Which US restaurant chains put hand-breaded on the menu, when each launch ran, and who got there first.
MenuLaunches has tracked 6 hand-breaded menu launches across 4 US restaurant chains between 2026 and 2026, peaking in 2026-09. The chains that use it most are Burger King, Slim Chickens, Hardee's, KFC.
When chains actually put this on the menu.
Ordered by announce date.
| # | Chain | Item | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KFC | Double Crispy Hot Wings | August 24, 2026 |
| 2 | Burger King | Chicken Nuggets | August 27, 2026 |
| 3 | Hardee's | Bacon Beast Chicken Sandwich | September 10, 2026 |
| 4 | Slim Chickens | Dr Pepper Blasted Tenders, Tender Bites and Wings | September 14, 2026 |
| 5 | Slim Chickens | Dr Pepper Blasted | September 17, 2026 |
| 6 | Burger King | Chicken Nuggets | September 19, 2026 |
Burger King reformulated its chicken nuggets in response to guest feedback. The new version is larger, with less-uniform shapes, uses chicken fat and broth for moisture, and a crumb-based breading with rice flour for crunch.
A dry seasoning made with Dr Pepper's 23 flavors, dusted by hand onto Slim Chickens' hand-breaded chicken tenders, tender bites, or wings after frying, at no additional charge.
Hand-breaded chicken tenders, tender bites and wings coated with a Dr Pepper dry seasoning rub applied by hand after frying, offered at no additional charge.
A hand-breaded, white-meat chicken breast filet with four slices of smoked bacon, tomato, lettuce, and mayo, served on a buttered brioche-style bun.
Reworked chicken nuggets made with white-meat chicken filling and an improved batter, replacing the chain's previous nugget recipe.
Marinated wing segments, hand-breaded with Extra Crispy breading before frying.