Culver’s has renovated its chicken sandwich lineupCulver’s has renovated its chicken sandwich lineup

Culver’s wants a piece of the intensifying chicken category, today announcing a complete revamp of its chicken sandwich lineup, available on the permanent menu systemwide starting June 16.

The chain spent several years collecting guest feedback, developing, and testing its new sandwiches, which include the Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Crispy Chicken Sandwich, and Grilled Chicken Sandwich. According to the company, each sandwich includes an improved chicken filet, crunchier pickle slices, mayo, lettuce, tomato, and a new, toasted brioche bun.

"We know the love our guests have for chicken, so we wanted to give them new chicken sandwich options that are undeniably delicious," Culver’s head of culinary Kasey McDonald said in a statement. "Every little detail is improved — from the juiciness of the chicken to the soft, new brioche bun it sits on. We took our time to make sure we got these perfect. We're certain that once you taste them, you'll love them.”

To encourage guests to try them, Culver's is giving away a free chicken sandwich to the first 100 guests who order one at all 1,000-plus restaurants on June 16. The giveaway is valid for dine-in, to-go, or drive-thru orders only, and each eligible guest will have their choice of their preferred sandwich.

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During a recent interview, Culver’s chief executive officer, Julie Fussner, who was named to that position in April, said one of her priorities is to improve customer experiences, including their menu and digital experiences.

“All chicken sandwiches will be completely renovated to add quality to the products,” she said.

Culver’s is typically known as a burger brand, thanks to its signature ButterBurgers, but the entire industry has shifted more of its focus toward chicken of late as consumer demand for the protein remains elevated. Indeed, the chicken category has continued to drive much of the industry’s recent growth, including a nearly 15% sales increase for the top 500 chicken chains in 2024, according to Technomic data. That is compared to the overall industry, which grew by just over 3%. That said, Culver’s has also far outpaced most of its burger peers, with 15.5% year-over-year sales growth in 2024 and average unit volumes above $3.8 million.

Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]