Fueled by trends around health, innovation and regional American or ethnic influences, chicken is trending up on sandwich menus. It’s a staple protein of American diets, with more consumers saying they eat chicken than any other center-of-the-plate protein, according to Technomic’s 2019 Center of the Plate: Poultry Consumer Trend Report. Operators need to create craveable and on-trend flavor-packed chicken sandwich offerings to stave off competition. Here are four ways to stand out in a saturated chicken market across all menu parts.
Sauces and condiments add flavor, texture and visual appeal. It’s important to offer a variety of sauces and condiments to satisfy most consumers’ cravings—some diners like spicy, others want savory, some like global trends and so on. According to Technomic’s 2018 Sandwich Consumer Trend Report, when it comes to lunch and dinner offerings, younger consumers drive demand for spicy and global sauces, such as Sriracha, hot sauce, salsa, chipotle, Buffalo and teriyaki. Operators should include a range of these sauces, including classics and trending options alike.
For instance, Nashville Hot Chicken has been a hot menu item lately. For diners who want this spicy option, Tyson®Nashville Hot Chicken products isfully cooked, lightly breaded and a perfect solution. These products help operators reduce prep times, increase efficiency and ensure consistency. It’s a win-win for providers and customers because Nashville Hot Chicken fits into all menu parts and satisfies spicy food cravings. For example, Tyson® Right Size® Select Cut* Nashville Hot Chicken Breast Filets are tossed with a signature spicy sauce that adds excitement to all dayparts. It’s a perfect protein on a croissant and topped with a fried egg for breakfast or nestled on top of a lightly dressed coleslaw bed of purple and green cabbage and carrots for lunch. For a traditional open-face dinner sandwich garnished with thick-cut pickles, Tyson® Select Cut* Nashville Hot Chicken Thigh Filets brings a new style to the traditional center-of-plate menu item with an accompanying signature spicy sauce.
*Select Cut products give operators options when premium-priced products no longer fit their budget. Their customers can enjoy a whole-muscle bite at a value price to the operator and consistent sizing for accurate portioning and cost control.
One of the greatest ongoing food debates is white meat versus dark meat—operators need to offer both options to give consumers choices.Tyson®Nashville Hot Chicken is available in both options—thigh filets and breast filets—giving diners the option to choose the type of chicken they like most.
Chicken sandwiches are a common menu item for good reason. They’re versatile, perfect for sauces and can take on a number of toppings. By updating the breads, toppings, sauces and allowing diners to have the option of eating dark or white meat, everyone—diners and operators alike—gets what they want
Balance is key when adding toppings to a sandwich, which needs to include a range of textures and flavors. According to Technomic’s 2018Sandwich Consumer Trend Report, 44% of 18- to 34-year-olds like to add sides as toppings to their breakfast sandwiches, and 34% of consumers like to add sides as toppings to their sandwiches. Popular sandwich toppings include lettuce, tomato, onion and other veggies, but pickles, sautéed mushrooms and more should be added as options to appeal to more adventurous eaters. Some of the fastest growing toppings include jalapeno pepper (+16.7% year-over-year), green pepper (+9%), sautéed onions (+8%) and pineapple (+8%). Operators can branch out from the norm to help appeal to those diners who want to try something new.
Good, quality bread can either make or break a sandwich. Breads that are lighter and flaky are preferred for breakfast sandwiches, according to Technomic’s 2018 Sandwich Consumer Trend Report, with options like croissants, English muffins and biscuits being cited as consumers’ most preferred breads for a.m. eats. Later in the day, consumers want Italian bread, whole wheat, French bread, hoagie rolls and regular buns for their sandwiches. Operators can mix things up, too, and offer indulgent breads like pretzel buns or brioche, or flavorful options like marble rye or Hawaiian bread.
Tyson Foodservice is a leading supplier of premium-quality protein offerings and other foodservice menu solutions. The company is dedicated to providing operators with products, insights and inspirations that lead to memorable dining experiences. Tyson® Nashville Hot Chicken is another example of how the company anticipates the tastes and desires of patrons and provides market-relevant solutions and trusted brands. For more information, visit tysonfoodservice.com.
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