New Chicken Offering Delivers MEGA Taste, 16g of Protein Per Serving

CHICAGO, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As Americans look to add protein to their diets, the nation’s appetite for chicken is reaching new heights. Among the most popular ways to enjoy chicken are crispy tenders, a category that has grown to $1.8 billion in annual retail sales¹. To meet the nation’s insatiable appetite for this beloved food, Banquet®, a brand of Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) has debuted Banquet MEGA Crispy Chicken Tenders, available in Original and Spicy varieties. Perfect for a weeknight meal during the busy back-to-school season, Banquet MEGA Crispy Chicken Tenders provide 16g of protein per serving.  

“Chicken tenders provide so much of what Americans seek in a meal,” said Ayesha Narula, VP/GM, Conagra Brands. “Convenient protein, easy prep, and delicious taste are among the many reasons consumers enjoy chicken tenders. As we prepared for the arrival of our Banquet MEGA Crispy Chicken Tenders, we found some fascinating insights on their broad popularity.”

Chicken in America: A Closer Look
Since the 1940s, chicken has steadily risen to become America’s most widely available protein. In 1996, chicken moved past pork to become the second-most available protein then overtook beef in 2010². The average American’s total chicken consumption first surpassed 100 pounds in 2024 and is projected at 106.8 pounds per American in 2027³.

Driving the appetite for chicken are Gen Z consumers seeking protein. Half of Gen Z adults are looking to add more protein to their diets, up 14% versus year ago⁴. With 23% of Gen Z’s annual eating occasions marked as “Heat & Eat” meals⁵, chicken tenders are an ideal mealtime solution. Nationwide, 48% of all consumers say they are actively seeking more protein, a figure that is up 6.8 points versus a year ago⁶.

The following stats further illustrate the depth of America’s appetite for chicken and chicken tenders.

• $1.8 billion: Annual retail sales for frozen chicken tenders and strips¹
• 3%: Three-year compound annual dollar growth for frozen chicken tenders and strips⁷
• 62.3%: Share of U.S. households buying frozen prepared chicken at least once a year⁸
• 27%: Tenders’ menu penetration rate; more than a quarter of all U.S. restaurant menus⁹
• $56.5 billion: Consumer spending at chicken-focused quick-service restaurants over the 12-month period ending June 2026, up 5% over the previous year¹⁰
• 38%: Percentage of frozen chicken prepared at home in an oven, narrowly topping air fryers (37%) as the top prep method¹¹

Adding to chicken tenders’ universal appeal is their ability to be customized with dipping sauces. Recent research found that top menu pairings include ranch (21% of menu pairings), Buffalo (18%), honey mustard (17%) and BBQ (7%)¹²; while at home ketchup (51%) accounts for more than half of the condiment or sauce pairings with chicken tenders¹³.

Banquet MEGA Crispy Chicken Tenders are ready to prepare whenever you need them. Easy to prepare in an air fryer, a 22 oz. bag includes approximately 11 tenders. The Banquet MEGA Crispy Chicken Tenders are now available in Original and Spicy varieties for a suggested retail price of $7.49. For more information, visit www.banquet.com. 

About Conagra Brands
Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), is one of North America’s leading branded food companies. We combine a 100-year history of making quality food with agility and a relentless focus on collaboration and innovation. The company’s portfolio is continuously evolving to satisfy consumers’ ever-changing food preferences. Conagra’s brands include Birds Eye®, Duncan Hines®, Healthy Choice®, Marie Callender’s®, Reddi-wip®, Slim Jim®, Angie’s® BOOMCHICKAPOP®, and many more. As a corporate citizen, we aim to do what’s right for our business, our employees, our communities and the world. Headquartered in Chicago, Conagra Brands generated fiscal 2026 net sales of over $11 billion. For more information, visit www.conagrabrands.com.

1, 7, 8: Total MULO+ C L52 WE 7/26/2026; Circana Panel Total US – All Outlets L52 W/E 7/12/2026
2, 3: Per Capita Consumption of Poultry and Livestock, 1960 to Forecast 2027, in pounds – National Chicken Council
4: Circana NET Habits L1YE Ending September 2025 
5: Circana National Eating Trends 1 Year Ending June 2025 
6: Circana National Eating Trends HABTS L12 Months Ending March 2026 
9: Datassential, August 2026 
10: Circana CREST Data 12ME June 2026 
11,13: Circana National Eating Trends, Frozen Chicken Tenders, last two years ending January 2025 
12: Datassential, June 2026

For all media inquiries, please contact:
Dan Skinner
Conagra Brands
(312) 549-5636
Dan.Skinner@conagra.com

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SOURCE Conagra Brands, Inc.