Central Jersey Gets Its First Halal Drive-Thru as Royal Chicken & Biscuit Overcomes Opening Setback

A popular New Jersey halal restaurant chain has officially expanded into Central Jersey with the opening of its first drive-thru location after resolving an unexpected issue that delayed its debut by several weeks.

Royal Chicken & Biscuit welcomed customers to its newest restaurant in Piscataway on July 29, introducing what the owner says is the first halal drive-thru restaurant in the Central Jersey region. The new location marks another milestone for the growing business, giving local residents a faster and more convenient way to enjoy halal meals without leaving their vehicles.

Although the restaurant is now serving customers, its opening was pushed back because of a disagreement with local zoning officials over a large mural painted on the outside of the building.

According to owner Waris Ahmadi, the colorful mural took approximately three months to complete and required an investment of more than $30,000. He said the artwork was designed to make the restaurant more welcoming and visually appealing while reflecting the brand’s identity.

Ahmadi explained that before moving forward with the mural, he communicated his renovation plans to the township and believed there were no concerns regarding the artwork. However, near the final stages of the project, township officials informed him that the painted mural was considered signage under local zoning rules and therefore required separate approval.

The issue created an unexpected obstacle just as the restaurant was preparing to open its doors.

According to Ahmadi, he later received a zoning violation notice and learned that discussions regarding the mural had taken place without his participation. While he said officials initially indicated that the restaurant could proceed with its grand opening, he claims that decision later changed.

As a result, the restaurant could not receive its certificate of occupancy until the mural issue was resolved. To avoid additional delays and begin serving customers, Ahmadi ultimately decided to cover the artwork by repainting the exterior to match the building’s yellow color.

The decision came with a significant financial loss after months of planning and artistic work. Ahmadi said the mural featured detailed craftsmanship created by professional artists and represented a major investment for the business.

Despite the setback, the restaurant officially opened and has already started attracting customers from Piscataway and nearby communities.

The owner said many customers expressed disappointment after learning the mural had been removed. According to Ahmadi, many visitors believed the artwork added character to the building rather than negatively affecting the neighborhood.

Even with the controversy behind it, the new location is helping fill a growing demand for convenient halal dining options in Central Jersey.

Drive-thru restaurants have become increasingly popular because they allow customers to order meals quickly without leaving their cars. Ahmadi believes this service is especially valuable for busy families, commuters, delivery drivers, and anyone looking for a fast meal while maintaining access to halal food choices.

The restaurant serves customers daily from early morning until late at night, making breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night meals available throughout most of the day.

Its menu features a variety of halal comfort foods, including crispy fried chicken, honey biscuits, chicken and rice platters, jerk chicken over rice, and freshly prepared breakfast items.

Ahmadi said the breakfast menu has become one of the restaurant’s strongest attractions since opening. Fresh ingredients and made-from-scratch preparation have helped generate positive feedback from early customers.

The Piscataway restaurant is the company’s fourth location overall. Royal Chicken & Biscuit already operates two restaurants in downtown Newark and another location in Franklin Township. The newest expansion reflects the company’s continued growth as demand for halal dining options increases across New Jersey.

Rather than rushing into a large public celebration immediately after opening, Ahmadi said he wants his staff to become fully comfortable with daily operations before hosting an official grand opening event.

A community celebration is scheduled for Aug. 29 and is expected to include family-friendly activities, including bounce houses and other entertainment for local residents. The event is intended to introduce the restaurant to the wider community while celebrating the successful launch after several weeks of delays.

For now, the business is focused on serving customers, improving operations, and building relationships within the community. Although the mural dispute created an expensive and frustrating challenge, the restaurant has moved forward and is now welcoming guests through both its dining area and its new drive-thru service.

As more consumers seek convenient dining experiences and the halal food market continues to grow, the new Piscataway location represents another example of how independent restaurant owners are expanding to meet changing customer needs while navigating local development and zoning requirements.

Sources

• NJ.com
• Piscataway Township Official Government Website