4 new ways to menu Nashville hot chicken

Although trends come and go, chicken remains consumers’ most popular protein choice. According to Technomic’s 2019 Center of the Plate: Poultry Consumer Trend Report, 76% of consumers typically eat chicken as an entree or meal ingredient from a foodservice location at least once a month. Seventy-two percent of consumers say the same about beef and 57% say they eat pork at least once a month.

Chicken is popular for a reason. After all, it is affordable and versatile. It provides the perfect base on which to impart a range of flavors through seasonings, marinades and sauces. For instance, Tyson® Nashville Hot Chicken relies on a chef-developed sauce of cayenne pepper, chili powder and smokiness to deliver a classic Tennessee flavor.

And though Nashville Hot Chicken makes delicious spicy chicken sandwiches, operators should consider all the many ways that the fiery protein can add innovation and convenience to their menus. Doing so might attract business from consumers ages 18- to 34-years old, half of whom say they are interested in trying chicken entrees that are new and unique, according to Technomic’s 2019  Poultry report. But it’s not just younger consumers who are inclined to eat chicken. Across demographics, 33% of consumers overall say they expect to eat more chicken over the next year as well.

Seventy-eight percent of consumers classify chicken as being healthy or very healthy, according to Technomic’s 2019 Center of the Plate: Poultry report. Try offering Tyson® Nashville Hot Chicken as a flavorful salad topping. With this, operators can appeal not only to no- or low-carb eaters hoping to skip the bread in sandwiches, but also to those who are up on salad trends as well.

Sweet and spicy flavors are on the rise in FSR salads. For example, instances of jalapeno in salads are up 38% year-over-year on salads, according to Technomic’s Menu Monitor. Pair Nashville Hot Chicken with the crunch of lettuce and a blue cheese dressing to provide a smooth, creamy contrast to the chicken’s heat.

As the general U.S. population continues to diversify, interest in ethnic fare continues to increase. Technomic’s 2017 Flavor Consumer Trend Report found that 24% of consumers—including 36% of millennials—purchase ethnic fare from restaurants at least once a week. To address this trend, try innovating with Tyson® Nashville Hot Chicken by giving it an international twist. For instance, use it as the protein in Asian steamed buns and top with pickles, or pile it atop a tasty Korean bibimbap bowl.

On the flip side to health trends, there are those consumers who make their food purchasing decisions on more indulgent meal options. Consider such over-the-top menu items such as a burger topped with spicy chicken tenders, offered at Buffalo Wild Wings. Instead of using it as just the main protein between bread, use Tyson® Nashville Hot Chicken as a sandwich topping to add interest and attract consumers looking for something new. Recall the popularity of KFC’s Double Down sandwich—an option without bread, it instead used fried chicken and bacon to make up the over-the-top, protein-packed meal.

Technomic’s 2018 Snacking Occasion Consumer Trend Report found that consumers are replacing meals with snacks more now than they were in 2016. What’s more, 66% of consumers say they agree that having a snack instead of a meal can be part of a healthy diet.

Busy consumers looking for something to give them energy to sustain their nonstop lifestyles are likely to reach for protein. To satisfy these guests, experiment with offering Tyson® Nashville Hot Chicken in an appetizer or snack portion. Paired with a dipping sauce like blue cheese or plated with crisp pickle slices with a nod toward the destructed chicken sandwich, this offering is perfect for snackers and on-the-go eaters. Presenting chicken as a fun-to-eat handheld menu item will tap into comfort food cravings as well.

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.