Chicken Wing Shortage Not Going Away Anytime Soon

Do you feel like it’s harder to get ahold of chicken wings these past weeks? No, you’re not imagining things. And it’s not just a chicken wing shortage – it seems like chicken meat, in general, is flying off the shelves, causing a few restaurants to run out. 

A few weeks ago, North Carolina-based chicken joint Bojangles took to Twitter to announce that their chicken tenders won’t be available across its 750 locations. According to the tweet, a “system-wide shortage” left them no choice but to cross it off the menu for the moment. But they promised to have their chicken tenders back “soon.”

Bongales isn’t the only chain running low on chicken. Yum! Brands, which operates KFC, also said they’re experiencing the same issue. According to Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs, the popularity of their new chicken sandwich, along with a tightened local supply, poses a great challenge to meet current demands.

Amid the challenge, however, KFC isn’t facing a shortage. In an interview with CNN Business, a rep for the chain said they’re working closely with their supply partners to ensure that they will continue to meet market demands.

The National Chicken Council chimed in and said there isn’t officially a chicken shortage. A spokesperson admitted, however, that there is a very tight supply at the moment, thereby explaining why some chicken favorites are off the menu at the moment.

Sandwich War Adds to the Chicken Wing Shortage

Two main factors seem to have affected the industry, leading to the chicken wing shortage: coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and chicken sandwich war. 

The onset of the pandemic greatly affected the fast food industry last year. As a result, players needed to pivot fast and jump on what industry observers call the “chicken sandwich war.” Since the last quarter of 2020, in fact, at least ten major restaurant chains in the U.S. have launched a chicken sandwich. These players include Jack in the Box, McDonald’s, and Shake Shack.

The vast options for chicken menu items seemed to have fueled consumers’ cravings even more. According to DoorDash’s State of the Flavor report, the top most ordered items from January to October 2020 were chicken fingers and fries. Fried chicken sandwich, the weapon used in the fast-food war, comes in at number two. Also in the top ten are other chicken-based items – chicken quesadilla and chicken tikka masala.

Winter Storms and Labor Shortage

Needless to say, high demand has been a factor in the ramped-up prices of chicken nationwide. And to make matters worse, winter storms experienced in the South in February have also added to the pressure endured by the industry.

However, an executive neck-deep in the chicken industry pointed out another big factor in supply: labor. 

Wingstop CEO Charlie Morrison sees the government’s enhanced stimulus as a factor in limiting the amount of labor in the job market. As a result, suppliers are finding it harder to hire labor for chicken processing. And that, according to the chicken wings magnate, has contributed to the current supply size.

Plant-Based Chicken, Anyone?

While chicken sandwich and chicken wings chains are grappling with short supply, some companies are spotting a new market opportunity. 

According to Bloomberg, Beyond Meat is planning to launch a plant-based chicken product in the summer. The Los Angeles plant-based meat company partnered with KFC in 2019 to offer a one-day trial of vegan fried chicken. The product sold out in five hours, showing the huge potential of the vegan market.

Following the success of the trial, Yum! Brands said they’re excited to partner with Beyond Meat for longer-term plant-based menu items. This step, according to the fast-food corporation, can bring in more customers, especially the younger market.