Chester’s Chicken is debuting Chester’s 2.0—"a new Crispy Station merchandiser, alongside a two-basket fryer and refreshed packaging,” the company said in a press release sent to NACS.

Developed in partnership with Marshall Air, Chester’s said the Crispy Station merchandiser “holds chicken hot, crispy and fresh for up to three times longer than most c-store merchandisers.” Leveraging proprietary ThermoGlo technology, Chester’s said the Crispy Station extends tender hold times, resulting in less waste, creates more sales opportunities and delivers consistent food.

“But Chester’s 2.0 is more than a merchandiser. The upgraded platform also includes a two-basket frying system, allowing operators to fry two products at once which means that operators can fill the hot case in half the time. In addition, Chester’s is introducing a revamped packaging suite featuring heat-resistant cups and lids, allowing for pre-packaged sides. These enhancements improve efficiency, speed of service and product quality across the board,” Chester’s said.

The brand said the launch of Chester’s 2.0 underscores its commitment to implementing operator feedback and evolving with their needs.

“Chester’s 2.0 is innovation designed with the operator in mind,” said Alexis Lobodocky, general manager and COO of Chester’s Chicken. “By extending hold times, streamlining prep and introducing smarter packaging, we are helping operators deliver the same hot, crispy chicken customers love while saving time and reducing stress in the back of house.”

In other recent Chester’s news, last month the company introduced bone-in wings. The wings are “lightly breaded” and available unsauced or sauced in a variety of flavors, including Buffalo and the company’s Stingin’ Honey Garlic. Customers can order wings in quantities of six, 10 or 20.