A1 Chicken Rice Sets National Record, Celebrates Community Roots and Growth

Lanice Ng

11 January 2026

KOTA KINABALU: What began as a modest stall with a simple dream has grown into a Sabah success story now recognised on the national stage. A1 Chicken Rice, founded by local entrepreneur Benny Hon and his wife Lanice Ng officially entered the Malaysia Book of Records for serving more than 2,000 Chicky Meals in a single day , an achievement that reflects not just scale, but deep community trust.

The milestone was celebrated at A1 Chicken Rice’s Lintas outlet, a location rich with meaning for the brand. Opened in 2014, it was the company’s first full-fledged restaurant.

“Looking around this room today, my heart is incredibly full,” he shared. “Standing here today, celebrating a national record, feels like coming home in the most beautiful way.”

Benny Hon

A1 Chicken Rice’s journey began in 2010 with no grand offices or accolades, only a commitment to serve good, honest food to neighbours in Sabah. The early days were defined by long hours and hard work, but also by a clear purpose. “What kept us going was the sight of families sitting together, sharing a meal,” Hon said. “We’ve always believed that food is more than just fuel; it’s a way to show love.”

That philosophy is reflected in the record-setting achievement itself. While the number may read as a statistic on paper, Ng sees it differently. “To us, that number represents 2,000 smiles from children across our community. It represents 2,000 moments where parents trusted us to feed their little ones.”

The recognition, he added, belongs as much to Sabahan families as it does to the brand.

He expressed gratitude to the Malaysia Book of Records for the honour, and to the A1 Chicken Rice team, whom she described as the backbone of the company. Their collective effort made the feat possible and underscored the values that have guided the business from the start.

Looking ahead, A1 Chicken Rice shows no signs of slowing down. The company is preparing to open its seventh outlet, likely in Parklane, Papar, later this year, another step in its steady expansion across Sabah.

The New Year will also see the launch of a new Chinese New Year menu and the introduction of an e-ordering system to enhance customer convenience.

Despite the growth and accolades, Hon reaffirmed the brand’s core promise. “As we move into this New Year, our commitment remains the same: we will keep serving you from the heart, one plate of chicken rice at a time.”

With 2026 on the horizon, A1 Chicken Rice continues to blend tradition, community, and ambition, serving not just meals, but moments that bring families together.