Chicken Sales, Popeyes Wraps, Miller’s CEO

Why It Matters

The muted chicken growth highlights market saturation, prompting brands to seek menu innovation and operational leadership to sustain profitability.

Key Takeaways

• Chicken category growth slowed to 5.3% in 2025.
• Wingstop sales rose 11% after 37% surge previous year.
• Dave’s Hot Chicken sales jumped 51% in 2025.
• Popeyes adds permanent chicken wraps, three flavors, $3.99 each.
• Miller’s Ale House appoints Joel Chick as new CEO.

Pulse Analysis

The chicken segment, once a high‑growth engine for quick‑service restaurants, is now showing its first sustained slowdown. Technomic reports a 5.3% sales increase in 2025, down from double‑digit gains in the previous two years, while the number of chicken‑focused outlets has risen 46% over the past decade. This density erodes traffic for legacy brands; Wingstop’s growth fell to 11% after a 37% jump the year before. At the same time, niche concepts such as Dave’s Hot Chicken are thriving, posting a 51% sales surge, underscoring the shift toward differentiated, high‑margin concepts.

Popeyes’ decision to cement its chicken wraps as a permanent offering reflects that shift. Launched as a limited‑time test last summer, the wraps now come in classic, spicy and blackened‑ranch varieties at $3.99, with a two‑wrap bundle priced at $9.99. The move positions Popeyes in the increasingly crowded wrap arena, where fast‑food giants from McDonald’s to Long John Silver’s are vying for the portable‑protein niche. By locking in a low‑price, flavor‑rich product, Popeyes aims to capture impulse traffic and boost same‑store sales without a major menu overhaul.

The leadership change at Miller’s Ale House could be equally consequential. COO Joel Chick, a veteran of Outback Steakhouse and Red Lobster operations, steps into the CEO role after Brett Patterson’s departure to Portillo’s. With 115 locations and a bar‑and‑grill model that blends casual dining with sports‑venue appeal, Miller’s is poised for expansion, and Chick’s operational pedigree may accelerate that trajectory. Investors will watch whether the new CEO can replicate the efficiency gains seen at his former employers while navigating the competitive mid‑scale dining landscape.