Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs said Taco Bell’s recently launched Cantina Chicken menu has so far performed “above our expectations.”
Gibbs commented about the early success of the Cantina Chicken menu, officially launched in March 2024, while speaking at the Yum! Brands second quarter earnings call on August 6.
Gibbs said during the most recent quarter, “unmatched innovation fueled Taco Bell U.S.’ 7% increase in system sales with Cantina Chicken performing above our expectations.”
Touted as products that include “a new flavorful chicken that's been slow-roasted with a savory seasoning of Mexican spices including garlic, onions and a variety of chilies,” the Cantina Chicken menu began with five particular menu items. Those included the Cantina Chicken Soft Taco, Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco, Cantina Chicken Burrito, Cantina Chicken Quesadilla and Cantina Chicken Bowl.
During the earnings call, Gibbs said since the Cantina Chicken platform’s launch, “Taco Bell’s chicken sales mix has increased 10 points with nearly one in four orders including a (Cantina Chicken) item.”
The company intends to continue to develop and launch new products under the Cantina Chicken banner. For example, already in Yum! Brands’ third quarter, Taco Bell has launched the Cantina Chicken Cheesy Street Taco Chalupas, which Gibbs says are “off to a good start.”
“That's an example of what we can do with that menu. We'll probably re-hit Cantina Chicken in Q4. And then you've got all sorts of other great things going on at Taco Bell like speed of service, improving loyalty program launches. So hopefully, again in the sense of confidence we have in Taco Bell as we move forward. And in this environment, I think we're really seeing Taco Bell stand out from the crowd, outperforming the QSR industry by a wide margin,” said Gibbs.
Yum! Brands, in addition to being the parent company of Taco Bell, is also the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut and The Habit Burger Grill.
In other chicken foodservice news:
- Native Grill & Wings launched the wing-eating contest, Holmberg’s “Handle the Heat,” with Arizona radio personality Holmberg hosting the competition. Between August 8 and August 28, the locally born chain will host weekly challenges across Phoenix area Native Grill & Wings locations where locals can see if they can handle the heat and secure a spot in the Championship round on September 4.
- Krispy Krunchy Chicken has introduced a $4 Value Meal, which features two options. Guests can choose from two pieces of dark meat bone-in fried chicken or two hand-breaded white-meat Cajun Tenders. The bone-in option includes the customer’s choice of a 2-piece combo of hand-breaded mildly Cajun-spiced drumsticks, thighs, or full wings. Each meal is served with Krispy Krunchy potato wedges. Krispy Krunchy Chicken uses mild Cajun marinade and custom breading every time, with chicken made in small batches right before serving. The $4 Value Meal is available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at participating locations.
