CHICAGO – Data from food industry research company Technomic reveals year-over sales for the chicken industry rose 8 percent in 2015 and shows the fastest growing limited-service chains are chicken brands. The company also believes that growth rate will continue through 2016 due to American diners’ better-for-you perception of chicken.
The three prime examples from Technomic are Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, PDQ and Nando’s — each possessing innovative approaches, menus and a unique ambiance.
Key points from Technomic’s data include:
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers has a simple, approachable menu of fresh food combined with a family-friendly, pop culture-themed setting has propelled Raising Cane's growth, with 2015 year-over-year sales number of units up 26 percent and 18 percent, respectively.
• PDQ operates primarily in the south but is expanding to the north and west, leading to a 2015 year-over-year growth in sales and units of 61 percent and 52 percent, respectively.
• Nando's has been expanding in the US, with year-over-year US sales and unit growths of 33 percent and 40 percent, respectively, specializing in peri peri chicken in a range of spice levels.
