--- title: Why Chicken? description: "Chicken: You’ve heard a lot about it – certainly in the fast-food and quick service restaurant (QSR) space, but why is it such a big deal? We found 10 key statistics that helped demonstrate why Chicken is truly king." --- Questions? [Contact Us](https://pfsbrands.com/contact/) or Give Us a Call at **+(855) 632-3373 - [](https://www.facebook.com/PFSbrands/) - [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/706720/) - [](mailto:Customer.Success@PFSbrands.com) [![PFSbrands-Homepage-Our-Support-Your-Success](https://info.pfsbrands.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PFSbrands-Homepage-Our-Support-Your-Success.png?width=436&name=PFSbrands-Homepage-Our-Support-Your-Success.png)](https://pfsbrands.com/) # Why Chicken?  Outside some of the obvious reasons – providing a lower cost and an often-times healthier option than red meat – we found 10 key statistics that helped demonstrate why chicken is truly king. ## Want a top chicken franchise in your store? Fill the form out below!   **![Chicken Sandwhich](https://info.pfsbrands.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ChickenSandwich_MandarinOrangeOnly%20W.png?width=200&name=ChickenSandwich_MandarinOrangeOnly%20W.png)**   #1 Chicken is the #1 protein consumed in America. In fact, Americans consume more chicken than anyone else in the world – more than 92 pounds per capita in 2017.   **![Chicken Tenders](https://info.pfsbrands.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tenders.jpg?width=175&name=Tenders.jpg) ** #2 Chicken consumption per capita has increased nearly every year since the mid 1960’s, while red meat consumption has steadily declined (by about one-third since the 1970’s).   **![Chicken Sandwich](https://info.pfsbrands.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ChickenSandwich_MandarinOrangeOnly%20W.png?width=200&name=ChickenSandwich_MandarinOrangeOnly%20W.png)** ** ** #3 In 2016, the chicken sector surpassed the burger sector as the No. 1 category in the fast food business by purchase consideration.   **![Chicken Tenders](https://info.pfsbrands.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tenders.jpg?width=175&name=Tenders.jpg) ** #4 Chicken production requires about seven times less land and emits seven times less greenhouse gases as beef per gram of protein.   **![Chicken Sandwich](https://info.pfsbrands.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ChickenSandwich_MandarinOrangeOnly%20W.png?width=200&name=ChickenSandwich_MandarinOrangeOnly%20W.png)** ** ** #5 As of 2017, over 280,000 workers were directly employed by the chicken industry, with over 1 million workers indirectly employed.    **![Chicken Tenders](https://info.pfsbrands.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tenders.jpg?width=175&name=Tenders.jpg) ** #6 According to the US Department of Agriculture, global production of chicken is expected to rise 2 percent to a record 19.7 million tons in 2019, supported by growth in domestic and foreign demand. U.S. exports will also rise 3 percent to over 3.2 million tons.   **![Chicken Sandwich](https://info.pfsbrands.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ChickenSandwich_MandarinOrangeOnly%20W.png?width=200&name=ChickenSandwich_MandarinOrangeOnly%20W.png)** ** ** #7 4 of the 10 fastest growing U.S. QSR chains serve chicken. Even more, chicken sales at quick-service and fast casual restaurants jumped 42.1% from 2011 to 2016.   **![Chicken Tenders](https://info.pfsbrands.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tenders.jpg?width=175&name=Tenders.jpg) ** #8 In terms of menu diversification, fast food restaurants saw a 12 percent jump in menu items including chicken from 2009 and 2012.   **![Chicken Sandwich](https://info.pfsbrands.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ChickenSandwich_MandarinOrangeOnly%20W.png?width=200&name=ChickenSandwich_MandarinOrangeOnly%20W.png)** ** ** #9 According to a national chicken council survey, 29% of consumers anticipate eating more chicken from the supermarket and 19% anticipate eating more from a food service establishment.   **![Chicken Tenders](https://info.pfsbrands.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tenders.jpg?width=175&name=Tenders.jpg) ** #10 Over the past five years, the Fast Food Chicken Franchises industry has grown by 7.0% to reach revenue of $29 billion in 2018.   ## Ready to get started in the chicken business? Don’t miss out on being part of this ever-growing $29 billion industry. Take our free Profitability Assessment to learn how you can take action right now in your c-store or g-store to implement a successful chicken foodservice program. [![Get My Profitability Analysis](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3960587/f51b62d7-8609-44ab-8d41-cda651e3da86.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3960587/f51b62d7-8609-44ab-8d41-cda651e3da86) ## Chicken Foodservice Programs We dedicate ourselves to offering you the highest-quality food regardless of what program you choose. With multiple chicken foodservice options, there’s a program or franchise that gives you the support or flexibility you need. ![CC-Packaging-DipperOverflow_2019](https://info.pfsbrands.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CC-Packaging-DipperOverflow_2019.jpg?width=500&height=292&name=CC-Packaging-DipperOverflow_2019.jpg) #### Champs Chicken Our flagship chicken franchise, Champs Chicken offers great products for medium-to-high foot traffic locations. If your customers are looking for a robust flavor profile and you want more support, this is the brand for you. [Learn More](https://pfsbrands.com/champs-chicken/) ![Cooper's Express](https://info.pfsbrands.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Coopers-Express-Pic.png?width=1711&height=1000&name=Coopers-Express-Pic.png) #### Cooper's Express Cooper’s Express fried chicken has a kicked-up flavor profile. Cooper’s Express is great for locations with low-to-medium foot traffic with a simple supply agreement. [Learn More](https://pfsbrands.com/coopers-express/) ##### **Sources:** https://www.nationalchickencouncil.org/about-the-industry/statistics https://apps.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/circulars/livestock_poultry.pdf https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/qsrs-to-grow-46-globally-by-2022-bolstered-by-consumer-demand/542996/ https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/year-of-the-chicken-poultry-menu-items-chicken-chains-surge-in-popularity/543851/ https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/02/chicken-vs-beef_n_4525366.html https://www.nationalchickencouncil.org/survey-shows-us-chicken-consumption-remains-strong/ https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/37531/40641_ldpm-231-01-with-keywords.pdf https://www.wri.org/blog/2018/01/2018-will-see-high-meat-consumption-us-american-diet-shifting https://www.businessinsider.com/fried-chicken-is-taking-over-fast-food-2017-1 https://www.wri.org/blog/2018/01/2018-will-see-high-meat-consumption-us-american-diet-shifting https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-trends/specialized-market-research-reports/business-franchises/food-beverage/fast-food-chicken-franchises.html 170 Commerce Dr, Holts Summit, MO 65043 (855) 632-3373 [Customer.Success@PFSbrands.com](Mailto:customer.success@PFSbrands.com) - [](https://www.facebook.com/PFSbrands/) - [](https://twitter.com/PFSbrands) - [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/706720/) - [](https://www.youtube.com/PFSbrands) - [](mailto:Customer.Success@PFSbrands.com) **MORE INFORMATION** ### Subscribe for the latest in foodservice trends, consumer insights, c-store innovation, operational tips, and PFSbrands news. ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=549292&fmt=gif)