Burger King Launches New Chicken Nuggets in US Starting September

Burger King will introduce new chicken nuggets made with 100% white meat and crispier breading starting September 1 in the US as part of a multiyear plan to improve its menu and sales, according to Burger King.

The fast-food chain reported an 8.5% increase in US same-store sales last quarter, surpassing McDonald's growth and becoming the second-largest US burger chain after overtaking Wendy's, which faced a 7% sales decline.

The new nuggets feature an enhanced marinade and are paired with revamped dipping sauces including sweet and sour, honey mustard, buffalo, and a limited-time savory sauce blending creamy, tangy, and spicy flavors.

Amy Alarcon, Burger King's head chef for US and Canada, said, "Our culinary team evaluated every element of the experience, from the chicken and breading to the sauces that bring it all together." She added, "Throughout the process, we invited real Guests – including some of our toughest critics, kids – to test and refine the recipe, helping us create a nugget we believe delivers the quality, taste and experience that they have been asking for."

The company responded to thousands of customer complaints describing the former nuggets as "rubbery," "dry," and "disappointing."

R.J. Hottovy, head of analytical research at Placer.ai, noted that entering the chicken nugget category later than competitors is not a disadvantage because menu creativity with new flavors and sauces is key. He said, "Releasing new nuggets should help Burger King sustain its positive sales momentum and solidify its value deals since chicken is cheaper to sell compared to beef."

Robert Byrne, senior director of consumer research at Technomic, emphasized the sales potential of nuggets, stating, "Adding better nuggets makes perfect sense to boost sales." He noted nuggets are popular with children and often increase order size, with about 30% of guests at competitors like McDonald's and Chick-fil-A adding nuggets to their orders, compared to half that at Burger King.

Burger King recently revamped the Whopper sandwich with customer-driven improvements including a better bun and sauce, signaling the chain's broader focus on quality and service under President Tom Curtis.

The new chicken nuggets will be available in four sizes, from 4-piece to 20-piece, with prices ranging approximately from $1.99 to $7.49. The nuggets will be served in a box rather than a bag to enhance customer experience.