After customers labeled Burger King’s chicken nuggets “dry,” “rubbery” and “disappointing,” the chain decided enough was enough — and gave its smallest chicken offering a major makeover.
Released on September 1, the new chicken nuggets are crispier than the original nuggets, which were added first menus in 1985. The recipe has also been updated with a more flavorful marinade and new packaging, Burger King said.
It follows the chain’s update of its signature Whopper in February with a new box packaging, a new bun and a new ‘creamier’ mayonnaise, in response to customer complaints that the burger – which used to be wrapped in paper – was often squashed during transport.
In an August earnings call, the company said the following updates for the Whopper were paying off. The chain reported that same-store sales in the U.S. increased 8.5% year over year in the second quarter and that customers purchased approximately 20% more Whoppers than in the previous period.
When I spoke to leadership at Burger King’s Miami headquarters in April, Chief Marketing Officer Joel Yashinsky said the chain was focused not only on menu innovation, but also on upgrade the existing menu.
“We’ve really been working over the last four years to improve the restaurant experience – our operations, our technology in the restaurants, remodels – and we’re also taking our food to the next level,” he said.
I tried Burger King’s new chicken nuggets to see how they compare to the original version.
