Distributor McLane Co. is unveiling HiBird, its new premium chicken program designed for convenience stores. The announcement was made at McLane Engage, the company's annual trade show, which ran July 22-24 in New Orleans.

HiBird, part of the McLane Fresh family of brands, brings a lineup of fresh food offerings tailored for convenience stores including chicken sandwiches and chicken strips. The program takes flight with HiBird’s new signature sauce, a take on comeback sauce that's creamy, tangy, savory and mildly spicy.

HiBird provides comprehensive support—from implementation and training to merchandising and equipment—enabling C-stores to serve premium-quality chicken and sides. Designed for operational efficiency and ease of execution, the program meets rising consumer demand for high-quality foodservice in convenience retail while requiring only basic training for effective execution. With a long shelf life and the flexibility to be prepared in either a fryer or rapid cook oven, HiBird products offer versatile solutions that adapt to various store formats.

“We’re proud to introduce our latest innovative program, HiBird, designed to help retailers meet growing consumer desire for chicken and demand for high-quality foodservice items,” said Vito Maurici, chief customer experience officer for McLane.

This year's McLane Engage event featured nearly 200 exhibitors, including title sponsors Hershey and Altria, showcasing a diverse range of brands representing new innovations for convenience stores. Emerging Brands, McLane’s new product-discovering marketplace launched in 2024, featured 12 exhibitors from its roster of over 330 brands and 3,900 products.

McLane also featured new, data-driven technology solutions for suppliers and retailers, giving them instant access to data and insights to make faster and more meaningful business decisions.

“This year’s McLane Engage highlights how we partner with operators of all sizes to shape the future of retail,” said Chris Smith, president of McLane Retail. “Whether it’s innovative products or smarter, more cost-efficient solutions, everything we showcase reflects our commitment to meeting our customers where they are and helping them grow. We’re proud to be a strategic partner focused on innovation and driving real results in a rapidly evolving industry.”

Source: McLane Co. Inc.