July 15, 2026

French chicken chain row gets political

In this edition, we take a look at the French love for food – in this case, chain rotisserie chicken and the current squabble over it that has turned political. When the Master Poulet fast-food chicken chain opened up a branch in the Parisian suburb of Saint-Ouen, the Socialist Mayor Karim Bouamranne saw red, as the heat lamps and the smell of rotisserie until 2am did not gel with his vision for a modernized city centre. Meanwhile, hard-left mayor of neighbouring Saint-Denis, Bally Bagayoko savoured the moment to praise Master Poulet’s product and price.  A FRANCE 24 journalist went to Saint-Ouen to take a closer look at the controversy. Our guests talk affordability, convenience and the right to healthy eating. They also address the concept of “food ghettos”, a nation of growing inequality where quality produce is more expensive in working class neighbourhoods. Finally, while the left tears itself apart over the issue, we ask how to find the common ground to better feed the French? Produced by François Picard, Rebecca Gnignati, Juliette Laffont, Piera Rocco, Andrew Hilliar.

Also available on Apple Podcasts ↗