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Bloomberg Businessweek

McDonald’s and Wendy’s Amp Up the Fried Chicken Sandwich Wars

Jul 5, 2024
Deena Shanker, Bloomberg News Consumer Reporter, discusses the intense competition in the fried chicken sandwich market. They explore how Gen Z's preferences and social media drive the popularity of chicken sandwiches, with a focus on viral Twitter exchanges between fast-food chains.
08:18

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Chicken sandwiches are now more popular than burgers, with 47% of restaurants offering them, highlighting changing consumer preferences.
  • Social media plays a significant role in shaping food trends and driving sales, as seen in the competitive chicken sandwich wars among fast-food giants.

Deep dives

The Rise of Chicken Sandwiches in the Food Industry

Chicken sandwiches have become a prominent menu item, appearing on 47% of restaurant menus compared to 41% for burgers, marking a shift in consumer preferences. The competition among fast-food giants like Chick-fil-A, Popeyes, and McDonald's has intensified, with unconventional players like a salad chain, Dig, also offering bougie chicken sandwiches with antibiotic-free chicken. The surge in popularity is fueled by Gen Z's preference for chicken over beef, leading to a diversification of chicken sandwich offerings and emphasizing the importance of sauces and variety to cater to evolving consumer tastes.

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