Chicken Tenders Are Back — and Bigger Than Ever

Chicken Tenders Are Back — and Bigger Than Ever

Chicken Tenders Are Back — and Bigger Than Ever

Why Safety Equipment Matters When Scaling This High-Demand Menu Item

Chicken tenders are no longer just a kids’ menu staple — they’re one of the fastest-growing comfort foods on restaurant menus in 2025–2026. From Nashville hot and Korean gochujang to gluten-free, air-fried, and hand-breaded premium cuts, chicken tenders are driving traffic across QSRs, fast casual concepts, bars, stadiums, and grocery prepared foods.

But as demand rises, so does kitchen risk.

Adding or expanding chicken tenders means more frying, more oil handling, higher temperatures, faster service, and tighter margins. That’s why maintaining clean, proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and fryer safety practices is essential — not just for compliance, but for food quality, employee safety, and brand reputation.

At Golden Protective Services, we work with operators nationwide to ensure kitchens can scale safely without slowing down.

The Chicken Tender Trend: High Volume, High Heat

Why chicken tenders are exploding:

  • Familiar comfort food with broad appeal

  • Easy to customize with sauces, coatings, and spice levels

  • Perfect for dine-in, takeout, delivery, and grocery hot bars

  • Strong margins when executed correctly

The challenge?
Chicken tenders live in the fryer. And fryers introduce some of the most dangerous conditions in a commercial kitchen:

  • Hot oil up to 450°F

  • Grease splatter and flare-ups

  • Frequent basket lifting and dumping

  • Oil filtering, transport, and disposal

Without proper PPE and fryer procedures, injuries, contamination, and downtime become real risks.

Oil Shield® Gloves: A Must-Have for Fryer Operations

When you’re running tenders all day, standard gloves are not enough.

Oil Shield® gloves by Golden Protective Services are specifically designed for high-heat, high-oil environments:

  • Tested for protection up to 450°F

  • Ideal for fryers, grills, rotisseries, and hot oil handling

  • Rough exterior finish for grip in wet or oily conditions

  • Durable neoprene construction

  • Hanging loop for proper storage and sanitation

Whether staff are pulling fryer baskets, filtering oil, or cleaning equipment, Oil Shield® gloves reduce burn risk and improve control — helping teams work faster and safer during peak volume.

Eye Protection: Overlooked, Until It’s Too Late

Hot oil splashes don’t just burn skin — they can cause serious eye injuries.

When scaling chicken tender programs, eye protection should be standard, especially during:

  • Fryer loading and unloading

  • Oil filtering and disposal

  • Equipment cleaning and degreasing

Clear safety glasses or goggles protect against oil splatter, steam, and chemical exposure while maintaining visibility and comfort on the line.

Protective Aprons: Keeping Staff Clean and Food Safe

Aprons are about more than appearance.

Proper protective aprons:

  • Shield employees from grease, oil, and heat

  • Prevent cross-contamination from soiled uniforms

  • Improve sanitation and professional presentation

When kitchens run tenders nonstop, disposable or reusable protective aprons help maintain food safety standards while reducing uniform damage and laundry costs.

Smallwares & Fryer Accessories Matter More Than Ever

As chicken tender volume increases, worn or improper smallwares can slow service and create hazards.

Key fryer-related smallwares to evaluate:

  • Fryer baskets with secure handles

  • Oil-rated scoops and utensils

  • Proper storage hooks for gloves and tools

  • Oil-safe containers for transport and disposal

Investing in the right smallwares improves consistency, speed, and safety during rush periods.

Fryer Oil Maintenance: The Hidden Quality Factor

Great chicken tenders start with clean, well-maintained oil.

Poor oil management leads to:

  • Off-flavors and dark breading

  • Inconsistent cooking results

  • Increased smoke and fire risk

  • Shortened oil life and higher costs

Using proper PPE during oil filtering and disposal — including Oil Shield® gloves, eye protection, and aprons — ensures staff can perform maintenance safely and consistently, protecting both employees and food quality.

Safety Drives Speed, Quality, and Confidence

When teams feel protected, they work better.

Proper PPE:

  • Reduces injuries and lost time

  • Improves confidence during high-heat tasks

  • Supports faster, more consistent execution

  • Protects your brand and your people

As chicken tenders continue to dominate menus, safety equipment isn’t optional — it’s operational infrastructure.

Golden Protective Services is proud to support kitchens with high-performance PPE, fryer safety solutions, and foodservice essentials designed for real-world conditions.

Golden Protective Services — Safety Solutions for the Food Service Industry™

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