Broaster Company is an American foodservice equipment manufacturer headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin.[2] It was founded by L.A.M. Phelan in 1954.[3] The company is known for producing pressure fryers, licensing "Genuine Broaster Chicken", and operating a branded food program, "Broaster Express".[4]
The Broasting technique was introduced in 1954 when American businessman and inventor, L.A.M. Phelan, combined parts of a deep fryer and pressure cooker as a way to cook chicken more quickly. With his invention, Phelan trademarked the words "broaster" and "broasted food".[5][6] Phelan manufactured the first Broaster Pressure Fryers under Flavor Fast Foods, Inc. and in 1956 formed the Broaster Company, expanding its line of offerings to include food product ingredients and accessories.[7][8]
In 1970, the Alco Standard Corporation[9]ofValley Forge, Pennsylvania purchased the Broaster Company. In 1991, Alco sold the Broaster Company to a group of private investors.[10]
In 2009, Jay Cipra was named CEO of Broaster Company LLC, after serving as president of its parent company Broaster Company, Inc.[11] Broaster Company celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2014.[12]
Broaster Company is the owner of a proprietary process that creates what the company calls "Genuine Broaster Chicken".[4] The process uses the company's marinades and coating to prepare chicken which is then fried in a Broaster Pressure Fryer by an employee with training from the Broaster Company.[13][14]
The Broaster Company licenses more than 5,000 restaurants, bars, and carryout locations in the United States with additional locations in 54 countries.[7]
Internationally, broasted chicken remains highly popular in Middle Eastern and South Asian countries such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, as well as in Latin American countries such as Colombia and Peru. Many restaurants and fast-food chains in these countries also have the word "broast" in their names.
