Dillons reverses a chicken change its customers vocally vetoed. But for how long?
In the fall of 2023, Dillons parent company Kroger changed the way it made the fried chicken sold in its in-store delis. Determined to give its customers crispier, crunchier chicken, it changed the recipe so that each piece was double-breaded by hand, and it added a new 10-spice mixture to the breading.
But some customers from Wichita were not impressed and on social media used words like “greasy” and “flavorless” to describe the new chicken. The Dillons home office also heard from many vocal customers, said Sheila Regehr, corporate affairs manager.
“...We heard a consistent message: The double-breaded version wasn’t quite what they were looking for,” Regehr said.
This week, though, those dispirited chicken fans were met with a surprise change, one that several Wichitans have written this week to make sure I’m aware of.
Dillon’s has brought the old chicken recipe back for a limited time.
This past Sunday — just in time for the Fourth of July (and for National Fried Chicken Day on July 6) — the grocery stores in Wichita switched back to the “classic” fried chicken recipe, which Regehr said also called for double-breading but uses a different breading mixture and different spices. Dillons stores in Hutchinson and Hays reintroduced the old recipe several months ago.
“...It’s all thanks to feedback from our customers, especially in Wichita, where fried chicken is more than just a meal, it’s definitely a local favorite,” she said.
Regehr said she could not say how long “a limited time” would last, but the store has signs posted in the delis encouraging customers to scan a QR code and share their thoughts on the return of the old recipe.
“We’re really looking for feedback from our customers to help guide the decision,” Regehr said. “We know Wichita loves chicken.”
Those who want to try out the classic recipe can take advantage of a fried chicken sale happening in Wichita stores. Through Tuesday, July 8, they’ll be able to get eight pieces of deli fried chicken for $5.99.
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