The chicken category increased sales by 8.6% to $20.1 billion, and units by 3.2% to 13,456. Boosted in recent years by sandwich, wing and chicken finger specialists, the category has seen its bone-in traditionalists fight to maintain leadership. Popeyes is a good example of one that is succeeding, thanks to ongoing menu development that doesn’t stray from its brand story.
2016 Rank | Chain Name | 2015 U.S. Sales ($000) | 2015 U.S. Units |
| 8 | Chick-fil-A | 6,291,000* | 1,950 |
| 15 | KFC | 4,001,490* | 4,270 |
| 25 | Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen | 2,720,250* | 1,970 |
| 41 | Zaxby's | 1,478,400* | 748 |
| 45 | Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'N Biscuits | 1,150,651 | 659 |
| 52 | Church's Chicken | 855,800* | 1,145* |
| 54 | Wingstop | 768,622 | 786 |
| 55 | El Pollo Loco | 753,340* | 433 |
| 71 | Boston Market | 610,000* | 452 |
| 74 | Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers | 567,269 | 249 |
| 99 | Pollo Tropical | 368,175 | 160 |
| 232 | Golden Chick | 132,400* | 152 |
*Technomic estimate
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