Fried Chicken Market Report 2026

The fried chicken market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $100.11 billion in 2025 to $107.19 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of global fast-food culture, rising urbanization levels, increasing consumption of convenience foods, strong presence of quick service restaurants, affordability of fried chicken meals.

The fried chicken market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $139.66 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for premium fast-food experiences, rising growth of online food delivery platforms, expansion of cloud kitchens, growing interest in healthier fast-food alternatives, increasing experimentation with global flavors. Major trends in the forecast period include menu innovation in fried chicken offerings, rising demand for premium and gourmet fried chicken, growing focus on healthier frying techniques, expansion of online food delivery channels, increased localization of flavor profiles.

The shift in consumer preferences toward convenience food is expected to propel the growth of the fried chicken market going forward. This shift is influenced by hectic schedules, the growing need for quick and easy meal solutions, a preference for familiar and satisfying flavors, and an increased focus on time-saving options without compromising taste or quality. Fried chicken is widely consumed as a convenience food due to its ready-to-eat nature, rich flavor, and quick preparation. For instance, in April 2024, according to a report published by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), a US-based trade association, total industry foodservice sales, including prepared food, commissary items, and dispensed beverages, accounted for 26.9% of in-store sales in 2023, up from 25.6% in 2022, with prepared food sales per store per month growing by 12.2%. Therefore, the shift in consumer preferences toward convenience foods is driving the fried chicken market.

Key players in the fried chicken market are concentrating on developing innovative products, such as reinvented fried chicken, to gain a competitive advantage. Reinvented fried chicken includes modern or novel versions of traditional fried chicken that incorporate new techniques, flavors, or presentations. For instance, in November 2023, Home Chef LLC, a US-based meal kit delivery service, in collaboration with its parent company Kroger Co., a US-based grocery retailer, launched an updated fried chicken product designed to enhance crispiness, crunchiness, and flavor. The new product features double-breaded chicken using innovative ingredients such as tapioca starch and potato starch for better texture and crunch, and a blend of 10 spices, including garlic, paprika, and thyme, for a well-seasoned taste.

In April 2024, Heinz, a US company known for its food products, formed a partnership with Morley's for an undisclosed sum. This collaboration was intended to bolster Heinz's presence in the fast-food sector by combining its famous condiments with Morley's popular chicken dishes, thereby enhancing the customer experience. Morley's is a UK-based chicken shop recognized for its delicious fried chicken and extensive reach throughout London.

Major companies operating in the fried chicken market are Tyson Foods, Hy-Vee Inc., Perdue Farms LLC, Yum! Brands Inc., Chick-fil-A, Wayne Farms LLC, Mountaire Farms Inc., Jollibee Foods Corp, Simmons Foods Inc., Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers LLC, Zaxbys SPE Franchisor LLC, House of Raeford Farms Inc., Peco Foods Inc, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Bojangles International LLC, Wingstop Inc, Crest Foods Co., Kavi Protein & Feed Pvt. Ltd., Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken, AJ Foods.

North America was the largest region in the fried chicken market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the fried chicken market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the fried chicken market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The fried chicken market consists of sales of karaage, buffalo wings, yangnyeom chicken, hot chicken, and barberton chicken. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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