Fried Chicken Buckets Decline as Americans Prioritize Convenience Over Traditional Meals
Fried chicken buckets, a once-familiar fixture in many American homes, are fading from dinner tables as busy consumers increasingly favor convenient, less messy alternatives like chicken sandwiches and tenders. The change in dining preferences is not abrupt but reflects a broader shift in lifestyle and eating habits driven by the fast pace of modern life.
According to data from Datassential, listings for bone-in fried chicken meals have dropped by 72% over the past four years, while demand for boneless chicken wings and tenders has grown by 29%. This trend is visibly impacting major players like KFC, which recently reintroduced its original recipe tenders in 2024 after experiencing declining sales. Despite its global popularity, KFC has reported an 8% decline in U.S. system sales, as per Yum! Brands’ latest quarterly report.
Industry experts attribute this shift to changing consumer behaviors and the increasing preference for foods that align with contemporary lifestyles. Crystal Gorges, a marketing expert in Clearwater, Florida, notes that buckets of fried chicken used to symbolize family time and shared meals around the table. Now, with life moving at a faster pace, families are gravitating toward foods that are easier to grab, eat on the go, and fit into multitasking routines.
From a marketing perspective, tenders and chicken sandwiches are considered a ‘visual win’ due to their clean packaging and aesthetic appeal for social media. Brands are adapting to meet the evolving preferences of consumers, offering comfort food that blends convenience with familiar flavors. Jordan Lee, a brand strategist and publicity manager, echoes this sentiment, stating that traditional sit-down meals are becoming rarer, replaced by quick meals consumed while engaging in other activities like watching TV or working between meetings.
This transition highlights a broader cultural shift in American dining habits, where convenience and adaptability have overtaken the traditional family meal. As a result, the fast-food industry is continuously adjusting its offerings to align with the practical needs of today’s consumers, even if it means reimagining classic recipes for a modern audience.