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Let’s be real. National Fried Chicken Day is landing this Sunday, July 6th, and it’s not just another day on the calendar, it’s a gold rush. Right now, the QSR giants are spinning up their marketing machines and the grocery stores are planning their price drops. So, the only question that matters is: What’s your game plan?

Sitting on the sidelines is the same as handing your hard-earned cash and customers directly to the competition. But here’s the good news: you’re in the perfect position to not just compete, but to absolutely clean up. This is your chance to drive a stampede of new traffic, build monster baskets, and become the local legend for fried chicken.   

Ready to win? Here is your 5-step battle plan to make this Sunday your most profitable day of the summer.

1. Craft an Offer They Can’t Refuse

First things first: you need a customer magnet. The big chains like Popeyes and Burger King have mastered this—they don’t just slash prices, they create no-brainer deals that get people off the couch and into their stores. You can do the same, and it’s simpler than you think.   

• Think Meal, Not Just Meat: Forget a simple discount on a piece of chicken. Look at the success of C-store pros like Krispy Krunchy Chicken. Their “$5.99 Your Choice meal deal” is genius because it bundles a main item with a side, creating a complete, craveable meal that feels like a steal.   
• Your Winning Play: Let’s build your deal. Call it something irresistible, like the “Champion Combo.” Offer two pieces of your incredible fried chicken, a scoop of crispy potato wedges, and a warm biscuit, all for a killer price like $6.99. Instantly, you’ve shifted the customer’s mindset from a cheap snack to a full, satisfying, and profitable meal.
• The Loyalty Kicker: Got a rewards program? Make the deal even sweeter for your members—maybe they get the combo for just $5.99. No program? No problem. This is the perfect moment to start one with a low-tech, high-impact trick. Put up a sign that says, “Text ‘CHICKEN’ to 55555 for a FREE drink with your combo!” Just like that, you’re building a direct line to your customers for future promotions.   

2. Turn a Small Sale into a Super-Sized Win

That killer combo gets them in the door. But the real money? That’s made in the upsell. This is where you turn a good day into a great one, and it all comes down to empowering your team.   

• The Easiest Dollar You’ll Make: This is your bread and butter. Train every single cashier to ask one simple, friendly question after the customer orders the combo: “Awesome choice! Would you like to make that a large combo with a large fountain drink for just $1.50 more?” It’s a natural suggestion, not a pushy sales pitch, and it’s almost pure profit.   
• Win the Dinner Crowd: Don’t let families default to a QSR. Put together a “Family Feast” bucket deal, think 8 pieces of chicken, two big sides, and four biscuits. Price it aggressively to make it an easy choice for a family looking for a quick and delicious dinner.
• Unleash Your Secret Weapon: You have something Popeyes and KFC don’t: fuel pumps. Connect the forecourt to the food court with a “Fuel & Feast” deal. A sign at the pump that says, “Fill up with 8 gallons or more and get our famous Fried Chicken Sandwich for just $2.99” is an offer your competition simply can’t match.   

3. Know Your Enemy (and Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts)

To win the day, you have to know who you’re up against. Your competitors have weaknesses, and we’re going to exploit them.

• The QSR Fortress: Let’s face it, chains like Shake Shack and Church’s are marketing pros. They use their apps and loyalty programs to lock customers in. But that can also be a hassle for someone who just wants a great meal without downloading another app. Your edge is being faster, easier, and more convenient.   
• The Supermarket’s “Reliability Gap”: This is your golden opportunity. Grocery stores will try to lure people in with rock-bottom prices on chicken, like an 8-piece bucket for $5.99. But a quick look at their customer reviews tells the real story. Shoppers are furious, leaving comments like, “Never, ever has deli fried chicken” when they show up to an empty hot case, or complaining that the product “tasted horrible” and even caused “mild food poisoning”. This is their Achilles’ heel.   
• Your Winning Message: You are the hero of this story. Your marketing message should hammer one point home: you are the RELIABLE choice for a HOT, FRESH, and DELICIOUS fried chicken meal, ready when they are. No disappointment, guaranteed.

4. Shout It from the Rooftops (Without Breaking the Bank)

You don’t need a Super Bowl ad budget to create a massive buzz. You just need to be smart and act fast.   

• Dominate Your Four Walls: Your marketing blitz starts now. Get signs on your pumps, clings on your windows, and a notice right at the register. Build the hype with a simple message: “It’s Coming! National Fried Chicken Day is THIS SUNDAY!”.   
• The Digital Bullseye (This is Non-Negotiable): Go to your Google Business Profile right now and create a “Post” detailing your amazing offer. On Sunday, when hungry customers in your area search “fried chicken near me,” your store and your deal will pop up right in front of them. It’s the most powerful free marketing tool you have.   
• Unleash the Foodie Pics: Grab your phone and start snapping some drool-worthy photos and videos of your chicken. Post them on Facebook and Instagram. For the weekend, put a small amount of money, even just $20 or $30, behind a social media ad targeted to a tight 5-mile radius around your store. You’ll be hitting your neighbors right when they’re deciding what to eat. Don’t forget to use local hashtags like #JanesvilleEats to join the town’s conversation.   

5. Stick the Landing with Flawless Execution

All the amazing marketing in the world is useless if a customer walks in and you’ve dropped the ball. Winning at the counter and the hot case is how you turn a first-time visitor into a lifelong fan.

• Don’t Get Caught Empty-Handed: You need to be ready for a crowd. Plan on selling 3-4 times your normal volume of chicken. That means stocking up on everything: chicken, breading, oil, packaging, and all your side dish ingredients.   
• Make Freshness Your Weapon: Remember the supermarket’s weakness? You’re going to crush it by focusing on quality. Cook in smaller, more frequent batches during peak times. The sight and smell of fresh, hot chicken coming out of the fryer is better than any sign you could create. It screams quality and makes you the obvious choice.   
• Turn Your Team into Sales Superstars: Your cashiers are your secret weapon. Before Sunday, have a quick team huddle and get them excited. Explain that the goal is to make customers happy by building them a better meal. Run a fun, simple contest: maybe a $10 cash bonus for everyone on shift if you hit a sales goal, or a $25 gift card for the employee who sells the most combo upgrades. A little friendly competition can ignite your team and make the day a massive success.   

The Bottom line: Turning a One-Day Win into a Long-Term Habit

So, what happens on Monday, July 7th? The real work begins. This Sunday isn’t just about a one-day sales bump. It’s about grabbing a huge wave of new customers who were let down by the competition.

You now have their phone numbers from your SMS club and a positive experience in their minds. A week later, send them a text: “Thanks for celebrating with us! Here’s a free coffee on your next visit.” You’ve just started the conversation and given them a reason to come back.   

You’ve done the work, you’ve run the plays, and now you have a proven strategy. Save it. This is your playbook for National Pizza Day, National Coffee Day, and every food holiday to come. You haven’t just won a single day; you’ve built a repeatable machine for growing your business all year long. Now go get ’em.