The newest Popeyes chicken tenders are identified as sweet and crunchy for a reason—they are coated with shortbread cookies. The Sweet & Crunchy Chicken Tenders are now being sold for a limited time as a $5 menu item that comes with a side, a biscuit and a Smokin' Pepper Jam sauce.
Across the food and beverage industry, consumers are looking to find sweet, salty, spicy and savory flavor notes in unexpected places, offering a new way to enjoy a favorite treat. In the case of the Sweet & Crunchy Tenders, there are plenty of textures to be enjoyed, as well as both sweet and spicy flavors.
Previously, Popeyes has experimented with enhancing its chicken dishes with sweet flavors, such as it did with its Magnolia Blossom Chicken, which included the bold, vibrant taste of a citrus orange.
Cookie-Coated Chicken Dishes
These Popeyes Chicken Tenders are Coated with Shortbread Cookies
Trend Themes
1. Sweet and Savory Food Pairings - Food and beverage companies can experiment with combining sweet and savory flavors to create new taste experiences and capture consumer interest.
2. Texture-driven Food Innovation - Creating unexpected textures in foods can offer a unique experience to consumers and differentiate products in a crowded market.
3. Incorporating Snack Foods Into Mealtime - More companies can look at ways to incorporate snack foods into traditional meals to offer a new take on familiar dishes.
Industry Implications
1. Fast Food - Fast food companies can experiment with new ways to enhance their traditional menu items by incorporating unexpected flavor combinations and textures.
2. Snack Food - Snack food companies can explore potential partnerships with fast food chains to highlight the versatility and usage of their products in mealtime settings.
3. Consumer Packaged Goods - Consumer packaged goods companies can develop new products that offer different textures and flavor profiles to stand out in a competitive marketplace.