Latest news with #Popeyes
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Could Gen Z Kill Off the American Hamburger?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The hamburger could be on its way out as its spotlight seems to be being taken over by the rise of chicken sandwiches. Experts who spoke to Newsweek attribute this shift in consumer demand in part to Gen Z's growing interest in sustainability and health. Between 2019 and 2024, approximately 2,800 chicken restaurants opened in the United States, while about 1,200 burger joints shut down, according to The Sunday Times, citing Circana's 2025 trends report. During the same time frame, the consumption of fried chicken sandwiches in restaurants increased by 19 percent nationwide, while the consumption of hamburgers declined by 3 percent. Visits to chicken restaurants have also been outpacing consumer trips to other fast-food and fast-casual restaurants, increasing by 4.3 percent year-over-year in the third quarter of 2024, according to the trends research firm Chicken chains also outperformed other restaurants in 2024 in the hamburger category, according to Circana's 2025 Definitive U.S. Restaurant Ranking Report. To qualify for Circana's Top 50 ranking, a restaurant must have an annual consumer spending of more than $1.35 billion, and McDonald's and Chick-fil-A, both of which sell chicken sandwiches, were two of the restaurants leading the way, generating over $100 billion. Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty Commenting on the shifting preferences, McDonald's told Newsweek that "chicken remains a major priority for McDonald's." The fast-food chain also pointed Newsweek to CEO Chris Kempczinski's recent message that McDonald's was "excited about the significant opportunity we see within our chicken portfolio and see the potential to add another point of chicken market share by the end of 2026." Kempczinski spoke about the success of the McCrispy, one of the company's chicken sandwiches, which he said is "now in over 70 markets." McDonald's also recently launched the new McCrispy Strips, stating, "We've been listening to our fans on social and beyond, and they have made one thing clear: they want more chicken." The company told Newsweek that it is "exploring exciting chicken LTOs - like the popular Chicken Big Mac that hit U.S. restaurants for a limited time in 2024." Major chicken chains have also noticed this growing demand for chicken burgers, and Amy Alarcon, vice president of Culinary Innovations at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, told Newsweek: "Our chicken sandwiches continue to be a standout menu item for us, they've truly become a cornerstone of the Popeyes line up." She said that since Popeyes launched its chicken sandwich in 2019, they have seen "consistent demand and strong guest loyalty." Alarcon added that they've also expanded the category with "flavor innovations like our Pickle Glazed Chicken Sandwich, which brought a bold flavor twist and drove a lot of excitement." "The appetite for high-quality chicken sandwiches hasn't slowed down, it's only growing," Alarcon said. She added that she thought the growing demand for chicken sandwiches was because flavors can be more creative compared to traditional beef burgers. "The rise of global flavors and premium ingredients has opened up creative territory in the chicken space that's harder to achieve with traditional hamburgers," she said. Given consumers' increasing appetite for chicken sandwiches over burgers, Alarcon said this trend has "reinforced our commitment to continuing innovation in this space. "We're exploring new formats, flavors and builds that stay true to our Louisiana roots but also push boundaries in craveable, exciting and unexpected ways." More broadly, the consumption of chicken has been increasing in the United States, while consumption of beef has declined, as illustrated in the graph below. Discussing the reasons behind the growing consumer demand for chicken over beef, Harry M. Kaiser, a professor of applied economics and management at Cornell University, told Newsweek that, firstly, "chicken is a lot less expensive than beef." "In 2024, the average price of beef was a little over $8 per pound, while the average price of chicken was just under $2 per pound," he said. Secondly, chicken is considered "healthier than beef, and people have become more health-conscious over time," Kaiser said. He added that this could be why a switch to chicken is happening among products like hamburgers, "which have a higher fat content." As the country becomes increasingly weight-conscious, with the rise of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, more Americans seem to be choosing chicken over beef, Jill J. McCluskey, director of the School of Economic Sciences at Washington State University, told Newsweek. She said that she is currently researching "how consumers' grocery store purchases change after starting GLP-1 drugs, for example Ozempic, and chicken purchases increase after the consumer starts these drugs." There also appears to be a sustainability factor behind America's changing consumer demands, as there is "a perception that burgers are unhealthy and bad for the environment," McCluskey said, adding that "chicken is perceived as more sustainable and healthier." This is particularly relevant for Gen Z, she added, as "Gen Z consumers care more about sustainability than past generations." In a 2020 study by First Insight, Inc., 73 percent of Gen Z participants surveyed indicated that they would pay more for sustainable items, with the majority also willing to pay a 10 percent price premium. Gen Z's passion for sustainability was also highlighted in a 2024 report by Innova Market Insights, which found that 34 percent of Gen Z reported being concerned about the planet's health, the highest percentage among any generation surveyed in the report. Kaiser also noted that Gen Z tends to prefer chicken over beef, adding that "younger people eat less meat, and a lot less beef than older generations." According to findings from Technomic's Q4 2023 North American Meat Institute Protein PACT consumer report, cited by National Hog Farmer, 51 percent of Gen Z respondents reported eating more chicken in the past year, which was higher than the average of 41 percent. High-protein diets are a growing preference in the U.S. and were the most followed diet in the country in 2024, according to data from Statista. Given Gen Z's concern for the environment and animal welfare, most people in America who identify as vegetarians fall within that age range, the data said. It suggests that Gen Z generally tends to opt for environmentally friendly meat sources, such as poultry, or refrain from eating meat altogether. McCluskey said that she expected the demand for chicken "to continue to expand, capitalizing on the perception that it is healthier and better for the environment."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Need a burger after this': Plymouth man training to repeat win in international lifting competition
A Plymouth man is going for the gold again. Robert Cutts spent more than 30 years in law enforcement, and later this month, the weightlifter will again be competing in the World Police and Fire Games. He won the top spot in 2015 in powerlifting. Advertisement When it comes to weights, more is better for Cutts. As he warmed up at a Plymouth gym, he quickly jumped from 225 pounds to 315 pounds as he loosened up. 'I like challenging myself. I've worked 31 years doing this and God's given me a gift, and I'm going to continue using it so they're going to have to drag me off the platform.' That platform will be in Birmingham, Alabama, where the World Police and Fire Games will be held. 'It's an Olympic-style competition, and even some of these first responders are actually Olympians, so it's very competitive. Cutts will be one of eight thousand first responders competing in 62 different sports. 65 countries will be represented. Advertisement Power weightlifting didn't become a passion for Cutts until he was in his 30s. When he first started, Cutts weighed 234 pounds. He says his coach took him to the buffet at the Golden Corral twice a day, and his weight jumped to 400 pounds in about 2 years. His personal best came in 2000 when he lifted 573 pounds in a competition held in Brockton. Cutts grew up in Harwich and still has roots on Cape Cod. When he won his gold medal in 2015, he didn't keep it. He donated it to the weight room at the Yarmouth Police Department in honor of fallen Sergeant Sean Gannon. 'It was just in the spirit of being a first responder and knowing that this man put his life on the line. The medal means really nothing, but it was just a gesture to say, you know, yeah, when I'm on that platform, I think of the lost first responders.' Advertisement At 65, Cutts has no plans to lighten his load. He donates his time at local schools, trying to get young people interested in lifting. 'On some team sports, some kids get very frustrated that they don't play, but in power lifting, it doesn't matter if your kid lifts 50 or 1000. As a parent, you're going to see them lift, and people come to see you lift. They don't see you miss the shot. It's very encouraging.' He feels the sport has changed his life and hopes it can have the same effect on the next generation. For now, after a good workout, Cutts is ready to move on to phase II of his training. 'I'm going to need a burger after this, maybe some Popeyes,' he says with a chuckle. Advertisement Participants at these games will compete in traditional sports like basketball, cycling, softball, and golf. They also have the option to test their skills as first responders. There's a police pistol competition as well as a battle to be named the ultimate firefighter. The games kick off on June 27. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
AsiaOne
4 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
Porridge, pancakes and more: Popeyes enters Singapore's fast-food breakfast game, Lifestyle News
There's a new player in the fast-food breakfast game, and it goes by the name of Popeyes. The US-based fast-food chain, famous for its New Orleans-style fried chicken, is introducing a breakfast menu from Wednesday (May 28) across all 19 outlets islandwide. Earlier today, Popeyes shared the news on social media. "This isn't just breakfast. It's a bold new movement. And it's only at Popeyes Singapore," the caption read. The announcement is a major milestone for the fast-food brand, sharing that the new breakfast menu is its first in Asia. Calling it a 'Breakfast Symphony', Popeyes is looking to blend its Louisiana flavours with familiar local breakfast classics. Diners can expect breakfast burgers such as Poppy Cajun Stack or Poppy Chicken Sausage & Egg Muffin. Other breakfast delights include Signature Poppy Chicken & Waffles Platter and Chicken Porridge. Let's not forget a pivotal piece of a fast-food breakfast meal: hashbrowns. At Popeyes, diners can expect a tingle of spice with their Cajun Hashbrown. Its 24-hour outlets — at Changi Airport Terminal 1, Northpoint City, Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard, The Rail Mall, The Seletar Mall, Viva Business Park and Woodlands Exchange — will serve the breakfast menu from 4am to 11am, while others will be from 7.30am to 11am. In celebration of the new menu items, Popeyes is launching weekly weekday promotions. From May 28 to June 3, diners can have their Poppy Sausage & Egg Muffin Value Meal at $6.90 (U.P. $10.50) Simply present a screenshot of the e-coupon to redeem the promotion. [[nid:696053]] amierul@
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Fried chicken proceeds to support Ben Stelter Foundation
A fundraiser poster at a Popeyes restaurant in downtown Edmonton on May 27, 2025. (Nahreman Issa/CTV News Edmonton) A fundraising push in honour of Oilers superfan Ben Stelter was underway in Edmonton on Tuesday. 'Celebrating by doing some of Benny's favorite things today. Eating some of the food that he loves so much and then we'll go to cheer on his Edmonton Oilers tonight,' Ben's father Mike Stelter said, at a downtown Popeyes restaurant. Popeyes in Edmonton Celebrating Ben Stelter at a fundraising event at Popeyes in downtown Edmonton on May 27, 2025. (Nahreman Issa/CTV News Edmonton) Ben died from cancer at the age of six in 2022. Tuesday marked what would have been his 9th birthday. Stelter said Ben's favourite meal between his cancer treatments was the spicy chicken tenders, fries and mac and cheese at Popeyes. '(After being) in the hospital, when he'd come home - he'd always request Popeyes as his first meal that we'd sit down and eat as a family together,' Stelter said. Kyle Ferbey, chief operating officer of Synergy Franchising, learned about Ben's love for the chicken at a charity event and decided to team up with the Stelter family and raise money in honour of Ben. 'Ben just was always such an inspiration for me, personally, and I think for everyone in the city to go through what he went through and the hardship he had,' Ferbey said, remembering Ben's rally for the Oilers while battling cancer. 'To always have a smile on his face and to be a pillar of power, even for the people of Edmonton, but also the Oilers and the players, (it's) just a reminder that people go through a lot harder things than what we do every day.' All net proceeds from 21 Popeyes locations in northern Alberta will go to the Ben Stelter Foundation, which is raising money to bring an advanced cancer radiation therapy to Edmonton. The foundation first announced plans to build The Ben Stelter Centre for Proton Therapy and Neurosciences in March 2024, which they said would be a first for proton therapy in Canada. 'Hundreds of Albertans have to travel to the United States for this treatment every year,' Stelter said. 'We're hoping to break ground on it in fall of this year, but we're still working hard raising money for it.' Popeyes also set up a campaign to collect cash donations for the charity at its restaurant locations from May 20 to June 3. A fundraiser at a St Albert School A table with treats at a school raffle fundraising event at Joseph M. Demko School in St. Albert on May 27, 2025. (Nahreman Issa/CTV News Edmonton) Celebrations for Ben also took place at a school in St. Albert, which has celebrated Ben's birthday for the past three years with a fundraiser. 'Ben was a huge example of what one little human can do for a community, a province, a city, Canada, the world, because we have heard over time how his spirit has impacted many children,' Joseph M. Demko School principal Susan Anderson told CTV News Edmonton after a school assembly. Anderson says the school holds a raffle for prizes and sweet treats that are donated by the community. This year, she said they raised more than $5,000 for the Ben Stelter Foundation. Stelter says the love for Ben and the support for the foundation are touching. '(It) just speaks volumes about how much the city cares and that they remember him, that they think about him a lot too,' Stelter said. 'I don't think there's anywhere else in the world where the community would rally around one special boy, one family, one foundation.' Donations for the Ben Stelter Foundation can also be made on their website and through the purchase of hoodies and shirts from their new online store. With files from CTV News Edmonton's Nahreman Issa and Bruce Wiggins
Global News
5 days ago
- Sport
- Global News
Popeyes in Edmonton supports the Ben Stelter Foundation with 1st annual ‘Ben's Day'
It's the first ever Ben's Day at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen across Edmonton, in celebration of a little boy who brought the city together both in joy and grief. 'Just the idea to make Ben's Day something for the whole community is really cool,' said Mike Stelter, the father of Ben Stelter: a passionate Edmonton Oilers fan whose battle with brain cancer and how the team supported him captivated the community. The idea for Ben's Day came about after parents Mike and Lea Stelter met Kyle Ferbey about a year ago. Ferbey is with the franchise group that owns all the Popeyes fast food restaurants in Edmonton and northern Alberta – and he quickly learned Ben was a big fan of their fried chicken and southern sides. 'I found out that Ben's favourite meal was from Popeyes,' Ferbey said. Story continues below advertisement 'Whenever he would leave the hospital or on his birthday, he would always request Popeyes.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Whenever he would leave the hospital or on his birthday, he would always request Popeyes." Ben's go-to meal was spicy chicken, mac and cheese and cajun French fries. 2:55 Beloved Edmonton Oilers fan Ben Stelter, 6, dies after fight with brain cancer Ferbey knew he had to do something special to honour Ben; so from now on every May 27 will be Ben's Day at Popeyes. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'To have an opportunity to do something for the community that I know is going to make a big difference in our city – it's something that I feel so good about and absolutely love being a part of,' Ferbey said. The net proceeds from participating stores in Edmonton and Northern Alberta will go to the Ben Stelter Foundation. 'Edmonton is a community like no other,' Mike said. Story continues below advertisement 'The way they rallied around Ben, our family and the foundation is incredible and we've been able to help so many kids like Ben — which is what he wanted so bad.' Ben was a huge Oilers fan. The team, and all of Edmonton, embraced him through his cancer fight. 2:04 Edmontonians say goodbye to young Oilers fan Ben Stelter The team viewed the six-year-old, who died from an aggressive glioblastoma brain cancer in August 2022, as its bright light and good luck charm. A huge Oilers fan, Ben's dream was to meet Connor McDavid. Dressed in an Oilers jersey and McDavid socks, that dream came true when Ben skated to centre ice with his hero for the anthems. View image in full screen Ben Stelter, a young Edmonton Oilers fan with cancer, poses with Connor McDavid in the team's locker room earlier in 2022. Credit: Mike Stelter The team pledged before the start of the 2021-22 season they would play La Bamba after every win at Rogers Place in honour of long-time locker room assistant Joey Moss. Story continues below advertisement Ben became known for telling the team to 'Play La Bamba, baby!' and became a household name in Edmonton and beyond. To this day, the Mexican folk song still echoes throughout Rogers Place when the team wins a game. Tuesday, May 27, 2025 would have been his 9th birthday. 'The overwhelming support from the community, the messages we got today even before making a single post — people reaching out saying 'thinking of you today' and wishing Ben a happy birthday is so special,' Mike said.
