The Chicken Licken Fly Thru® is Chicken Licken’s registered trademark for their drive-through service — one of the earliest drive-through concepts in South Africa, introduced in 1976 by founder George Sombonos after he observed Wendy’s drive-through service during a visit to the United States.
Today, the Fly Thru® is available at most Chicken Licken locations across South Africa, allowing customers to order and collect their food without leaving their car. The full Chicken Licken menu is available at the Fly Thru®, including Hotwings®, Family Meals, Buckets, Burgers, and Specials at the same prices as dine-in. Some Fly Thru® locations operate 24 hours. Use the official store locator to find your nearest Fly Thru®.
Checkout complete chicken licken menu and prices.
The Fly Thru® is Chicken Licken’s official registered trademark name for their drive-through service. The “Fly Thru” name is unique to Chicken Licken, it’s not a generic drive-thru but a branded service experience that has been part of Chicken Licken’s identity since the 1970s.
Unlike competitor drive-throughs that go by generic names, the Fly Thru® is a named brand feature, the same way McDonald’s calls theirs a “drive-thru” and KFC uses “drive-thru,” Chicken Licken has their own branded version: the Fly Thru®.
The origin story — confirmed from Wikipedia: George Sombonos introduced the drive-through concept to the Dairy Den (his father’s restaurant in Ridgeway, Johannesburg) in 1976 after observing the concept at Wendy’s restaurants during a visit to the United States. When he opened the first Chicken Licken restaurant in 1981, the drive-through service became part of the offering from day one making Chicken Licken one of the earliest adopters of drive-through fast food in South Africa, a full decade before most SA chains had drive-throughs.
Some Chicken Licken Fly Thru® locations operate 24 hours, particularly standalone branches in township areas, along national routes, and near petrol stations. Mall-based Chicken Licken outlets close with the mall and are not typically 24 hours. The fastest way to find a 24-hour Chicken Licken Fly Thru® near you:
Important: 24-hour status changes based on branch management decisions, public holidays, and local regulations. Always confirm before a late-night trip. Full Chicken Licken trading hours guide →
The full Chicken Licken menu is available at the Fly Thru®, you do not get a reduced or limited menu for ordering through the drive-through window. Everything available inside the restaurant is available at the Fly Thru®.
| Item | Price | Why it’s popular at Fly Thru |
|---|---|---|
| Hotwings® 12 Pieces Most ordered |
R82 | Quick to prepare · easy to eat in the car · no utensils needed |
| Hot Wings Meal 8 | R65 | Complete meal with drink · popular for lunch on the go |
| Chicken Licken Box | ~R30 | Fastest service at Fly Thru · budget-friendly solo meal |
| Hotwings® 24 Pieces | R150 | Group orders · families picking up on the way home |
| Family Full House | R145 | One-stop family pickup · the most complete Fly Thru meal |
| Big John™ Burger | ~R65 | Car-friendly · quick to hand out at the window |
Follow the Fly Thru® signage at your nearest Chicken Licken. Pull into the drive-through lane and join the queue. At busy times (lunch 12–2 PM, dinner 6–8 PM) expect a short wait.
At the order point, state your full order clearly — item name, quantity, and any customisations (extra sauce, no specific sides). Have the menu handy if you're unsure — see our full menu guide.
The staff member will repeat your order and give you the total. Confirm it's correct before moving forward to avoid order mistakes at the collection window.
Most Fly Thru® locations accept both cash and card (debit + credit). Some high-traffic locations also accept tap-to-pay. Always have cash as a backup — not all branches have card machines at the window.
Collect your bag at the pickup window. Check your order before pulling away — confirm all items, sauces, and sides are included. It is much harder to resolve missing items once you have left the premises.
The fastest Fly Thru® experience is mid-afternoon (2–4 PM) or late evening (after 8 PM) on weekdays. Avoid Friday lunch and Saturday dinner — these are peak times at most SA Fly Thru® locations.
| Payment method | Accepted? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cash (ZAR) | Yes — all locations | Always accepted. Have correct change if possible during peak hours |
| Debit card | Yes — most locations | Most Fly Thru® branches have card machines at the window |
| Credit card | Yes — most locations | Visa and Mastercard accepted at most locations |
| Tap-to-pay / contactless | Select locations | Available at newer/higher-traffic locations — not universal |
| EFT / bank transfer | No | Not available at the drive-through window |
| Vouchers / gift cards | Select locations | Official Chicken Licken vouchers may be accepted — confirm with branch |
Not all Fly Thru® locations are 24hr. A quick Google Maps check or phone call before a late-night trip saves a wasted journey. Check hours at chickenlicken.co.za/stores.