Dive Brief:
- Culver’s will launch a revamped chicken sandwich menu on June 16, the company said in a Tuesday press release.
- Culver’s updated Crispy Chicken, Spicy Crispy Chicken and Grilled Chicken sandwiches will be available on menus at its 1,000-plus restaurants.
- The chicken sandwiches are part of a multi-year development process, the company said. During testing, guests said they liked the overall improvement to the flavor and juiciness as well as the quality of the filet and the brioche bun.
Dive Insight:
Culver’s is giving its chicken sandwiches a sweeping overhaul. They will have an improved chicken filet, crunchier pickle slices, mayo, lettuce and tomato and a new toasted brioche bun, the company said.
The improved ingredients could help boost popularity of Culver’s chicken sandwiches, which tend to be ranked in the middle tier compared to its popular ButterBurger and Wisconsin Cheese Curds, according to Mashed. The publication calls the existing Crispy Chicken Sandwich “run-of-the-mill,” compared to other fast food chains.
The updated sandwiches are part of Culver’s ongoing strategy to improve menu items and ingredients. Last year, it debuted smokey thick-cut bacon. The Wisconsin-based chain also added Culver’s Signature Sauce in 2023.
The new chicken sandwiches will be released just as competition is heating up. Popeyes added chicken wraps in early June, and McDonald’s will bring back its Chicken Strip Wrap in July. McDonald’s, which is looking to improve its chicken offerings, added chicken strips to its permanent menu in May.
