America’s love for fried chicken has become a national phenomenon, with regional styles like Nashville hot and Korean double-fry technique gaining popularity. The industry has seen a 15% growth since 2019, with systemwide sales exceeding $52 billion annually.
Regional Styles Take Center Stage
Nashville hot chicken, born out of a domestic revenge story in the 1930s, has become a billion-dollar business segment. Dave’s Hot Chicken, a parking lot pop-up turned national chain, has sold a majority stake for $1 billion. Korean-style fried chicken, with its double-fry technique, has also gained a following, with Korean restaurant locations in the US growing 10% in 2024.
Southern fried chicken, cooked to order and served with biscuits, remains the foundation of the category. Independent restaurants, like Raising Cane’s, have seen significant growth, with the chain’s system sales increasing from $350 million to $5.1 billion over the past decade.
Competition Heats Up
The chicken sandwich wars, which began in 2019, have never cooled off. New players, like Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings, have entered the market, while established chains like Popeyes have seen sales declines. The competition has driven innovation, with spice labs, pop-up joints, and new techniques being introduced to the market.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
