Facing the future with versatile chicken

Sponsored by Tyson Foodservice

From limited time offers to complete menu overhauls, new items can generate excitement and drive traffic. Operators know that to compete in the fast-changing foodservice environment, they need to keep up with the hottest flavors and forms, or even create their own trends. The key to success is to develop menu items that are delicious, can gain attention, and can be prepared quickly.

According to a May 2024 report from Mastercard and Forrester Consulting, 70% of restaurant leaders surveyed indicated that optimizing their restaurants’ menus is fundamental to achieving long-term goals. One of those goals is to enhance customer satisfaction, so it makes sense to review past successes when launching LTOs or permanent menu items. When making menu changes, 62% of these restaurant leaders said they examine historic patterns in sales performance.

They might find that many of the successes of past sales focused around chicken, a consumer favorite and a go-to protein for foodservice operators. From innovative versions of core items to global variations of menu staples, chicken can be a versatile focal point for the creation of a variety of new menu items.

Tapping into versatile chicken on different platforms

These versatile features make chicken perfect for applications in sandwiches, snacks and handhelds, center-plate entrées, and more. Chicken is also enjoyed globally, so it can be adapted for any cuisine.

“So many cultures serve some type of chicken,” says Thomas Wenrich, Senior Director, Culinary, at Tyson Foods. “Operators can deliver a protein that is culturally relevant to their menu. It’s hard to find a country of origin that does not have some type of chicken application.”

Chicken also provides ample opportunities for customization, both by innovative operators who can offer a variety of dishes featuring protein and by consumers who enjoy adding their own creative touches when ordering food.

Leveraging social media for new menu items

One way to generate excitement for new menu items is to promote them on social media. According to the DoorDash 2024 Consumer Trends Report, 19% of consumers use restaurant social media channels and 17% turn to social media influencers when looking for new restaurants.

The multi-sensory qualities of breaded chicken can help an operator stand out in social media video posts. “Chicken is one of the few proteins with all the sensory components,” Wenrich says. “It has an amazing flavor and texture, and is a platform to build memorable menu solutions.”

Wenrich adds that breaded chicken is especially appealing on social media that has video and audio. “You hear that crunch, and that audio piece is something you do not get with a burger,” Wenrich says.

Incorporating versatile chicken products inspired by consumer favorites

In today’s environment, operators need reliable products that help streamline kitchen operations and free up time back of house. Tyson Red Label^® products are easy to prepare, which results in improved service times.

“Tyson Red Label brand provides operators with the most popular forms of chicken and flavors that work across their menu,” says Logan Ballew, Director of Foodservice Value-Added Poultry at Tyson Foods.

Tyson Red Label^® brand offers foodservice operators a full line of products that are fully or partially cooked for easy prep. Products under the brand are sensory tested and proven¹ to perform. Tyson Red Label products are the perfect protein to set the stage for operators’ customizations. The products provide a solid foundation to build on and can help foster creativity in the kitchen.

“Operators can feel confident knowing that our products are consumer tested,” Ballew says. “They know we’re always helping with efficiency, and provide a wide range of hard-working products for the back of house.”

Here are some Tyson Red Label^® products that can help operators cross the divide between kitchen staple and trendy applications:

Tyson Red Label^® Fully Cooked Golden Crispy Chicken Breast Chunk Fritters are versatile, golden crispy chicken chunks that provide delicious and consistent look and taste. They are perfect to top off a salad, pasta or waffles, roll into wraps,  or to build into a slider sandwich platter.  

Tyson Red Label^® Fully Cooked Unbreaded Grilled Diced Chicken Breast provides premium quality, bite and texture, with visible char marks and light seasoning for just-grilled flavor and appearance. It’s the perfect accompaniment to coleslaw, mac ‘n’ cheese, any kind of potato, smoky baked beans, or even fried green tomatoes.

Tyson Red Label^® Fully Cooked Coated Oven Roasted Bone-In Chicken Wing Sections have oven-roasted flavor that complements all sauce flavors and side dishes, and the coating allows for greater sauce pickup. They make a great basis for a charcuterie-style plate with small portions of onion rings or fries, mac ‘n’ cheese, roasted veggies, candied bacon bites and more.

Tyson Red Label^® Uncooked Homestyle Chicken Tenderloin Fritters provide flavor and crunch for all menu applications. They are whole muscle and offer a premium bite and texture. The seasoned breading gives scratch-made taste without the extra back-of-house labor. They can be a main course with any sides, dropped on a breakfast biscuit with hot honey, or served in a brioche bun.

Visit Tyson Red Label^® brand for more information on using consumer tested, versatile products to help create your own menu trends.