Chicken wings have become an incredibly popular appetizer and sports bar snack in recent years. However, as demand for wings has increased, so have prices. Here are some of the main reasons why chicken wings have gotten more expensive over time:
High Demand, Low Supply
One of the basic economic principles is that when demand is high and supply is limited, prices tend to rise. The demand for chicken wings has skyrocketed thanks to the growing popularity of sports bars and the cult-like following of wings. But the supply of wings hasn’t kept pace for a couple reasons:
- Chickens only have two wings, so supply is limited.
- Producing chicken wings is less efficient than breast meat or other chicken parts. The yield of meat from wings is much lower.
With supply lagging behind demand, prices have been pushed up.
Increased Costs for Restaurants
Restaurants have had to pay more for chicken wings from suppliers, cutting into their profit margins on one of their top selling items. Some of the reasons chicken wings have gotten more expensive for restaurants:
- Feed costs – The price of corn and soybean meal used for chicken feed has increased over the years.
- Fuel costs – Higher gas prices increase transportation costs for suppliers.
- Labor costs – From farm workers to restaurant cooks, labor costs have risen.
Restaurants often have to pass along these higher input costs by raising the price of chicken wings for consumers.
More Demand from Export Markets
The demand for chicken wings is rising globally. Exports of US chicken wings have more than doubled over the last decade. Top export markets include:
| Country | US Wings Exports (2020) |
|---|---|
| Canada | $281 million |
| China | $46 million |
| South Korea | $43 million |
Shipping wings overseas leaves less supply available for domestic restaurants and grocery stores, putting further upward pressure on prices.
People Are Willing to Pay More
From a business perspective, restaurants and bars have steadily raised wing prices over the years because people continue to buy them. Customers have shown a willingness to pay higher and higher prices for chicken wings:
- They have become a staple menu item and important traffic driver.
- Limited supply has made wings feel like a more valuable commodity.
- Customers view wings as more of a “treat” and are less price sensitive.
As long as demand stays strong, the ceiling for wing prices remains high.
Tips for Saving on Wings
Wing prices are certainly not going down anytime soon. Here are a few tips for wing lovers looking to save a few bucks:
- Order wings during happy hour or other bar specials when prices are discounted.
- Opt for boneless wings, which tend to be less expensive in restaurants.
- Buy wings at the grocery store to cook at home. Raw wings tend to cost about half as much as restaurant wings per pound.
- Try making wings yourself from scratch. Homemade often costs 40-60% less than takeout or at a restaurant.
Conclusion
Increasing consumer demand coupled with limited supply has led to the steadily rising price of chicken wings over the past decade. With costs high for restaurants and export markets calling, wings have become a hot commodity. For wing lovers, watching for specials and buying raw wings to cook at home are some of the best ways to avoid the high prices. But with demand still growing, the expensive wing trend is likely here to stay.