From a childhood bedroom in Wolverhampton to the helm of a halal meat revolution, two brothers are redefining an entire industry. Adnaan and Manny Malik, the visionary forces behind Malik Butchers, have transformed their father's traditional shop into a contemporary success story that appeals to customers of all backgrounds.
From Family Legacy to Modern Vision
The Malik family's butchery journey spans generations, beginning with their grandfather in Kenya before political uncertainty prompted a relocation to Wolverhampton. The business eventually passed to their father, Wali Muhammed Malik, whose relentless work ethic left a lasting impression. "From the moment I remember my father, he was consistently in the shop," Adnaan recalled. "His life was to make sure everything was sorted."
When the brothers took over in 2009, the business faced significant challenges. The rise of supermarkets had dwindled their customer base, and the traditional halal butchery model felt outdated. Adnaan never envisioned a future as a butcher, having grown up viewing the work as a chore and feeling embarrassed by the state of halal shops compared to their British counterparts.
The Eureka Moment That Changed Everything
The turning point came from an unexpected source: British television. Watching Only Fools and Horses, the brothers noticed how certain foods like full English breakfasts were portrayed as desirable yet inaccessible because they contained non-halal ingredients like pork. "Growing up and not being able to eat something that everyone else was because it wasn't halal made us feel like outsiders," Adnaan explained.
This sparked an innovative idea: creating halal-friendly versions of British classics. They began experimenting with chicken and beef sausages, lamb ham, and beef bacon right in their family's shop. Adnaan's vision expanded to include premium meats and a deli counter selling sandwiches, toasties, and burgers—a radical concept for a Wolverhampton butchers at the time.
Social Media and Breaking Stereotypes
In 2020, on the shop's 50th anniversary, they temporarily closed for renovations and completely transformed the space. Their revival strategy included clever social media campaigns featuring tongue-in-cheek sketches that educated people about halal food while entertaining them. This approach helped attract non-Muslim customers and dispel misconceptions about halal butchers.
"We're making an old, stinky, smelly sector sexy," Adnaan declared. Beyond business success, the brothers recognise they're challenging stereotypes about Muslims during times of conflict. "What's a better way to make peace with people than with a sausage sandwich or a bacon bap?" he mused.
Today, their father still visits daily, sitting in his designated "Abu's chair" and proudly recommending products he doesn't even eat himself. Their mother's influence remains strong too, honoured through a chutney named after her sold in the shop. Through swearing, bickering, and undeniable brotherly chemistry, Adnaan and Manny Malik have not only saved their family business but are genuinely changing the face of halal meat in Britain, one sausage at a time.
