The falll classic product is made with creamy vanilla frozen custard blended with a whole slice of rich pumpkin pie, crust included, then topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon.

“Our Pumpkin Pie Concrete has become a highly anticipated seasonal favorite with a loyal following, and we’ve heard from an overwhelming number of guests just how much they’ve missed it,” said Rick Petralia, the company’s executive chef and vice president of training and innovation. “While it wasn’t originally part of our fall lineup this year, the enthusiasm and outpouring of requests made it clear that we needed to bring it back. With extremely limited quantities available, we encourage customers to act fast and stop by their local Freddy’s soon before it’s gone for the season!”

The Freddy’s fast casual restaurant franchise is present in over 600 locations across the United States and Canada. It offers a combination of cooked-to-order steakburgers, all-beef hot dogs, shoestring fries and other savory items along with churned frozen custard treats.

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There is plenty to like from a kitchen point of view, too. Every product is supplied frozen and can be cooked straight from the freezer in a deep-fat fryer, oven or combi oven. Consistent piece weights make portioning and food costs easier to manage, while frozen storage means stock can be kept on hand and quickly prepared when customers have placed orders. Less unnecessary preparation also means less food waste.

“Many operators are looking for ways to increase sales without adding to the workload in the kitchen. “Our finger food offers just the right combination: great taste, plenty of choice and quality – all with the benefit of straightforward preparation.” said Emiel Lommen, global commercial director of the Rietberg, Germany-headquartered Frostkrone Food Group.

Reliable supply is just as important. Short lead times, flexible order quantities and dependable deliveries help businesses plan with confidence. And with dedicated contacts offering personal support and advice backed by extensive foodservice expertise, customers have someone who understands the demands of their business.

Cheesy Loops (pictured above) are also popular menu pleasers. Featuring a distinctive ring shape and light potato-and-cheese texture, the 14g little bites are crisp, moreish and ready to serve in around two minutes using standard cooking appliances. Three flavors are available: Cheddar & Potato, Cheddar & Onion and Cheddar & Jalapeño.

Among highlights at the Frostkrone stand will be Mozzarella Sticks (28g each). These bestsellers are a favorite for good reason. Their golden, crunchy coating gives way to a soft, melting mozzarella center. Easy to prepare and ready to serve in just a few minutes, they are hard to resist.

Then there are Frostkrone’s Cream Cheese Jalapeños (34g). Ideal for a quick, spicy bite on the go, the heat of the jalapeños joins the mild, smooth taste of cream cheese to offer a nicely balanced combination with just enough kick.

For even more variety, there’s the option of Nacho Cheese Triangles (20g), boasting a crunchy coating of crisp tortilla chips and cornflakes that give way to a smooth, creamy cheese filling, finished with just the right hint of heat. The mildly spicy triangles are ready to eat in only a few minutes.

For margherita fans, 25-gram Pizza Margherita Bites bring all the familiar tasty ingredients together in a bite-sized snack. Mozzarella, tomato sauce and basil combine in a mini format that packs plenty of flavor into every mouthful.

Frostkrone’s diverse product range is available in many countries and regions including the Netherlands, France, Spain, Portugal, Great Britain, Switzerland, the Scandinavia region, Eastern Europe, Asia, the United States. The company, founded in 1997, operates modern production facilities in Germany, France, Great Britain and the USA.

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“Numerator figures show that frozen poultry generated around £1.17 billion in retail sales in the year to September 2026. This is up 1.3% year-on-year, underlining the category’s resilience and the enduring popularity of chicken with UK consumers,” said Rupert Ashby, chief executive of the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF).

He added: “Consumers want accessible, protein-rich foods that are easy to prepare and fit around busy lifestyles. Frozen poultry is particularly well placed to meet these needs, offering flexibility, portion control and a reliable product that can be used across a wide range of meals.”

Subsequently, poultry producers are developing and offering products that align with these health-focused preferences, strengthening poultry’s position as the leading protein source in the United Kingdom.

Innovations in the frozen poultry segment include new coatings, marinades, flavor combinations and formats, often drawing inspiration from international cuisines and street food The latest value-added products center on naturally flavored, charcoal-grilled, uncoated ranges and expansions into ready-to-eat products.

“There is also a focus on products that are quick and easy to prepare, work across different cooking methods and deliver consistent quality,” said Ashby. “The relatively recent advent of air fryers, for example, presents opportunities for products designed to deliver great results with minimal preparation.”

Global flavors continue to have significant influence over consumers, with Korean, Japanese, Mexican and American-inspired products bringing innovation to the category. From spicy coatings and marinades to interesting flavor combinations – manufacturers are focusing on a fresh outlook on familiar chicken presentations.

“Street food is the biggest influence on chicken right now,” said Lewis Wantling, head of marketing at Wrexham, Wales-headquartered Meadow Vale Foods. “Younger diners in particular are huge fans of chicken, and social media plays a major role in what they want to eat when they go out or order in. Dishes they discover on Instagram and TikTok, from Korean-style fried chicken to loaded wings, Nashville hot and peri-peri, quickly turn into demand on menus across the high street.

“Operators are using it to refresh menus, run limited-time specials and compete with specialist chicken outlets. We’re also seeing strong demand for snackable and sharing formats, and for products that travel well for delivery.”

Best Sellers
Unsurprisingly, chicken remains the dominant product in the frozen poultry category, with fillets, nuggets, goujons and coated products all remaining popular among consumers.

According to Wantling, Meadow Vale’s Battered Mini Fillets are a consistent best-seller, popular with chip shops, cafés and pub kitchens as a reliable option for kids’ menus, sharing platters and add-ons.

“Our classic 120g fillet burger is a go-to for high street chains and takeaways, offering a generous, consistent portion that performs every time and keeps food costs predictable,” he said.

The company’s double-award-winning Boneless Wings have also proved popular, giving diners the full wing experience without the mess and providing operators a high-margin, on-trend menu item.

“Chicken presents a real opportunity for foodservice operators,” said Nev Irani, foodservice managing director for the Wellingboro, England-headquartered Booker wholesale distribution group. “We’ve gone back to the kitchen on our coated chicken to give operators a product their customers will notice, with a crunch that lasts, flavors that deliver and a 30-minute hot hold that keeps it at its best from fryer to front door. Pair that with new sauces, buns and cheeses, and operators have everything they need to build a standout chicken menu.”

Lean protein has become a central priority for consumers as healthy eating becomes increasingly important. In fact, AHDB reports estimate 57% of UK shoppers actively try to follow a higher-protein diet to some degree, with interest particularly dominant among the Gen Z and Millennial demographics.

Retail and foodservice outlets have taken this trend on board, offering a range of poultry-based protein options for consumers. As convenience remains a key driver of purchases, there are now many value-added poultry products in grocery store frozen food aisles.

For example, Birds Eye’s lightly fried, seared and glazed frozen Chargrilled Original Chicken offers consumers an affordable and convenient serving of protein that’s quick and simple to prepare. Similarly, Iceland’s ready cooked Chargrilled Shawarma Chicken Fillets meet consumer demand, with the product’s high protein and low-fat content clearly highlighted on the front of the box.

“Chargrilled chicken skewers are performing strongly, offering a versatile, protein-rich option that works across wraps, salads, platters and grill menus,” noted Wantling.

Ethical approach
Although price remains a significant factor for purchases, animal welfare is increasingly important to consumers who demand greater transparency surrounding how animals are reared and the standards followed by producers.

“For us welfare and quality are inseparable,” said Wantling. “A bird that’s been well cared for produces better meat, and that comes through in every product we supply. For our customers, it means chicken that looks, cooks and tastes consistently excellent, plate after plate.

“That quality starts on the farm. Our chicken comes exclusively from independently audited partners who are fully integrated. Quality is controlled at every stage, from farm through to processing and freezing, in export-grade facilities. That gives operators succulent, tender chicken with a clean appearance, consistent sizing and dependable cooking performance, whether it’s going into the fryer, oven or grill. Every portion behaves the same way, which means reliable cook times, less waste and food that meets expectations every time it reaches the table.”

As consumer demand continues to be shaped by health concerns, convenience and bold global flavors, frozen poultry is proving its ability to evolve with the market. From high-protein meal solutions and street food-inspired innovations to welfare-led production and dependable menu performance, poultry continues to tick all the right boxes for both operators and consumers. With its broad appeal, versatility and value credentials showing no signs of fading, frozen poultry looks set to remain at the heart of the UK’s foodservice and retail sectors for a long time to come.

– Reported by Sarah Welsh

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The new sandwich puts an unmistakably Chili’s spin on Chicken Parm by bringing together two favorites: Chili’s Big Crispy chicken sandwich and Fried Mozzarella layered with marinara sauce. It’s served with fries, white cheddar mac & cheese, and sides of marinara sauce and house-made ranch dressing.

“We’ve loved seeing how guests responded to the Big Crispy, and it got us thinking about how we could build on that with flavors we know they already love,” said George Felix, chief marketing officer and executive vice president of Brinker International, Chili’s parent company. “A Big Crispy topped with our Fried Mozz and marinara is craveable, over the top in all the right ways and unmistakably Chili’s. You won’t find a Chicken Parm with a better cheese pull than this.”

Chicken Parm isn’t actually Italian, and neither is Chili’s. But Florence, Rome and Venice sound pretty Italian. So on October 13, Chili’s restaurants in Florence, Kentucky; Rome, Georgia; and Venice, Florida began offering customers an exclusive first taste of the new Chicken Parm Big Crispy before rolling out the menu offering at other outlets across the USA on October 20.

In a full commitment to the unveiling, Chili’s enlisted reality TV icon Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi (pictured above), who, like the sandwich, is not actually Italian, for a tourism video filmed in the Bluegrass State’s Florence. “Because,” stated a press release, “when you have a not-actually-Italian sandwich in a not-actually-Italian Florence, there’s only one person to call.”

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The new Bristol event offers food businesses the chance to explore products from Brakes’ extensive range, Sysco branded lines and more than 100 supplier partners. Delegates will also be able to meet experts from Brakes Catering Equipment and connect with sister companies M&J Seafood, Fresh Direct,Country Choice and Campbell’s Prime Meats.

The Ashton Gate expo will mirror the successful format of the national program, which spanned Stoneleigh Park, Farnborough, Paisley and Twickenham allowing food businesses to sample products, with Brakes’ chefs also demonstrating a range of products that help to reduce labour or waste, save on cooking time and produce a good margin.

Mark Irish, head of food development at Brakes, said: “Food is at the heart of what we do and being able to taste and experience dishes is the best way to see how it can play a part on the menu. The response to this year’s expos has been phenomenal, and adding Bristol means even more customers can access the insight, inspiration and innovation they’ve told us they value.”

The Bristol event will feature more than 100 stands, including SMEs and Brakes’ own Sysco ranges, creating a one‑stop shop for operators looking to refresh menus, explore new products and understand emerging trends.

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After extensive recipe development and customer taste testing, Burger King is introducing new nuggets made with 100% white meat chicken, crispier golden breading, a more flavorful marinade for a juicier bite, and upgraded packaging, now served in a box, designed to serve up a better experience.

“We take guest feedback seriously, and when we received thousands of texts, calls, and comments telling us our nuggets needed a total overhaul, we listened,” said Amy Alarcon, head chef at Burger King US & Canada. “Our team evaluated every element of the experience, from the chicken and breading to the sauces that bring it all together. 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.”

To complement the new nuggets, Burger King took a close look at its dipping sauce lineup, refining fan favorites and introducing a new limited-time Special Savory Sauce. Together, the updated lineup is designed to deliver a better pairing.

The featured sauces are as follows:

• Special Savory Sauce – A limited-time dipping sauce combining creamy, tangy and lightly spicy flavors with hints of BBQ seasoning, ketchup, garlic, onion and black pepper.

• Honey Mustard – A richer, creamier take on the BK classic, made with mustard and honey for an ideal balance of sweet and tangy flavor.

• Buffalo – A classic cayenne pepper sauce with buttery richness, savory garlic notes and just the right amount of heat.

• Sweet & Sour – A brighter, more balanced take on the classic, blending sweet pineapple flavor with tangy notes and a savory finish.

Founded in 1954, the Burger King system operates at more than 19,000 locations in over 120 countries and US territories. Nearly all restaurants flying the BK banner are owned and operated by independent franchisees, many of them family-owned operations that have been in business for decades.

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Available at more than 400 locations in North America, AMC Feature Fare continues to evolve beyond traditional movie theatre concessions with a growing lineup of hot foods, savory snacks, sweet treats and limited-time offerings inspired by popular food trends and guest demand. Among the new offerings are:

• Street Corn Poppers – Hot, poppable street corn bites packed with flavor to savor

• Popcorn Chicken – Crispy, bite-sized chicken made for sharing or snacking during the movie

• Hot Honey Sausage Pizza – A sweet and spicy combination featuring sausage and hot honey flavors

• Dill Pickle Pretzel Bites – Soft pretzel bites with a bold dill pickle seasoning twist.

• Dill Pickle Bavarian Legend – A 1.5 pound, shareable pretzel with a bold dill pickle seasoning twist.

AMC is also continuing to expand its Premium Snacks lineup with new additions including the Snickers Peanut Butter Ice Cream Bar.

“The AMC Feature Fare menu is always evolving as we explore fun new opportunities and listen to our guests about what they most enjoy while watching a movie on the big screen,” said Hank Green, AMC Theatres’ senior vice president, for food and beverage. “With new additions like Street Corn Poppers, Hot Honey Sausage Pizza, and Dill Pickle Pretzel Bites, we’re continuing to build a menu that gives our guests more variety, more flavor and more reasons to treat themselves when they come to the movies.”

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“We’re always looking for new ways to bring craveable flavors to our guests, and Frank’s RedHot does just that,” said Meredith Smith, director of brand marketing at the Louisville, Kentucky-headquartered company. “This lineup delivers that signature heat people love, paired with the seafood and chicken favorites we’re known for.”

Here’s what’s on offer:

• Buffalo Shrimp – available in a shareable size or as an individual add-on, each order features shrimp tossed in Frank’s RedHot Buffalo sauce. Customers may can choose from battered, grilled or popcorn shrimp.

• Buffalo Chicken – three pieces of all-white meat chicken tossed in buffalo sauce, served with a choice of side and hushpuppies.

• Buffalo Cheese Bites – white cheddar cheese bites fried to an appetizing golden hue.

• Side of Buffalo Sauce – Buffalo dipping sauce available as a substitute for any existing dip

Meanwhile, customers are invited to dig into the latest addition of Long John Silver’s rotating $6 Basket lineup, The meal deal is served with a side and two hush puppies. This is the latest in the brand’s rotating $6 Basket lineup, offered to deliver consistent value with a variety of protein options throughout the year.

“We’ve made a promise to keep our $6 Baskets at that price all year, and we’re sticking to it,” said Smith.

And for dessert, the seasonal Reese’s Peanut Butter Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory Bakery on Long John Silver’s menu combines rich cheesecake with Reese’s peanut butter for a sweet ending to any meal.

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For nearly a century, Swaggerty’s Farm has produced premium sausage products in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Founded in 1930 by Lonas Swaggerty to support the family farm, the company has grown into a national brand while remaining rooted in its East Tennessee heritage. Its extensive portfolio of frozen and refrigerated products – which ranges from Pork Sausage Patties and Dinner Links to Chicken Biscuit Minis, Sausage Egg & Cheese Croissants, Jalapeño Cheddar Kolache and more – are available in over 18,000 retail and wholesale outlets as well foodservice establishments throughout the USA.

“Our growth is fueled by a simple philosophy: never forget where you started,” said Doug Swaggerty, president and chief executive officer. “This expansion allows us to scale our operations while protecting the integrity of our process. We’re investing in our future so we can continue delivering the high standards our customers and community deserve.”

The new facility features modern, energy-efficient systems and innovative building materials. Local general contract partner, Southern Constructors Inc., worked closely with Swaggerty’s Farm to design and complete the project.

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Made with real milk and a bright blend of sweet, tangy orange and rich vanilla cream flavors inspired by the original ice cream bar, the Orange Creamsicle Milkshake strikes a sweet balance between refreshing and indulgent in a frozen sippable format. The fruity flavors in each sip offer a familiar flashback to warm weather memories, while f’real’s patented BIY blending conveniently creates frozen beverages at the touch of a button in about a minute.

All f’real milkshakes are blended in-store at the touch of a button. Just grab a cup from the freezer, peel off the lid, and place it in the blender to create a customizable frozen treat in under a minute. With three thickness options, consumers can select their ideal blend for road trips, study breaks and everyday enjoyment.

“Today’s consumers are looking for more than great taste. They’re seeking nostalgic experiences that spark emotion,” said Megan Grinstead, vice president of customer and consumer brand marketing at Buffalo, New York-headquartered Rich Products Corporation. “By introducing the iconic Orange Creamsicle in f’real’s blend-it-yourself format, we’re bringing together a beloved classic, customization and on-the-go convenience. It’s a crave-worthy moment we’re excited to deliver.”

Orange Creamsicle Milkshake are now available at retail locations across the USA, from convenience stores to college campuses and movie theaters, including Kwik Trip, Sheetz, Circle K, Yesway, RaceTrac, Weigel’s, Royal Farms and more. The suggested price for each 12-ounce serving is $3.99.

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