Rotisserie chickens continue to be an instore deli workhorse, not only selling well but bringing in shoppers who might not otherwise enter the department. And crucial to a successful program is getting the packaging right.

Anchor Packaging makes high- and low-dome containers for rotisserie chickens sold in grocery prepared foods sections, with 2-pound and 4-pound options available, said Kurt Richars, direct of market development.

Source: Anchor Packaging

Anchor’s rotisserie chicken packaging is ridged, keeping the chicken off the bottom of the container, and so guaranteeing its freshness, Richars said.

“The thing that’s most important is the food,” he said.

Anchor’s packs are designed to be served right off the table – no need to put the rotisserie chicken on a separate plate. 100% percent polypropylene means they “look good for as long as possible,” Richars added.

The rotisserie chicken and other prepared food containers Anchor makes can be kept for hours in grocery hot cases, and as the packages heat, they clarify, making to easier for shoppers to see the product inside.

Evolutions of Anchor’s rotisserie chicken containers include more open panels and fewer ribs, another innovation that aids visibility.

“Deli managers say they’re easy to merchandise,” he said. “Staff don’t have to put them in a bag.”

And now, many of Anchor’s containers are more recyclable and contain more recoverable plastic. The company is currently working on a recyclable version in black, a color that provides a “pop” on shelf, he said.

Demand for rotisserie chicken at retail, meanwhile, remains steady as she goes, Richars said.

“It’s a staple. It’s like bread or milk. It draws people into the store. It’s not just to be eaten whole. People make fajitas out of them, chicken salad, you name it. It’s one of those engines that keep people coming back.”

In many ways, he added, rotisserie chicken is the definition of grab-and-go done right: a convenient alternative to home preparation, consistently delicious, and ideal for many meals – ranging from the main dish served direct from the package to a delicious ingredient.

“Roasters also provide an instructive example of how packaging choice supports an item’s success.”

This article is an excerpt from the August 2024 issue of Supermarket Perimeter. You can read the entire Rotisserie Chicken Packaging  feature and more in the digital edition here.