Sponsored by Pilgrim’s Foodservice
Within the highly competitive and evolving pizza industry, cult-like customer followings are built on more than great pizza. Restaurant operators must be strategic in selecting the best products and forming strong partnerships to stay ahead of consumer trends and operational challenges.
One powerful way pizza restaurant operators can enhance their offerings and boost profitability is by incorporating chicken into their menus. Chicken is a versatile, high-demand protein that appeals to a broad customer base and complements a wide variety of pizza styles, sandwiches, salads, and appetizers.
Beyond its culinary flexibility, chicken has proven to be a growth driver for foodservice operators. In fact, 62 percent of chicken-serving operators reported increased sales over the past year, and half of them plan to use even more chicken in the coming year, according to Datassential’s Meat, Poultry & Seafood Report. By tapping into this trend, pizza operators can meet evolving consumer preferences while expanding their menu offerings in a way that supports both customer satisfaction and bottom-line performance.
“Offering high-quality tenders and strips, along with effective merchandising and relevant on-menu items, allows operators in any segment to meet consumer demand and drive sales in their establishments,” says Kate Davis, foodservice category developer for Pilgrim’s Foodservice. Here at Pilgrim’s Foodservice, we offer a comprehensive assortment of tenders and strips across preparation methods, built with best-in-class quality to deliver the optimal customer experience.”
Pilgrim’s Foodservice product solutions are designed to meet the diverse cooking equipment applications that exist across various segments. “Operators that have deep fryers should focus on ‘ready-to-cook’ products which offer value on a per serving basis and a preferred sensory experience,” Davis says. “Operators with ovens or impingement equipment should focus on ‘fully cooked’ products to manage food safety and execute service with speed and quality.” As for flavor and breading types, these vary regionally, and the ideal product formulation should vary by menu application. “We offer a variety of market relevant, high-quality products to customize the right solution based on the capabilities of the operator.”
With nearly half of operators reporting they run promotions weekly or more, and close to one-third focusing on popular dishes and consumer favorites, chicken tenders present an easy upsell and an ideal fit for combo deals and family bundles, according to Datassential’s Promotions & Upselling Pulse Report. “Chicken tenders are also a crowd pleaser across generations,” says Bryon Trauscht, head of category management for Pilgrim’s Foodservice. “Gen Z and millennials love sauces, toppings, and anything customizable. They are comforting for kids, nostalgic for adults, and endlessly customizable for adventurous eaters. For pizza operators, they offer more than just a popular side—they’re a platform for creativity. Mashups like buffalo chicken and BBQ chicken are staples on pizza menus, but opportunities exist for operators to reimagine other chicken favorites with cross-generational appeal as pizza toppings.”
Along with their trending products, Pilgrim’s Foodservice offers menu analysis, on-trend solutions, and recommendations tailored specifically to pizza operators based on their regionality and customer base. “To succeed in today’s environment, operators must evaluate their core proteins strategically to maximize their application across the menu,” Davis says. “Chicken tenders and strips offer an infinitely customizable base for various menu applications, including protein for pasta salads, a stand-alone entree, the protein in a signature sandwich or wrap, etc.”
Pilgrim’s Foodservice’s top priorities are food safety and product quality. “We have dedicated teams and rigorous processes to ensure our products are produced with the highest food safety standards,” Davis says. “We’re committed to understanding our partners’ business, identifying their needs, and providing insights and information to identify the best possible chicken solution for them. We strive to approach every conversation with a consultative process to help your business succeed and delight your customers.”
Explore how Pilgrim’s Foodservice can help turn chicken tenders into a profit-driving staple on your pizza menu. Visit its website to learn more at pilgrimsfoodservice.com.
By Abby Winterburn
