Why Whole Foods Is Banking on Rotisserie Chicken | Eater

"After being acquired by Amazon, this grocer cut prices on its organic and hormone-free rotisserie chickens—bringing certified birds to roughly $7.99–$9.99 and non-organic birds to about $6.99—which helped boost overall attention and sales for the prepared-chicken program. Rotisserie birds are among the chain’s top sellers and have evolved from a plain salt-and-pepper offering into a rotating roster of monthly flavors developed by its R&D kitchens (examples planned include a Turkish-style spice blend, a Nordic “mushroom forager,” a miso-tamari version, and one with Ethiopian berbere). The cooked chickens are sold not only whole but as plated meals with vegetable sides, in bowls, and atop rice and noodles as part of an expanded grab-and-go meal-solutions strategy, and are frequently used as ingredients in other dishes; busy locations can run out by early evening. Stores forecast production using sales history, hourly reports, and experienced staff judgment to try to hit demand spikes and streamline spit-roasting, packaging, and turnover during dinner rushes." - Daniela Galarza