Once the king of the combo meal, burgers are facing stiff competition from a longtime menu rival: fried chicken. Last year, chains like Raising Cane’s and Wingstop enjoyed double-digit jumps in sales as they outperformed every other restaurant category by focusing on chicken tenders and nuggets. Now McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and even Taco Bell are investing more in poultry. Experts say younger consumers prefer chicken, partly because they see it as a healthier alternative to red meat—even when it’s deep fried. Continue reading
