Chicken prices also plummeted during the pandemic. The price per pound for a whole chicken averaged $ 2.80 in April 2020, the lowest price since at least 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. After prices hovered around $ 3.30 for the remainder of 2020, prices started rising again earlier this year.
The daily rate rose from $ 3.99 a pound in January to $ 5.22 in May, an 87% increase since April 2020.
Some restaurants encourage customers to consider alternative options. On Monday, Wingstop launched Thighstop, a virtual brand where customers can order a thigh meal online for pickup at over 1,400 locations or for delivery via DoorDash.
Jody Spencer, a Mississippi construction worker, usually enjoys wings twice a week. He said that despite all the discussions about companies proposing wing alternatives, he was not getting on board.
“If you want wings, you want wings,” said Spencer. “I walked through the drive this morning and was told, ‘We don’t have wings, but you can have a thigh or a chest.’ I didn’t get anything. “
Spencer, 51, also said replacing the thighs with wings would be impractical, using the example of ordering a 10-piece.
“Order 10 thighs? I don’t think this will work, ”said Spencer. “Maybe if they cut it in half or quarter it.”
For many people, the lack of wings has a negative impact on their social life. Ken Childs, who is retired, loves to cook and hold large gatherings. Childs, 51, said he prefers to go to the grocery store to pick high quality, non-GMO wings, as opposed to fried wings at fast food outlets or even sit-down restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings. He noted that he also prefers to grill his wings, which can be a healthier alternative.
Childs said wings are his favorite food to serve his guests because it is the easiest way to please most people.
“The shortage kills everything because people don’t normally eat pork,” says Childs. “Some people like legs, but they aren’t too big for them. They say breasts dry too quickly. There is really no way to replace wings. “
When asked if wings were also the tastiest part of the chicken, he giggled a little and replied with an imperturbable “Definitely”.
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