Get Adobe Flash player

American

Boston Red Sox Taps Krispy Krunchy Chicken for Fenway

Get ready, Red Sox Nation, because Krispy Krunchy Chicken, one of the fastest growing hot food concepts in the country, has just been named the Official Fried Chicken of the Boston Red Sox. The fried chicken brand, best known for a national footprint in over 3200 convenience stores, will feature its fresh, hand-breaded chicken tenders and krispy chicken sandwich at Fenway Park as the ballpark’s official fried chicken offering.

Fenway Park, the oldest Major League Baseball ballpark still in use, has an impressive history of over 100 years. In addition to being home to the Boston Red Sox, it is also known for its trademark features like the “Green Monster,” the Pesky Pole, and the Lone Red Seat. The park is well and deservedly known as an icon of sports culture.

And, starting opening day, April 4, fans of both the Red Sox and great chicken have something else to celebrate as Krispy Krunchy Chicken joins the Fenway Park menu. Both jumbo chicken tenders and the all-breast meat chicken sandwich will be available throughout Fenway Park, in addition to other ballpark staples.

“Introducing Krispy Krunchy Chicken to one of Major League Baseball’s most beloved ballparks is a prestigious milestone for our brand,” said Jim Norberg, CEO of Krispy Krunchy Chicken. “This partnership reinforces that our fried chicken truly belongs in the major leagues and we’re proud to call Fenway Park home.”

The agreement with the Boston Red Sox marks the first MLB deal for Krispy Krunchy. With its dominance in convenience stores, the brand is now reaching out to new fans in new places, whether it be in Fenway Park, or universities or other non-traditional venues.

“The Boston Red Sox are excited to welcome Krispy Krunchy Chicken as the Official Fried Chicken of the Boston Red Sox,” said Troup Parkinson, Chief Marketing and Partnerships Officer, Boston Red Sox. “With bold flavors and high quality ingredients, Krispy Krunchy Chicken will elevate the gameday experience for our fans, providing a distinctive new offering to Fenway Park’s food lineup that the entire family can enjoy.”

For more information, visit www.krispykrunchy.com or follow the brand on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Krispy Krunchy Chicken®, founded in Louisiana in 1989, is a quick-serve solution for convenience stores, truck stops and universities across the U.S. The store-in-store concept allows licensees to serve hand-breaded, mildly Cajun-spiced fried chicken and all white meat tenders to its guests, to increase their in-store profitability and drive frequency. The full menu also includes an award-winning Cajun Chicken Sandwich, NEW all-white meat nuggets, a variety of sides and the brand’s trademark honey biscuits.

With a weekly chicken sales volume exceeding one million pounds, Krispy Krunchy Chicken operates more than 3,200 retail locations across 47 states in the United States and is rapidly expanding. To learn more about partnering with Krispy Krunchy Chicken, visit http://krispykrunchy.com/partnering.

For more news of interest to the foodservice industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

Oscar Mayer Brings Back Iconic ‘Bologna Song’

In 1974, Oscar Mayer aired “The Bologna song” commercial for the first time, capturing the American zeitgeist and teaching people coast to coast how to spell B-O-L-O-G-N-A. Now, 50 years later, Oscar Mayer re-introduces the world to the iconic ad, the longest running jingle in advertising history, all while rewarding fans who sing along.

Complete with the same 1970s camera quality and original lyrics for fans to sing loud and proud, Oscar Mayer re-aired “The Bologna song” original commercial to millions nationwide during the big Thanksgiving football game last week. To delight those who grew up loving the jingle and those who may have seen it for the first time, Oscar Mayer is commemorating the song’s anniversary with the debut of “Sing To Pay”—giving fans nationwide who correctly sing its lyrics the opportunity to cash in on free groceries, including delicious Oscar Mayer Bologna.

“50 years ago, we introduced the world to ‘The Bologna song,’ as a way to spotlight our delicious deli meats and cement the brand’s legacy and mantra of uniting millions around a love of meat,” said Shelby Max, brand manager for Oscar Mayer. “We knew this anniversary was a moment that needed to be celebrated in a big way, both for those who remember and those that are new. By re-airing the original ad and becoming the first brand to accept singing as a form of payment, we want to remind fans everywhere that bologna has a first name – it’s O-S-C-A-R.”

Now through Sunday, Dec. 15, fans can submit an audio recording correctly singing “The Bologna song” lyrics to SingtoPay.com and could receive an Instacart credit to use on Oscar Mayer Bologna and any other groceries, while supplies last. Any and all singing abilities welcome!

The fun doesn’t stop there – fans in select cities nationwide can warm up their vocal cords because the iconic Wienermobile is bringing “Sing to Pay” to fans in real life. Lucky individuals who spot the 27-foot hot dog on wheels now through Sunday, Dec. 15 can sing “The Bologna song” lyrics to the vehicle’s Hotdoggers and if correct, receive free Oscar Mayer Bologna.

To learn more about the history of “The Bologna song” and all about “Sing to Pay,” visit SingtoPay.com and follow @OscarMayer on Instagram and TikTok.

We are driving transformation at The Kraft Heinz Company, inspired by our Purpose, Let’s Make Life Delicious. Consumers are at the center of everything we do. With 2023 net sales of approximately $27 billion, we are committed to growing our iconic and emerging food and beverage brands on a global scale. We leverage our scale and agility to unleash the full power of Kraft Heinz across a portfolio of eight consumer-driven product platforms. As global citizens, we’re dedicated to making a sustainable, ethical impact while helping feed the world in healthy, responsible ways. Learn more about our journey by visiting www.kraftheinzcompany.com or following us on LinkedIn.

For more news of interest to the food and beverage industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.

How to Make a McRib Sandwich at Home for $1.72

The highly anticipated return of the delicious McRib is set to make its comeback at the end of November at McDonald’s and should cost around $5.39 based on the price in 2023.

In response to this announcement, the verified coupon site Coupons4Real.com has calculated how much it would cost to recreate the McRib at home for a fraction of the price. Using ingredients sourced from one of America’s most accessible retailers, Walmart, the total cost to recreate the BBQ delicacy was calculated.

The total weight of a McRib is 7.4 ounces, so the ingredients were measured and weighed to replicate the original recipe at the lowest possible cost.

Ingredient List:

  • Smithfield Signature Ground Pork (4 oz) – $0.87 per serving
  • Ball Park Tailgaters Deli Rolls (2.5 oz) – $0.72 per bun
  • Great Value Hamburger Dill Chip Pickles (0.2 oz) – $0.03 per serving
  • Fresh Whole White Onion (0.3 oz) – $0.06 per serving
  • PL Great Value BBQ Sauce Original (0.4 oz) – $0.04 per serving

Total Cost: $1.72

This makes a homemade McRib $3.67 cheaper than buying it from McDonald’s.

Recipe Steps:

  1. Prepare the Pork: Get your pre-ground pork mince and add a small amount of water to create a stickier texture.

  2. Shape the Patties: Form the ground pork into patties that resemble ribs shapes, ensuring each patty is no more than 4 ounces to fit in the bun.
  3. Create the “Rib” Look: Use your fingers to make little indentations on the patties to imitate the ribs.
  4. Freeze the Patties: Place the patties on parchment paper and freeze until solid.

  5. Cook the Patties: There’s no need to defrost the patties. They will cook in about three to four minutes per side. Preheat a griddle or cast-iron skillet, and once hot, add the frozen patties rib-side up. Flip after a few minutes and cook the other side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

  6. Coat with BBQ Sauce: Remove the patties from the skillet, allow them to cool for a few minutes, and then coat both sides in BBQ sauce.

  7. Prepare the Toppings: Slice 0.3 oz of white onion and prepare two pickles from the jar (or more, if you prefer).

  8. Toast the Bun: Cut the deli roll in half and place it on the hot griddle until lightly browned, which takes about a minute.

  9. Assemble the Sandwich: Place the BBQ-coated patty on the bottom half of the bun, then top with the sliced pickles and onions.

  10. Enjoy!: Your homemade McRib is ready to go!

“The McRib has been a McDonald’s staple since its debut in 1981 and continues to grow in popularity,” said Panayotis Nikolaidis, CEO and founder of Coupons4Real.com. >]”However, as a limited-time menu item, it comes and goes, sometimes for long periods of time.

“Knowing how to recreate the McRib at home not only prevents the ‘burger blues’ when it leaves the menu, but it also saves you a significant amount of money. Making it at home is 68% cheaper than buying at McDonald’s.

“Creating your own version also allows you to add your personal twist to the recipe while still enjoying the nostalgia. This method is perfect for prepping McRibs in bulk, so you always have some stashed in the freezer for when the craving strikes.”

For more news of interest to the food and beverage industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.