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Restaurants: McDonald's hopes the third time is the charm on chicken tenders

Why it's trending:

  • McDonald's sales struggles: McDonald's sales have been struggling, with flat system sales last year and its worst same-store sales number since the pandemic, making the launch of McCrispy Strips a crucial move for the company.

  • Growing demand for chicken: The demand for chicken is growing, with chicken chains like Raising Cane's and Wingstop flourishing and growing sales over 30% last year.

  • Competition in the chicken market: The chicken market is highly competitive, with many successful chains offering a variety of chicken products, making it challenging for McDonald's to stand out.

Detailed Findings

  • McCrispy Strips details: McCrispy Strips are made with juicy, 100% white meat chicken, coated with crispy golden-brown breading, and bursting with bold black pepper flavor.

  • Market context: McDonald's has been trying to sell chicken tenders for years, but previous attempts have not been successful, making the launch of McCrispy Strips a significant move for the company.

  • Future plans: The launch of McCrispy Strips will pave the way for another new chicken item later this year, wraps, which were discontinued in 2016.

Key Takeaway

The key takeaway is that McDonald's is launching McCrispy Strips as part of its efforts to revive its chicken tenders business and compete with other successful chicken chains.

Main Trend

The main trend is "Chicken Consumption", where consumers are increasingly seeking out chicken products, driving growth in the chicken market.

Description of the Trend

This trend involves consumers seeking out chicken products, driving growth in the chicken market. The trend is driven by the increasing popularity of chicken chains and the demand for convenient, affordable, and high-quality chicken products.

Consumer Motivation

Consumers are motivated by the desire for convenient, affordable, and high-quality chicken products. They are seeking out chicken products that are easy to consume, affordable, and meet their dietary preferences.

What is driving the trend

The trend is driven by the growing demand for chicken, the popularity of chicken chains, and the increasing demand for convenient and affordable food options.

Motivation beyond the trend

Beyond the trend, consumers are motivated by a desire for food that is not only delicious but also convenient, affordable, and meets their dietary preferences.

Description of consumers

The article refers to consumers who are likely:

  • Age: 18-55 years old

  • Gender: Both males and females

  • Income: Middle to upper-middle class

  • Lifestyle: Busy and tech-savvy individuals who value convenience, quality, and affordability.

Conclusions

The launch of McCrispy Strips is a significant move for McDonald's, as it seeks to revive its chicken tenders business and compete with other successful chicken chains.

Implications for brands

Brands need to prioritize quality, convenience, and affordability to appeal to consumers who are seeking out chicken products.

Implication for society

The trend has implications for society, as it highlights the growing demand for chicken products and the need for brands to adapt to changing consumer preferences.

Implications for consumers

Consumers will continue to seek out chicken products that are convenient, affordable, and meet their dietary preferences.

Implication for Future

The trend is expected to continue, with consumers increasingly seeking out chicken products that meet their needs and preferences.

Consumer Trend

"Convenience-Driven Consumption": Consumers are seeking out convenient food options that meet their needs and preferences.

Consumer Sub Trend

"Chicken Preference": Consumers are increasingly seeking out chicken products, driving growth in the chicken market.

Big Social Trend

"Food Innovation": The trend highlights the importance of innovation in the food industry, as brands seek to meet changing consumer preferences and needs.

Worldwide Social Trend

"Globalization of Food": The trend highlights the globalization of food, as brands seek to adapt to changing consumer preferences and needs across different markets.

Social Drive

"Convenience and Affordability": Consumers are driven by a desire for convenience and affordability, seeking out food options that meet their needs and preferences.

Learnings for brands to use in 2025

  • Prioritize quality and convenience: Brands need to prioritize quality and convenience to appeal to consumers who are seeking out chicken products.

  • Offer affordable options: Brands need to offer affordable options to appeal to consumers who are price-sensitive.

  • Innovate and adapt: Brands need to innovate and adapt to changing consumer preferences and needs to stay competitive.

Strategy Recommendations for brands to follow in 2025

  • Develop convenient and affordable products: Brands should develop products that are convenient, affordable, and meet consumer needs and preferences.

  • Invest in marketing and advertising: Brands should invest in marketing and advertising to promote their products and build brand awareness.

  • Focus on quality and innovation: Brands should focus on quality and innovation to differentiate themselves from competitors and meet changing consumer preferences.

Final sentence

The trend of chicken consumption is expected to continue, with consumers increasingly seeking out chicken products that meet their needs and preferences.

What brands & companies should do in 2025

Brands should prioritize quality, convenience, and affordability to appeal to consumers who are seeking out chicken products. They should also invest in marketing and advertising to promote their products and build brand awareness.

Final Note

  • Core Trend: Chicken Consumption - a trend where consumers are increasingly seeking out chicken products, driving growth in the chicken market.

  • Core Strategy: Prioritizing quality, convenience, and affordability - a strategy that involves developing products that are convenient, affordable, and meet consumer needs and preferences.

  • Core Industry Trend: Growing demand for chicken - a trend that highlights the growing demand for chicken products and the need for brands to adapt to changing consumer preferences.

  • Core Consumer Motivation: Desire for convenience and affordability - a motivation that drives consumers to seek out food options that are convenient, affordable, and meet their needs and preferences.

Final Conclusion

The trend of chicken consumption is expected to continue, with consumers increasingly seeking out chicken products that meet their needs and preferences. Brands that adapt to this trend by prioritizing quality, convenience, and affordability will benefit from increased sales and customer loyalty.

Core Trend: Chicken Consumption

Description

The trend of Chicken Consumption refers to the growing demand for chicken products, driven by consumer preferences for convenient, affordable, and high-quality food options. This trend is characterized by the increasing popularity of chicken chains and the demand for chicken products that meet consumer needs and preferences.

Key Characteristics of the Trend (summary)

  • Growing demand for chicken products

  • Increasing popularity of chicken chains

  • Demand for convenient, affordable, and high-quality chicken products

  • Shift towards chicken as a preferred protein source

Market and Cultural Signals Supporting the Trend (summary)

  • Growing sales of chicken chains like Raising Cane's and Wingstop

  • Increasing demand for convenient and affordable food options

  • Shift towards healthier and more sustainable food options

  • Growing popularity of chicken products in various cuisines

How the Trend Is Changing Consumer Behavior (summary)

  • Consumers are seeking out chicken products that are convenient, affordable, and meet their dietary preferences

  • Increasing demand for chicken products that are high-quality and sustainable

  • Shift towards online ordering and delivery of chicken products

  • Growing interest in chicken products with unique flavors and ingredients

Implications Across the Ecosystem (summary)

  • For Brands and CPGs: Brands need to prioritize quality, convenience, and affordability to appeal to consumers who are seeking out chicken products.

  • For Retailers: Retailers need to offer a variety of chicken products that meet consumer needs and preferences.

  • For Consumers: Consumers will continue to seek out chicken products that are convenient, affordable, and meet their dietary preferences.

Strategic Forecast

  • Brands that prioritize quality, convenience, and affordability will benefit from increased sales and customer loyalty.

  • Retailers that offer a variety of chicken products will attract more customers and increase sales.

  • Consumers will continue to drive demand for chicken products that meet their needs and preferences.

Final Thought

The trend of Chicken Consumption is expected to continue, with consumers increasingly seeking out chicken products that meet their needs and preferences. Brands that adapt to this trend by prioritizing quality, convenience, and affordability will benefit from increased sales and customer loyalty.

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