The fast-food world is caught in a full-blown chicken frenzy. From burger giants to chicken specialists, everyone’s scrambling (pun intended) to tame tastes that favor poultry:
Chains like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and Popeyes are crowding menus with new chicken dishes—tacos, tenders, nuggets, bites—you name it.
Niche champions such as Raising Cane’s and Wingstop are also thriving: Wingstop even called out that the U.S. serves over 1.6 billion chicken tenders each year, and it's just getting started.
With beef prices spiking faster than chicken, the economics favor poultry—not just for cost, but also for profit margins.
Why This Trend Matters To Fast Food
Chicken isn’t just a menu item—it’s a strategic lifeline for fast food:
For customers, it means more crispy, crave-worthy options without breaking the bank.
For restaurants, it’s a win-win: cheaper inputs, faster innovation, and higher sales.
For the industry, it’s a signal shift—poultry’s pulling ahead in a fierce race for consumer taste and loyalty.
