America’s Best Fried Chicken Chain You Have Never Heard Of! with Dan Shapiro, CEO, Krispy Krunchy Food

In today's episode, we're diving into the unknown story of Krispy Krunchy Food, the hidden gem of America's fried chicken chains with Dan Shapiro, the CEO of Krispy Krunchy Food.

America's Best Fried Chicken Chain

The Wall Street Journal once quoted a famous chef as saying, "This is America's Fried Chicken."

Krispy Krunchy Food is a Cajun fried chicken franchise tucked away inside convenience stores, offering comfort food sides like mac 'n' cheese, red beans and rice, jambalaya, and honey biscuits.

They operate in over 2,800 locations and are expanding into Walmart, making them a notable presence in the fast-food industry.

The Resilient Founder Story

Krispy Krunchy Food faced adversity in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina nearly wiped them out.

In 2006, they decided to expand aggressively, diversifying their geographical footprint.

This resilience played a significant role in their success story.

A Taste Unlike Any Other

Customers' reactions to Krispy Krunchy Food are clear-cut: It's either the best chicken they've ever tasted or a delightful surprise for those who've never heard of it.

The year 2020 marked a banner year for food in grocery stores, with Krispy Krunchy Food at the forefront.

The Marketing Strategy

Krispy Krunchy Food focuses on branding, aiming to resemble a legitimate Quick Service Restaurant (QSR).

They strategically place their food at the front counter to boost impulse purchases, a tactic that has proven successful.

Front Counter Real Estate

In the grocery store world, the most valuable real estate is the front counter.

Not all products are worthy of this prime location; it's about choosing high-margin items strategically.

Tic Tacs and gum may not cut it; Krispy Krunchy Food knows better.

Expansion Plans

Krispy Krunchy Food is set to open 500 new stores while losing 150 in normal churn.

There are approximately 150,000 grocery stores in the U.S., with 90,000 being independent.

The key is to vet the stores for foot traffic and find the right operators who excel in food service.

Unexpected Consequences

One surprising outcome of offering multiple food options in gas stations was an increase in chicken sales.

It's a testament to the appeal and demand for Krispy Krunchy Food's offerings.

Future Expansion

Krispy Krunchy Food is not stopping at convenience stores; they're expanding into colleges, universities, and Walmart stores, aiming to make their delicious offerings even more accessible.

Season 3, Episode 52:

Krispy Krunchy:

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About me and my mission and the podcast:

Are you looking for a fun and light-hearted podcast to discover unique brands and learn about the people and strategies successful companies are implementing in the CPG and Food and Beverage Industry?  The brands featured here take us into the world of innovation, sustainability, good for you, lifestyle, QSR, Foodservice, Distribution, DTC, Club, and more.

I am a fun-loving business leader, podcaster, husband, dad, cyclist, and Convention of States volunteer in my spare time. My mission is to discover the people and ideas behind these different, better, and special companies. 

 

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