FRESH START FOR AYR'S QUEEN STREET STAPLE

“The team is everything. They’re the people at the front of it,” says Peter. Photo: Jacob Casha.

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Red Rooster might be a national brand, but for new owner Peter Walsh, the Ayr store is strictly local.

As he rolls out a series of storewide upgrades, the North Queenslander is determined to make that clear.

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“The community deserves to have a nice place to come and eat,” Peter said.

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“We're working on getting the right people, upgrading our service, and creating that family, community atmosphere.”

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The plan is already in motion. With upgraded kitchen equipment and refreshed operational processes, Peter says locals are already seeing quicker service.

Those tweaks are part of a broader makeover for the Queen Street store, featuring fresh paint, general refurbishments and new digital kiosks to make ordering easier. Peter says the changes complement an already extensive menu designed to “cater for almost anyone.”

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But according to him, just as important as any meal or upgrade are the people behind the counter.

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“The team is everything. They’re the people at the front of it,” he said.

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“We’ve got a funny bunch. They're very loyal, they’re very dedicated, and they want to be part of the journey.”

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As the team strides forward, Peter says the mission remains what it always has been.

“We want to be part of the community,” he said.

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“Previous owners did a lot for charitable organisations, sporting clubs, sponsorships, and the store had a really good community reputation. We want to build all that back.”

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With operations expanding, the team is currently on the lookout for new members. To find out more about employment opportunities, pop into the store and hand in a resume.