Culver’s to release three new chicken sandwich recipes; here’s why
Food & drink reporter Jelissa Burns sits down with Culver’s CEO Julie Fussner and Head of Culinary Kasey McDonald to talk new chicken sandwich recipes
On June 16, Culver’s will debut its new chicken sandwich lineup, revealing three recipes that underwent years of perfecting.
The Wisconsin-based burger chain will permanently feature new crispy chicken, spicy crispy chicken and grilled chicken sandwiches, replacing its current three sandwich recipes.
The new recipes were developed through a multi-year process, led by guests’ feedback and research. The sandwiches went through multiple taste tests until the best recipe was determined.
“We just looked at the landscape of all of the different chicken sandwiches that are out there, and we just thought our quality could be better,” said Kasey McDonald, head of culinary. “We never have knee-jerk reactions, we want to make sure that everything that we’re doing makes sense and our guests are going to love it.”
Post-Crescent reporter Jelissa Burns tries Culver’s new chicken sandwiches
Jelissa Burns, the Appleton Post-Crescent food & drink reporter, sits down to sample and react to Culver’s new chicken sandwich recipes.
Each sandwich will feature an improved chicken filet and crunchier pickle slices, along with mayo, lettuce and tomato and a brand-new, toasted brioche bun — the only sandwich on Culver’s menu served on that type of bun.
“We changed the breading and marinade on all three of our products,” McDonald said. “Our crispy chicken sandwich will have a nice neutral marinade and has double breading on it. Our grilled filet has more marinade in the product itself so it really drives home that nice natural chicken-breast flavor. Our spicy sandwich is infused with three different types of peppers and it has spice in the marinade, and it also has the double breading.”
On June 16, to celebrate the new menu items, Culver’s is giving away free chicken sandwiches to the first 100 guests at all of its locations nationwide. The giveaway applies for dine-in, to-go and drive-through orders, and each eligible guest will be able to choose their preferred sandwich.
“At Culver’s one thing we never do is reduce quality, but we’re always looking at where we can add quality,” said Culver’s CEO Julie Fussner. “We thought the chicken sandwich line, despite how well it was already doing, had opportunity to do even better, so we wanted to make sure we added that quality for guests.”
Culver’s has over 1,000 locations across 26 states. There are 151 in Wisconsin, with three new restaurants on the way in Eau Claire, Combined Locks and Evansville. The burger chain is best known for its ButterBurger and frozen custard. For more information and to find your nearest Culver’s, visit culvers.com.
Reach Jelissa Burns at 920-453-5107 or jburns1@gannett.com. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @burns_jelissa or on Instagram at burns_jelissa.
