HP Sales Northeast

Chicken

Ask the Chicken Experts: How Do You Expand Your Menu?

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fried chicken

Expanding your restaurant’s chicken menu is an exciting endeavor, but it comes with specific kitchen considerations to ensure a smooth transition and success. Do you want to integrate chicken into your current food/store concept? Maybe feature it as a special item, delivery-only, or even a virtual brand? Just ask the chicken experts!

Whichever you choose, Henny Penny’s blog post “What should I ask a chicken expert about expanding my restaurant’s menu?” guides you through the essential factors to keep in mind when introducing new chicken dishes to your menu.

Read the full blog post here.

Sourcing to Serving Download

from sourcing to serving

Sourcing to Serving is a step-by-step planning guide from our chicken experts that will help you make key decisions about:

  1. Menu and operations
  2. Sourcing product and equipment
  3. Installation, start-up, maintenance
  4. After-sales service and support

Click here to download Sourcing to Serving for FREE and get 22 pages packed with everything you need to know about adding chicken to your menu.

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So You Want to Sell Fried Chicken?

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Let’s take a look at the equipment you would need to get your commercial kitchen pumping out great fried chicken.

Are you on the path to starting your own fried chicken program? It’s an exciting road ahead! Understanding the right kitchen equipment is crucial for making your fried chicken business a success. In the blog “Fried Chicken Restaurant Equipment: A Guide for Commercial Kitchens” by Henny Penny, we find some invaluable insights. Let’s take a closer look at what equipment you’ll need to transform your commercial kitchen into a hub for top-notch fried chicken.

Frying; The Star of the Show

First up, the star of the show – your fryer! You’ve got two main types to consider:

Pressure Fryers

Henny Penny pressure fryer spindle

Henny Penny offers several pressure fryer models to fit the needs of different commercial kitchens. We have standard pressure fryers for normal volume kitchens, 8-head pressure fryers for added capacity, and Velocity Series pressure fryers for high-volume kitchens looking to save on oil, labor, and time.

Ideal for bone-in chicken, these fryers promise consistently tender and juicy results. They’re speedy, perfect for high volumes, and come in various models to suit different kitchen sizes.

Open Fryers

Henny Penny fryer

If your menu is a mix of fried goodies, open fryers are your go-to. They offer crispy outcomes and flexibility in cooking various items. Plus, with built-in oil filtration, they’re super easy to maintain!

Henny Penny offers a wide range of open fryers, so there are plenty of options for every unique kitchen.

Each fryer has its unique advantages, so think about your menu and volume needs before deciding.

Holding Cabinets: Keeping It Fresh.

Henny Penny Holding Cabinet

When you’re serving fried chicken, a holding cabinet is one of the most valuable pieces of kitchen equipment you can invest in.

Once that chicken is golden and crispy, you need to keep it that way. Enter the heated holding cabinets! These are not just any warm boxes; they’re designed to maintain the chicken’s moisture and crunch. Whether it’s the standard model or the advanced SmartHold with precise humidity control, these cabinets are like adding another member to your kitchen crew!

At Henny Penny, we offer two main options for holding cabinets: our standard cabinet, and the more advanced SmartHold model.

The Final Touch: Breading and Seasoning.

Breading Henny Penny chicken

Aside from your kitchen equipment, you’ll also want breadings and seasonings to bring your fried chicken menu to life with flavor and texture.

Henny Penny offers an extensive collection of breading and seasoning formulations. There are options for every taste, menu, and health concern. Click here to explore flavor profiles and menu suggestions for each of our exclusive breadings and seasonings.

In Conclusion…

Starting a fried chicken venture involves more than just great recipes. It’s about finding the right equipment, planning your kitchen layout, and sourcing quality ingredients. For a comprehensive guide, HP Sales Northeast offers a detailed resource, “From Sourcing to Serving”, which is an absolute must-read for any aspiring fried chicken guru!

So, are you ready to fry up some success? Check out their full article for a deeper dive into the world of fried chicken equipment!

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Chicken Thighs: The New Wings?

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After a year of pandemic upheavals, consumers are ready to spend, but supply chain challenges are causing shortages and price hikes in unexpected places, including chicken. Amidst this, there’s an interesting twist: the underappreciated chicken thigh. Henny Penny lays out some key information on their blog titled “Chicken Thighs: The new wings?“

The Chicken Shortage Scenario

Industry experts have been flagging low supplies and price increases in chicken since early last year. While chicken production stabilized, processing plants still face labor shortages. Plus, the frenzy for chicken sandwiches and wings continues to skyrocket demand, especially for wings.

Wing Consumption vs. Thigh Opportunity

Despite a dip in Super Bowl viewership, wing consumption hit a record high. But here’s a thought – for every pair of wings, there’s a pair of thighs, often overlooked and undervalued. Thighs sell for less and offer more meat, presenting an intriguing opportunity for restaurant operators.

Thighs: The Underestimated Choice

Chicken thighs don’t enjoy the same popularity in the U.S. as wings or breasts, largely due to limited marketing. Yet, taste tests show a preference for their moist, tender, and flavorful qualities. They’re perfect for savoring the natural taste of chicken.

Wingstop and Nathan’s Famous: Leading the Thigh Trend

Wingstop is incorporating thighs in their menu, while Nathan’s Famous is rolling out thigh-based chicken sandwiches. Thighs are proving versatile and flavorful, suitable for various culinary styles.

For the Small Operators: Thighs as a High-Margin Option

For smaller businesses, chicken thighs offer a profitable alternative. They can be prepared in numerous ways – fried, baked, grilled, or even as lollipop-style finger food. The key for operators is to create a signature thigh dish, promote it creatively, and tap into this untapped market.

Amidst the current chicken shortages, thighs present a cost-effective, delicious option that can diversify your menu and appeal to consumers’ evolving tastes. For more insights on frying techniques and menu innovation, exploring additional resources can be invaluable.

For more information on frying and understanding your options, click here. Or, if you’re already frying and want to analyze an existing program, check out our free download: The Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Frying Program (and how to fix them).

Originally published on www.HennyPenny.com
by Chef Gregg; Henny Penny Corporate Executive Chef

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