McDonald’s and Wendy’s Amp Up the Fried Chicken Sandwich Wars
Jul 5, 2024
auto_awesome
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.
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.
Impact of Social Media and Virality on Food Trends
Social media plays a pivotal role in propelling food trends, as exemplified by the viral launch of Popeyes' chicken sandwich that sparked online conversations among fast-food brands like Chick-fil-A. The chicken sandwich wars, characterized by playful banter and competitive promotions, resulted in increased sales for all participants, demonstrating the power of social media in amplifying consumer engagement. This phenomenon mirrors similar shifts seen in other industries like the soda market, where brands adapt to Gen Z's preference for flavors and diversity in product offerings to stay relevant in a digitally-driven landscape.
1.
The Evolution of Fried Chicken Sandwiches and the Increasing Popularity Among Restaurants
Watch Carol and Tim LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. Bloomberg News Consumer Reporter Deena Shanker provides the details of her Businessweek Magazine story McDonald’s and Wendy’s Amp Up the Fried Chicken Sandwich Wars. Hosts: Tim Stenovec and Katie Greifeld. Producer: Paul Brennan.