Chicken sandwich wars: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Rapid introduction of fried chicken sandwiches to American restaurant menus}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}} |
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'''Chicken Sandwich Wars''' is a term referring to a period in the history of [[fast food]] in the [[United States]] during which a great number of American quick serve restaurant chains introduced fried chicken sandwiches to their menus. The Chicken Sandwich Wars began in 2019 and, as of 2021, were ongoing. |
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{{Use American English|date=August 2021}} |
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[[File:Fast Food Fried Chicken Sandwiches.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Fried chicken sandwiches bought from (left to right) [[Chick-fil-A]], [[KFC]], [[PDQ (restaurant)|PDQ]], and [[Popeyes]] in 2019]] |
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The '''chicken sandwich wars''' is a marketing trend in the [[United States]] during which a great number of American quick serve restaurant chains introduced [[fried chicken]] sandwiches to their menus. The phenomenon began in 2019 when [[Popeyes]] and [[Chick-fil-A]] disputed which of them was first to serve such an item. Over 20 American fast food brands added fried chicken sandwiches to their menus during the next two years. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[File:Harry_Styles_November_2014.jpg|thumb|150px|Singer Harry Styles appeared in an ''[[SNL]]'' sketch that lampooned an early episode in the Chicken Sandwich Wars.]] |
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| ⚫ | On August 12, 2019, Popeyes introduced a fried chicken sandwich to its menu, an addition that prompted Chick-fil-A (a chain that had seen its market share increase in the 21st century, buoyed by increasing American consumption of chicken<ref name="cnbc">{{cite news |title=McDonald's, Popeyes, Chick-Fil-A And The Chicken Sandwich Wars |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3L33H6cVTY |access-date=July 18, 2021 |work=[[CNBC]] |via=[[YouTube]]|date=December 12, 2019}}</ref>) to claim – in a [[Twitter|Tweet]] – that its own fried chicken sandwich predated Popeyes' sandwich.<ref name="rb">{{cite news |last1=Cobe |first1=Patricia |title=A Brief History of the Chicken Sandwich Wars |url=https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/food/brief-history-chicken-sandwich-wars |access-date=July 17, 2021 |work=Restaurant Business |date=January 7, 2021}}</ref> A [[wiktionary:tête-à-tête|tête-à-tête]] on social media between the two restaurant chains followed, which ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported "captivated the internet for ... [a] week and a half".<ref name="rb"/><ref name="nbc">{{cite news |last1=Arceneaux |first1=Michael |title=Popeyes started a chicken sandwich war with Chick-fil-A. This is why they'll win it. |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/popeyes-started-chicken-sandwich-war-chick-fil-why-they-ll-ncna1044406 |access-date=July 17, 2021 |work=[[NBC News]] |date=August 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sedacca |first1=Matthew |title=15 Minutes to 'Mayhem': How a Tweet Led to a Shortage at Popeyes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/29/business/popeyes-chicken-sandwich-shortage.html?.?mc=aud_dev&ad-keywords=auddevgate&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_8mHBhClARIsABfFgphOcuSX46gJ2W103aIVArX0j-zP2IjITVh_PMSANlk7_wbIl0Ip3B4aAogoEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds |access-date=July 17, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 29, 2019}}</ref> |
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The events of this period have been referred to in trade and popular press as the "Chicken Sandwich Wars".<ref name="rb"/><ref name="nbc"/><ref name="tyko"/> |
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By the end of 2019, Popeyes had seen a 38 percent increase in sales, with the surge in business largely attributed to its new chicken sandwich.<ref name="rb"/> In a November episode of the comedy serial ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', [[Harry Styles]] starred in a sketch that parodied the popularity of the Popeyes chicken sandwich.<ref>{{cite news |title='SNL' Parodies Popeyes Chicken Sandwich Craze |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2019/11/snl-jokes-about-popeyes-chicken-sandwich-craze |access-date=July 17, 2021 |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=November 17, 2019}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | In response to the perceived popularity of the Popeyes menu item, additional fast food chains added or expanded fried chicken sandwich offerings to their own menus.<ref name="rb"/> By January 2021, more than 20 American fast food brands had introduced or re-released chicken sandwiches.<ref name="rb"/> In addition to Popeyes and Chick-fil-A, they included: [[Golden Chick]], [[KFC]], [[Fatburger]], [[Church's Chicken]], [[Wendy's]], [[BurgerFi]], [[Zaxby's]], [[Momofuku (restaurants)|Fuku]], [[Jack in the Box]], [[Sonic Drive-In|Sonic]], [[Carl's Jr.]], [[Shake Shack]], [[Boston Market]], [[McDonald's]], [[Pollo Campero]], [[Taco Bell]] (which introduced its Chicken Sandwich Taco), [[Bojangles (restaurant)|Bojangles]], [[Panera Bread]], [[Burger King]], and [[Panda Express]] (which introduced its Orange Chicken Sandwich).<ref name="rb"/> In a July 2021 marketing stunt, [[Airheads (candy)|Airheads]] candy also introduced a limited edition, novelty chicken sandwich in conjunction with Chicago restaurant Frances' Deli & Brunchery.<ref name="airheads">{{cite news |last1=Pesce |first1=Nicole Lyn |title=This Airheads candy chicken sandwich might ruffle some feathers on #NationalFriedChickenDay |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-airheads-candy-chicken-sandwich-might-ruffle-some-feathers-on-nationalfriedchickenday-11625588381 |access-date=July 6, 2021 |work=[[Market Watch]] |date=July 17, 2021}}</ref> The sandwich was served on a bun made out of the sour candy.<ref name="airheads"/> |
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Popeyes called for a truce on July 28, 2021, as part of a promotion for a "We Come in Piece" 8-piece chicken nugget menu item. Popeyes further purchased $1,000,000 of chicken nuggets from its competitors, and donated these to the Second Harvest Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mashed.com/473106/the-surprising-way-popeyes-is-trying-to-end-the-chicken-sandwich-wars/|title = The Surprising Way Popeyes is Trying to End the Chicken Sandwich Wars|date = July 28, 2021}}</ref> The Chicken sandwich wars became "less intense" after 2021 and consumer preferences for chicken sandwiches had changed little from that time through to 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Chicken Sandwich Wars Might Be Dormant, but Gen Z Is Always Ready for a Revival |url=https://civicscience.com/the-chicken-sandwich-wars-might-be-dormant-but-gen-z-is-always-ready-for-a-revival/ |website=CivicScience |date=24 January 2023}}</ref> Rabobank Protein Analyst Christine McCracken has speculated that high beef prices may result in a resurgence of the conflict.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chicken sandwich wars are far from over |url=https://www.wattagnet.com/poultry-future/consumer-trends/article/15541041/chicken-sandwich-wars-are-far-from-over |website=WATTPoultry.com |date=22 June 2023}}</ref> |
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==Economic impact== |
==Economic impact== |
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According to Edison Trends, "online spending on chicken sandwiches across all restaurants in this analysis combined grew 420% between January 2019 and December 2020."<ref>{{Cite web|title=In QSR Chicken Sandwich Wars, Chick-fil-A Rules the Roost with 45% Market Share|url=https://trends.edison.tech/research/chicken-sandwich-wars-feb-2021.html|access-date=2021-08-05|website=trends.edison.tech}}</ref> This was likely driven by the shift toward online spending during the pandemic. In April 2021, McDonald's franchisees were selling about 262 chicken sandwiches per day.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lucas |first1=Amelia |title=Chicken sandwich wars pay off for KFC and McDonald's, putting pressure on supply |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/28/chicken-sandwich-wars-pay-off-for-kfc-and-mcdonalds-putting-pressure-on-supply.html |access-date=July 17, 2021 |work=[[CNBC]] |date=April 28, 2021}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | Due to the onset and intensity of the Chicken Sandwich Wars, combined with existing supply chain disruptions brought by the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]], shortages of chicken were reported in the United States beginning in the spring of 2021.<ref name="tyko"/> The National Chicken Council sought to allay public concerns about disruptions to the nation's [[poultry]] supply, with a council spokesperson stating in May of that year that there was "a very tight supply but short of a shortage".<ref name="tyko">{{cite news |last1=Tyko |first1=Kelly |title=Is there a chicken shortage? How COVID, chicken sandwich war and chicken wing demand are impacting restaurants |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2021/05/06/chicken-shortage-2021-chicken-sandwich-war-chicken-wings-covid/4936554001/ |access-date=July 17, 2021 |work=[[USA Today]] |date=May 6, 2021}}</ref> The same month, the price of chicken in the United States reached a three-year record high, with the pricing surge principally attributed by ''[[The Birmingham News]]'' to the Chicken Sandwich Wars.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Archibald |first1=Ramsey |title=Chicken prices going up? Blame the 'chicken sandwich wars' |url=https://www.al.com/news/2021/06/chicken-prices-going-up-blame-the-chicken-sandwich-wars.html |access-date=July 18, 2021 |work=[[The Birmingham News]] |date=June 20, 2021}}</ref> Popeyes, meanwhile, began stockpiling chicken in advance of a planned summer menu expansion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Popeyes Stockpiles Chicken Meat |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-13/popeyes-stockpiles-chicken-meat-ahead-of-nationwide-nugget-debut |access-date=July 18, 2021 |work=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]] |date=July 13, 2021}}</ref> |
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==In popular culture== |
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| ⚫ | Due to the onset and intensity of the Chicken Sandwich Wars, shortages of chicken were reported in the United States beginning in the spring of 2021.<ref name="tyko"/> The National Chicken Council sought to allay public concerns about disruptions to the nation's [[poultry]] supply, with a council spokesperson stating in May of that year that there was "a very tight supply but short of a shortage".<ref name="tyko">{{cite news |last1=Tyko |first1=Kelly |title=Is there a chicken shortage? How COVID, chicken sandwich war and chicken wing demand are impacting restaurants |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2021/05/06/chicken-shortage-2021-chicken-sandwich-war-chicken-wings-covid/4936554001/ |access-date=July 17, 2021 |work=[[USA Today]] |date=May 6, 2021}}</ref> |
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*The podcast ''[[My Brother, My Brother and Me]]'' has featured a "Munch Squad" segment since 2016 in which [[Justin McElroy]] reads out bizarre food press releases and marketing materials for comedic effect. From 2019 the segment became dominated by the chicken sandwich wars.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hickey |first1=Walter |title=Numlock Sunday: Justin McElroy, Chicken Sandwich War correspondent |url=https://www.numlock.com/p/numlock-sunday-justin-mcelroy-chicken |website=www.numlock.com |language=en |date=3 March 2024}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{Portal|Food}} |
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* [[Burger wars]] |
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* [[Coffee wars]] |
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* [[Cola wars]] |
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* [[Food trends]] |
* [[Food trends]] |
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==Further reading== |
==Further reading== |
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* {{cite news |last1=Workman |first1=Katie |title=Fans choose sides in the |
* {{cite news |last1=Workman |first1=Katie |title=Fans choose sides in the 'Chicken Sandwich War' of our time |url=https://apnews.com/article/media-us-news-ap-top-news-entertainment-social-media-6015793bbc1d4ed7badd214c65cba164 |access-date=July 17, 2021 |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=August 22, 2019}} |
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* {{cite news |last1=Valinsky|first1=Jordan |title=The fried chicken sandwich wars are heating up. Here are the new entrants |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/09/business/fried-chicken-sandwich-kfc-mcdonalds/index.html|access-date=July 17, 2021 |work=[[CNN]] |date=January 9, 2021}} |
* {{cite news |last1=Valinsky|first1=Jordan |title=The fried chicken sandwich wars are heating up. Here are the new entrants |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/09/business/fried-chicken-sandwich-kfc-mcdonalds/index.html|access-date=July 17, 2021 |work=[[CNN]] |date=January 9, 2021}} |
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[[Category:2020s fads and trends]] |
[[Category:2020s fads and trends]] |
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[[Category:Food rivalries]] |
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[[Category:Chicken sandwiches]] |
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Revision as of 01:32, 22 July 2024
The chicken sandwich wars is a marketing trend in the United States during which a great number of American quick serve restaurant chains introduced fried chicken sandwiches to their menus. The phenomenon began in 2019 when Popeyes and Chick-fil-A disputed which of them was first to serve such an item. Over 20 American fast food brands added fried chicken sandwiches to their menus during the next two years.
History
On August 12, 2019, Popeyes introduced a fried chicken sandwich to its menu, an addition that prompted Chick-fil-A (a chain that had seen its market share increase in the 21st century, buoyed by increasing American consumption of chicken[1]) to claim – in a Tweet – that its own fried chicken sandwich predated Popeyes' sandwich.[2] A tête-à-tête on social media between the two restaurant chains followed, which The New York Times reported "captivated the internet for ... [a] week and a half".[2][3][4]
By the end of 2019, Popeyes had seen a 38 percent increase in sales, with the surge in business largely attributed to its new chicken sandwich.[2] In a November episode of the comedy serial Saturday Night Live, Harry Styles starred in a sketch that parodied the popularity of the Popeyes chicken sandwich.[5]
In response to the perceived popularity of the Popeyes menu item, additional fast food chains added or expanded fried chicken sandwich offerings to their own menus.[2] By January 2021, more than 20 American fast food brands had introduced or re-released chicken sandwiches.[2] In addition to Popeyes and Chick-fil-A, they included: Golden Chick, KFC, Fatburger, Church's Chicken, Wendy's, BurgerFi, Zaxby's, Fuku, Jack in the Box, Sonic, Carl's Jr., Shake Shack, Boston Market, McDonald's, Pollo Campero, Taco Bell (which introduced its Chicken Sandwich Taco), Bojangles, Panera Bread, Burger King, and Panda Express (which introduced its Orange Chicken Sandwich).[2] In a July 2021 marketing stunt, Airheads candy also introduced a limited edition, novelty chicken sandwich in conjunction with Chicago restaurant Frances' Deli & Brunchery.[6] The sandwich was served on a bun made out of the sour candy.[6]
Popeyes called for a truce on July 28, 2021, as part of a promotion for a "We Come in Piece" 8-piece chicken nugget menu item. Popeyes further purchased $1,000,000 of chicken nuggets from its competitors, and donated these to the Second Harvest Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana.[7] The Chicken sandwich wars became "less intense" after 2021 and consumer preferences for chicken sandwiches had changed little from that time through to 2023.[8] Rabobank Protein Analyst Christine McCracken has speculated that high beef prices may result in a resurgence of the conflict.[9]
Economic impact
According to Edison Trends, "online spending on chicken sandwiches across all restaurants in this analysis combined grew 420% between January 2019 and December 2020."[10] This was likely driven by the shift toward online spending during the pandemic. In April 2021, McDonald's franchisees were selling about 262 chicken sandwiches per day.[11]
Due to the onset and intensity of the Chicken Sandwich Wars, combined with existing supply chain disruptions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, shortages of chicken were reported in the United States beginning in the spring of 2021.[12] The National Chicken Council sought to allay public concerns about disruptions to the nation's poultry supply, with a council spokesperson stating in May of that year that there was "a very tight supply but short of a shortage".[12] The same month, the price of chicken in the United States reached a three-year record high, with the pricing surge principally attributed by The Birmingham News to the Chicken Sandwich Wars.[13] Popeyes, meanwhile, began stockpiling chicken in advance of a planned summer menu expansion.[14]
In popular culture
- The podcast My Brother, My Brother and Me has featured a "Munch Squad" segment since 2016 in which Justin McElroy reads out bizarre food press releases and marketing materials for comedic effect. From 2019 the segment became dominated by the chicken sandwich wars.[15]
See also
References
- ^ "McDonald's, Popeyes, Chick-Fil-A And The Chicken Sandwich Wars". CNBC. December 12, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b c d e f Cobe, Patricia (January 7, 2021). "A Brief History of the Chicken Sandwich Wars". Restaurant Business. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ Arceneaux, Michael (August 20, 2019). "Popeyes started a chicken sandwich war with Chick-fil-A. This is why they'll win it". NBC News. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ Sedacca, Matthew (August 29, 2019). "15 Minutes to 'Mayhem': How a Tweet Led to a Shortage at Popeyes". The New York Times. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ "'SNL' Parodies Popeyes Chicken Sandwich Craze". Complex. November 17, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ a b Pesce, Nicole Lyn (July 17, 2021). "This Airheads candy chicken sandwich might ruffle some feathers on #NationalFriedChickenDay". Market Watch. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
- ^ "The Surprising Way Popeyes is Trying to End the Chicken Sandwich Wars". July 28, 2021.
- ^ "The Chicken Sandwich Wars Might Be Dormant, but Gen Z Is Always Ready for a Revival". CivicScience. January 24, 2023.
- ^ "Chicken sandwich wars are far from over". WATTPoultry.com. June 22, 2023.
- ^ "In QSR Chicken Sandwich Wars, Chick-fil-A Rules the Roost with 45% Market Share". trends.edison.tech. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ Lucas, Amelia (April 28, 2021). "Chicken sandwich wars pay off for KFC and McDonald's, putting pressure on supply". CNBC. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ a b Tyko, Kelly (May 6, 2021). "Is there a chicken shortage? How COVID, chicken sandwich war and chicken wing demand are impacting restaurants". USA Today. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ Archibald, Ramsey (June 20, 2021). "Chicken prices going up? Blame the 'chicken sandwich wars'". The Birmingham News. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- ^ "Popeyes Stockpiles Chicken Meat". Bloomberg. July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- ^ Hickey, Walter (March 3, 2024). "Numlock Sunday: Justin McElroy, Chicken Sandwich War correspondent". www.numlock.com.
Further reading
- Workman, Katie (August 22, 2019). "Fans choose sides in the 'Chicken Sandwich War' of our time". Associated Press. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- Valinsky, Jordan (January 9, 2021). "The fried chicken sandwich wars are heating up. Here are the new entrants". CNN. Retrieved July 17, 2021.