Boundless Permutations Affirm Chicken Has Legs

OKLAHOMA CITY — Chicken is never out, but it’s been particularly in recently. The latest in a series of chicken-related products being released comes from Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores, which has launched a new lineup of baked and pre-fried chicken products. These new meal offerings come in the form of freshly made hot-to-go sandwiches, chicken tenders and drumsticks.

Oklahoma City-based Love's is touting many of the items as baked and low in carbs, all while being flavorful, made fresh daily and antibiotic free.

"We always listen to the customer, and they've been looking for flavorful chicken options that they can purchase to get back on the road quickly," said Whitman Harson, Love's senior manager of category management and deli. "This new lineup is unique to the highway with skip-the-line items that are tasty, nutritious and well priced."

The chicken is included in new sandwiches, including a grilled chicken sandwich, a spicy breaded chicken sandwich, a chicken waffle sandwich and a chicken biscuit, all under $4. It also come as homestyle chicken tenders and spicy drumsticks, which are ideal for dipping in sauces that include ranch, honey mustard and barbecue.

Click through to see chicken offerings from other retailers and suppliers ...

Hunt Brothers Pizza recently brought back its most successful limited-time offer, the Buffalo Chicken Pizza, for the 14th time to convenience-store partners.

Nashville, Tenn.-based Hunt Brothers cites a recent study showing 62% of consumers agree that most savory foods taste better with some spiciness, and its Buffalo Chicken Pizza aims to satisfy customers’ savory and spicy cravings by adding familiar buffalo chicken flavors to pizza.

Buffalo Chicken Pizza features Hunt Brothers’ original crust topped with a mixture of ranch dressing and buffalo wing sauce, a blend of 100% natural part-skim mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheeses and a generous portion of 100% all-natural chicken breast. The finishing touch is a sprinkling of the company’s signature Just Rite Spice.

One of two sliders from Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven added to the convenience store’s hot foods menu at stores in Los Angeles and San Diego features buffalo chicken (the other is cheeseburger). It contains a breaded chicken breast topped with spicy buffalo sauce.

The sliders are available for 99 cents and served on buns produced by Bread Artisan Bakery, a family-owned and -operated bakery in Santa Ana, Calif.

"Sliders are a fantastic addition to our hot foods menu, and we think this little sandwich will have a lot of big fans," said Bob Frey, senior director of fresh food for 7-Eleven. "This craveable comfort food is made in our own commissary kitchens. Plus, with two different varieties, you can choose a single slider or order a few to create a combo that fills you up."

Kwik Chek has added protein-heavy entrees including Grilled Chicken Tenders, and customers can customize chicken orders to fit their preference, with the choice of fried, spicy or sauced in addition to grilled.

“We love adding foods that are not only delicious but accommodate everyone's diet,” Kevin Smartt, CEO of Kwik Chek Food Stores, said of this and other additions including healthy sides and fresh produce. “We combat the stigma of convenience-store foods by offering fresh, better-for-you options. Kwik Chek believes on-the-go meals shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality.”

Nashville Chicken Tenders were on the menu when Bonham, Texas-based Kwik Chek debuted its first foodservice promotion of 2020. The item featured Nashville Hot, Buffalo or BBQ chicken tenders on a warm roll.

Even snack makers are getting in on the act: Montreal-based Pro2Go recently debuted a line of high-protein snacks for c-stores in two package sizes:

The Grilled Chicken Breast Skewers combine whole breast chicken and a dipping sauce for on-the-go convenience, the company said. The single-serve package offers 21 grams of protein in a 4-ounce serving. The skewers, with a suggested retail price of $3.99, come in three flavors: Sweet Sriracha, Chipotle and Rotisserie. The packaging is designed with a microwaveable container for easy heat access and a detachable sauce tray.

The grilled chicken breast packs, with a suggested retail price (SRP) of $2.99, contain 15 grams of protein per 2.46-ounce package and come in Spicy BBQ, Lightly Seasoned and Buffalo-Style. 

Francis Cartier, marketing and new products director at Pro2Go, said, “The Pro2Go line is ideal for grab-and-go consumers looking to power up with a quick, high protein snack or meal. Our new line was designed with convenience in mind for those looking for an easier, healthier protein option.”