A would-be chicken shop robber was left red faced and empty handed when an employee thwarted the heist with a serve of chilli flakes to the face.

Botany police were called to O'Le Portuguese style chicken takeaway in Rosebery on Sunday night after a 24-year-old from Tempe was incapacitated with minor burns from the bucket of chilli.

Inspector Paul Thornton said there was a dispute with staff about payment before the robbery attempt about 6.15pm.

"It's alleged he walked behind the counter and tried to push the two workers aside before attempting to open the cash register," he said.

Inspector Thornton said one employee ran to the front of the store and called police while the other, a 27-year-old woman, tried to hold the man back from the register.

"He's tried to smash open the cash register on the floor and struck the woman, she's responded with a bucket of chilli flakes over his face, it was the actual chilli that's got in the face and floored him," he said.

The man was taken to Mascot Police Station where he received treatment for minor burns then was charged with assault with intent to rob, he said.

The man was refused bail to appear in Waverley Local Court on Monday.