A French fast food chain announced on Tuesday it would almost triple its line of halal hamburger restaurants because sales had doubled in a trial that sparked a heated debate about the integration of Muslims.
The Quick chain of 358 restaurants around France said it would boost its halal-only outlets to 22 on Wednesday after the trial in eight areas with a strong Muslim population also saw a doubling of customers and a rise in the amounts they spent.
Quick, which is a challenger to the U.S. hamburger chain McDonald’s (MCD.N) and runs franchises in seven other countries including Belgium, Russia and Algeria, said the move was purely commercial.
Many non-Muslims object to halal food because the associated method of animal slaughter is considered to be cruel to animals.