News

Demand for breaded chicken sandwiches on the rise

October 15, 2014

An increasing number of consumers are requesting breaded chicken sandwiches, according to new research from The NPD Group.  Servings of breaded chicken sandwiches have grown an average of 3 percent over the last four years, and in the year ending July 2014, 2.4 billion breaded chicken sandwiches were ordered at US restaurants and commercial foodservice outlets. 

According to a news release, units of whole grain breaded chicken shipped from foodservice distributors to restaurants and other outlets increased by triple digits.

• Midscale/family dining restaurant customers ordered 4 percent more breaded chicken sandwiches this year compared to last year.
• Quick-service restaurants realized a 3 percent increase in servings in the year ending July 2014 versus last year, and independent restaurants grew servings by 2 percent.
• Non-commercial foodservice, such as hospitals, schools and workplace cafeterias, served 5 percent more breaded chicken sandwiches in the period.  

Annie Roberts, VP of NPD's SupplyTrack, said drivers of this growth include the healthier perception of chicken and the availability of new types of breading, such as whole grain.

"On the operations end, chicken and chicken sandwich restaurant concepts have expanded units and more restaurants and non-commercial foodservice outlets, like schools and hospitals, are serving breaded chicken sandwiches," Roberts said in the release.

Breaded chicken sandwiches have not cannibalized hamburgers, which continues to outpace other sandwich platforms with 9 billion servings on the year, a 3-percent increase.

From the supply end of the equation, units and pounds of ground beef patties shipped from distributors to foodservice outlets increased by 1 percent, according to NPD's SupplyTrack.

"Whether it's breaded chicken sandwiches or burgers, these are huge categories that foodservice distributors, manufacturers and operators can look at in a variety of different ways," Roberts said. "However, a key aspect of identifying growth opportunities with these categories is understanding consumer demand."