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Share the Love—and Help Drive Sales—With Exciting Chicken Sandwiches
Written by Nation's Restaurant News
Published: December 23, 2024
Operators See Opportunity With Hand-Held Consumer Favorites
Consumers are in love with chicken sandwiches. Restaurant and noncommercial operators have a thing for them, too. Selling these tasty hand-held delights is a major business opportunity in the booming sandwich space.
In fact, 46% of operators reported that their sales of fried chicken sandwiches had increased over the past year, according to Datassential Sandwiches Keynote Report, March 2023. That report also found that 85% of operators currently offer or plan to offer a grilled chicken sandwich.
A veteran culinarian comments on the love story. “A perfectly executed chicken sandwich all starts with the quality and preparation of the chicken. Whether grilled or fried, the filet must always remain juicy and have just the right texture. A flawlessly crafted chicken sandwich harmonizes the elements of the savory, salty, fat and heat,” says Steven Bell, executive chef at Tyson Foodservice. “When you take those qualities and bring them together in just the right way with just the right vehicle, that’s what people love.”
“They're portable and easy to eat on the go,” Bell adds. “Consumers have passion around the juiciness and beautiful texture and that is what inspires them to go above and beyond to seek the perfect chicken sandwich.”
Popular Protein Choice
High consumer appeal, coupled with versatility and easy prep, makes chicken a popular protein choice for signature sandwiches and sandwich limited-time offers (LTOs).
“I think a chicken sandwich is something most operators need on the menu, whether as an LTO to rotate seasonally or as a chicken sandwich you can execute well all the time,” says Bell.
Flavor has a lot to do with it, too. Chicken plays well with companion ingredients, creating mouthwatering effects in globally inspired dishes, homestyle comfort foods and zesty, spicy specialties. Operators should take note, given the contingent of consumers who revel in flavor exploration. In fact, 77% of consumers are excited about new food and beverage trends this year, per the Datassential 2024 Trends Event webinar.
Fortunately for operators watching their labor budgets, devising new flavor twists and builds for sandwiches does not have to be arduous. There may be options close at hand. An operator may have an “ownable” sauce or seasoning on another menu item that can carry over to sandwiches, says Chris Sims, Sales Account Executive at Tyson Foodservice. “We’ve seen that can be extremely successful with chicken sandwiches,” says Sims.
Making It Special
How do you make a fried chicken sandwich stand out in the crowd? Vary the components of the build—protein, carrier, condiments and garnish.
Changing from a standard bun to a more distinctive bread carrier can create, in effect, a brand-new sandwich. “We've seen operators use a brioche or pretzel bun, which is more unique,” says Bell. “We’ve also seen fun stuff like glazed donuts and square or round waffles as buns out there.”
When it comes to garnish, “it’s not just a dill pickle chip anymore,” Bell says. “Chefs are having a lot of fun pickling things like carrots and onions and making vegetable slaws to put on chicken sandwiches.”
Relying On Tyson Red Label® brand
Operators who strive for success with chicken sandwiches will benefit from Tyson Red Label® products. The brand is known for varied and versatile chicken items, a strong market presence, and a history of exciting product innovations.
Consider the following solutions for easy-to-execute, memorable, and profitable chicken sandwiches:
- Tyson Red Label® Uncooked Breaded Authentically Crispy Spicy Chicken Breast Filets feature spicy notes of cayenne, red chili, black and white pepper, and paprika. They are pre-marinated and pre-breaded for greater consistency and efficiency.
- Tyson Red Label® Fully Cooked Homestyle Select Cut Chicken Breast Filet Fritters offer consistent quality, bite, and texture. As a fully cooked product, it is quick and easy to prepare, and it minimizes food-safety concerns.
- Tyson Red Label® Fully Cooked Unbreaded Grilled Chicken Breast Filets feature attractive char marks and a simple seasoning of salt and pepper. They are ready for additional flavorings if the operator desires. These filets appeal to a broad consumer base, including those in the mood for a lighter chicken sandwich.
“What’s nice about our Tyson Red Label® product portfolio is that it includes chef-approved chicken filets that are easily adaptable to multiple menu formats,” says Bell.
Menu With Confidence
Operators can use Tyson Red Label® products with confidence, due to the exacting consumer testing the company conducts. Take the breading and coatings of chicken items, which offer advantages in quality, consistency, and labor efficiency in comparison to scratch preparation. “We did a ton of testing on flavor profiles and coating systems that address our customers’ needs,” Bell says.
For more ideas about using Tyson Red Label® chicken to drive sandwich sales and profits, visit the brand page.
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