Qi Lai, reducing her entertainment work. Reports said she had told her agency she wanted to increase her performance schedule and devote more attention to show-business activities again.

Her agency pushed back against the closure reports. “Thank you for everyone’s concern. The weekly magazine’s report differs somewhat from the actual situation. Wen-chi’s entertainment work and Zha Qi Lai’s operations have never conflicted, and both have continued. Zha Qi Lai is indeed making some adjustments, but it has not ended, and future planning and development will continue,” the agency said.

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Thank you for everyone’s concern. The weekly magazine’s report differs somewhat from the actual situation. Wen-chi’s entertainment work and Zha Qi Lai’s operations have never conflicted, and both have continued. Zha Qi Lai is indeed making some adjustments, but it has not ended, and future planning and development will continue.