'Panera Bread' has announced two upcoming grilled and marinated chicken sandwiches. The restaurant deliberately sought to make its chicken sandwich healthier than competitors. It achieved this by marinating and lightly seasoning a grilled chicken breast rather than breading and frying a chicken breast. Panera Bread stated that it believes there is a market for people who care more about their health and still want to enjoy a delicious restaurant-made chicken sandwich.
Panera Bread will release two chicken sandwiches; one signature version and one spicy version. The signature chicken sandwich includes parmesan crisps, aioli, and a four-ounce chicken breast, while the spicy version features the addition of pickle chips and a spicy buffalo sauce. The nature of these chicken sandwiches being made with grilled, seasoned, and marinated chicken breasts will result in them costing slightly more than competitors according to Panera Bread, but they will also be healthier and "more craveable."
Marinated Chicken Sandwiches
Panera Bread Announced Two Upcoming Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
Trend Themes
1. Grilled and Marinated Chicken - Restaurants can offer healthier options for popular menu items by using grilled and marinated chicken instead of fried and breaded chicken.
2. Increased Demand for Healthier Fast Food - The success of Panera Bread's grilled and marinated chicken sandwiches indicates a growing demand for healthier fast food options that still maintain taste and quality.
3. Signature and Spicy Versions of Menu Items - Offering variations of popular menu items, such as Panera Bread's signature and spicy chicken sandwiches, can appeal to a wider range of customer preferences and increase sales.
Industry Implications
1. Fast Food - Fast food restaurants can innovate by offering healthier options, like Panera Bread's grilled and marinated chicken sandwiches, to keep up with changing consumer preferences for healthier food choices
2. Food Service and Catering - Caterers and food service providers can explore the trend of offering healthier menu options, such as grilled and marinated chicken sandwiches, to attract health-conscious clients and differentiate themselves from competitors.
3. Consumer Packaged Goods - Consumer packaged goods companies can capitalize on the growing demand for healthier fast food options by creating and marketing products that offer healthier versions of popular menu items, such as grilled and marinated chicken sandwiches.