Fast-food companies KFC and Chick-fil-A bet big on chicken tenders [Video]

Fast-food companies like Yum! Brands’ KFC and McDonald’s are getting back into chicken tenders as a way to attract consumers with a low-risk, high-reward bet on a familiar favorite.  

Nearly half of all fast-food restaurants served the chicken item as of the third quarter, up 5.7% from the same period in 2019, according to Technomic’s Ignite Menu data. More eateries are adding chicken tenders to other dishes like salads and wraps.

Taco Bell, also owned by Yum! Brands, has been testing chicken strips in tacos and burritos. McDonald’s says it’s also testing out versions of its McCrispy sandwich, which will be available in nearly every global market by the end of 2025.

The snack, a $6 billion category for fast food, has transcended the kid’s menu. Just look at the success of Raising Cane’s, which offers a menu of entirely chicken fingers. The company reportedits first billion-dollar quarter at the start of this year. Its same-store …