A POPULAR fast-food brand said on August 31it would extend the number of halal only restaurants in its chain in France, after a controversial pilot project in February proved a success.
Some politicians reacted angrily to Quick’s announcement earlier this year of its first halal-only branches, saying the chain had deprived non-Muslims of a right to standard burgers and promoted social divisions.
But the Belgian chain said it would switch 14 more of its French branches to serve only halal meat, certified as slaughtered in accordance with Islamic practices, bringing the total in France to 22 of its restaurants.
“In view of the results of the experiment in February, we have decided to keep the halal service in the eight test restaurants and to extend it from September 1,” said Quick chief executive Jacques-Edouard Charret.
Home to Europe’s biggest Muslim minority, estimated at between five and six million, France has seen a series of controversies highlighting tension between the integration of Muslims and the demands of an officially secular state.
The red Quick sign is a common sight in France, as are the golden arches of the US burger chain McDonalds, and both outlets are popular in urban districts with populations of largely immigrant descent.
Charret told a news conference that 10 of the new halal restaurants are in the greater Paris region, including several underprivileged suburbs in the department of Seine-Saint-Denis, north and east of the capital proper.
Halal restaurants will now account for six per cent of Quick’s branches in mainland France.
The company said that for customers who wished to avoid halal meat, it would offer a non-halal burger that will be prepared elsewhere and heated up on-site.
