Several major fast food companies are focusing on expanding their chicken offerings. McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Wendy’s are all looking to enhance their chicken-based menu options in response to consumer demand.
McDonald’s recently announced that McCrispy Strips will become a permanent item at participating U.S. locations by May 5. This was previously hinted at by CEO Chris Kempczinski during the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call. The return of Snack Wrap is also planned for the U.S. and other markets this year, as indicated by a recent social media post from the company. Additionally, McDonald’s aims to increase the availability of its McCrispy chicken sandwich to nearly all its markets by the year’s end. The Chicken Big Mac will also be offered as a limited-time item.
Taco Bell has added crispy chicken nuggets to its U.S. menus, following a successful limited run late last year. These nuggets appeared in a significant number of orders during their initial launch. Taco Bell plans to make crispy chicken a permanent feature by 2026 and has been testing various chicken-based innovations. The chain also recently offered crispy chicken burritos and tacos as limited-time options and introduced the Cantina Chicken Menu last year.
Wendy’s is also developing new chicken menu items. CEO Kirk Tanner mentioned the company’s intention to expand in both chicken and beverages. Wendy’s is working on enhancing its chicken offerings to appeal to key growth audiences, according to Chief Marketing Officer Lindsay Radkoski. The chain recently added a Cajun Crunch Chicken Sandwich as a temporary menu item.
These initiatives reflect a broader industry trend as major fast-food brands seek to capture more of the growing market for chicken products.
