On April 6, major convenience store chain Lawson announced that its long-loved flagship product, “Karaage-kun,” has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s best-selling freshly fried chicken nuggets.
In this milestone year marking the 40th anniversary of its launch in April 1986, the brand has officially become the world’s number one fried chicken brand in both name and reality.
- Annual Sales Exceed 280 Million Servings! Guinness World Record Achieved with Astonishing Results
- Head of Merchandising Division Speaks on Commitment to a “100-Year Brand”
- New Flavors and Commemorative Merchandise Celebrating the 40th Anniversary to Launch Starting April 7
- A Must-See for Fans! Original “Fairy of the Karaage-kun Kingdom” Merchandise Also Debuts
Annual Sales Exceed 280 Million Servings! Guinness World Record Achieved with Astonishing Results
The record, titled “Best-Selling Freshly Fried Chicken Brand,” was officially registered on March 5, 2026.
Specifically, the brand recorded an overwhelming total of 286,898,542 servings sold in 2024 alone.
Furthermore, cumulative sales since its launch have reached approximately 4.88 billion servings, with over 430 different flavors released to date.
Head of Merchandising Division Speaks on Commitment to a “100-Year Brand”
Hitoshi Fujii, Head of the Merchandising Division, attended the certification ceremony held in Tokyo and shared his joy regarding this remarkable achievement.
Mr. Fujii expressed a strong determination to build a brand that will endure for the next 50 or even 100 years, emphasizing his commitment to continuously improving product quality.
New Flavors and Commemorative Merchandise Celebrating the 40th Anniversary to Launch Starting April 7
Lawson is launching a campaign to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the product’s release and the world record certification.
Starting April 7, three new flavors will be introduced, including the “Black Pepper Flavor” (278 yen, tax included), which offers a stimulating taste experience.
Through the launch of these new menu items designed to brighten up the dining table, the company aims to further expand its fan base.
A Must-See for Fans! Original “Fairy of the Karaage-kun Kingdom” Merchandise Also Debuts
In addition to food items, commemorative merchandise featuring the brand’s original character, the “Fairy of the Karaage-kun Kingdom,” will also be available.
A total of five items, including apparel and accessories, have been prepared, creating a lineup designed to celebrate this special 40th anniversary year.
This promises to be an opportunity to enjoy the appeal of Karaage-kun—now crowned the world’s best—from many different angles.


