Sophie Bennett
The Chicken Supreme was the first chicken sandwich served at Jack in the Box. It was introduced in May 1980 as part of the chain's efforts to reinvent itself as a more mature destination with higher-quality, healthier food. It was ranked highly by food critics and was even said to have saved Jack in the Box from financial ruin in the early '80s. However, it appears that the Chicken Supreme has been removed from the menu, as it is no longer listed on the chicken category of the Jack in the Box app. This has caused disappointment among fans, with some even starting petitions to bring it back.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Chicken Supreme |
| Type | Sandwich |
| Served at | Jack in the Box |
| Year introduced | May 1980 |
| Year larger version introduced | 2000 |
| Year removed from menu | Unclear, but still available in 2022 |
| Alternative name | Original Chicken Supreme |
| Alternative name | Jr. Chicken Sandwich |
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What You'll Learn
- The Chicken Supreme was Jack in the Box's first chicken sandwich, introduced in 1980
- It was ranked highly by food critics but has since been discontinued
- Customers have expressed disappointment over its removal and have started petitions for its return
- The sandwich was part of the chain's efforts to rebrand with higher-quality, healthier food
- It was advertised in the 1980 commercial Exploding Clown and a 2000 commercial featuring Jack Box and his wife
The Chicken Supreme was Jack in the Box's first chicken sandwich, introduced in 1980
The Chicken Supreme was Jack in the Box's first chicken sandwich, introduced in May 1980. It was part of the chain's efforts to reinvent itself as a more "mature" fast-food destination with higher-quality, healthier food. The sandwich was first tested in Waco, Texas; Tuscon, Arizona; and San Diego, California, before its official launch.
The Chicken Supreme was a hit with customers and food critics alike. In a 1980 comparison of fast-food chicken sandwiches, Fort Worth Star-Telegram food editor Jo Ann Vachule ranked it the highest. San Francisco Examiner columnist Jeff Jarvis also gave the sandwich a favourable review, noting that the two types of cheese "added a nice tang". However, not all reviews were positive. A disappointed customer in Tucson described it as "tasting like any of the fried fish or cheeseburgers I've had", while John Pashdag of the Los Angeles Times suggested the name "Chicken Downright Awful".
Following the success of the Chicken Supreme, Jack in the Box introduced more sandwiches in the same vein. By late 1982, the Chicken Supreme was being marketed as one of five "supreme" sandwiches, alongside the Hot Ham & Cheese Supreme, the Hot Beef & Cheese Supreme, the Club Supreme, and the Bacon Cheeseburger Supreme.
In 2000, Jack in the Box introduced a larger version of the Chicken Supreme, served on a submarine-style bread roll. This new version was advertised in a commercial featuring Jack Box and his wife, Cricket. Despite its initial popularity, the Chicken Supreme was eventually discontinued, prompting petitions and online discussions calling for its return.
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It was ranked highly by food critics but has since been discontinued
The Chicken Supreme was the first chicken sandwich served at Jack in the Box. It was introduced in May 1980 as part of the chain's efforts to reinvent itself as a more "mature" destination with higher-quality, healthier food. It was famously introduced in the 1980 commercial "Exploding Clown", in which a drive-thru signboard adorned with the chain's clown mascot, Jack, is exploded with dynamite, symbolizing that Jack in the Box was changing.
The Chicken Supreme was highly regarded by food critics upon its release. In a 1980 comparison of fast-food chicken sandwiches, Fort Worth Star Telegram food editor Jo Ann Vachule ranked the Chicken Supreme the highest, calling the name "modest." It also ranked the highest in a similar ranking by San Francisco Examiner columnist Jeff Jarvis, who noted that the two types of cheese "add a nice tang to the sandwich." However, not all critics were impressed. John Pashdag of the Los Angeles Times suggested a more accurate name would be the "Chicken Downright Awful."
Despite its initial popularity, the Chicken Supreme was eventually discontinued by Jack in the Box. This has led to disappointment and frustration among some customers, with some even starting petitions and using hashtags like #ChickenSupremeMeJack to try to bring it back. While there are no official statements from Jack in the Box about the reason for its discontinuation, some customers speculate that it may be due to the company's desire for people to purchase more expensive chicken sandwich options or that it has been renamed or reclassified under different menu categories.
The Chicken Supreme holds a special place in the hearts of many customers, and its discontinuation has sparked a sense of loss and nostalgia. Some customers even believe that it helped save Jack in the Box from financial ruin in the early 1980s. While the specific reasons for its discontinuation remain unknown, the impact of the Chicken Supreme on both the company and its customers is undeniable.
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Customers have expressed disappointment over its removal and have started petitions for its return
The removal of the Chicken Supreme sandwich from Jack in the Box has left customers disappointed and yearning for its return. Introduced in May 1980, it was the first chicken sandwich served by the chain and was part of an effort to reinvent itself as a "mature" destination with higher-quality, healthier food. The Chicken Supreme was initially tested in Waco, Texas; Tucson, Arizona; and San Diego, California, before its official debut.
The sandwich was well-received, with food critics praising its taste and ranking it highly compared to similar offerings from other fast-food chains. However, despite its popularity, Jack in the Box eventually removed it from their menu, sparking disappointment among loyal customers. In 2022, a Facebook post by a customer expressed dismay at the absence of the Chicken Supreme and its impact on their family, who had never had the chance to try it. The customer described it as "the only product I have ever commented on [...] on the web, and I hope I am part of the crew that rescues that awesome sandwich from extinction."
The sentiment was shared by other customers, with some taking to Reddit to express their confusion and disappointment over the sandwich's disappearance. One user lamented, "I want my chicken sandwich! I can't find it under the kids' menu," while another wondered if it was a result of changes to the restaurant's mobile app. The removal of the Chicken Supreme even inspired a petition on Change.org, urging Jack in the Box to bring back the beloved sandwich. The petition page described the Chicken Supreme as "one of the best sandwiches the restaurant ever made" and encouraged supporters to use the hashtag "#ChickenSupremeMeJack" on social media to gain the attention of the company.
The exact reasons for the removal of the Chicken Supreme from Jack in the Box's menu are unclear, but it has undoubtedly left a void in the hearts of many customers who cherished this sandwich. With petitions and social media campaigns, these devoted patrons continue to advocate for the return of a sandwich that held a special place in their dining experiences.
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The sandwich was part of the chain's efforts to rebrand with higher-quality, healthier food
The Chicken Supreme sandwich was introduced by Jack in the Box in May 1980. It was the first chicken sandwich served by the chain and was part of an effort to reinvent itself as a more "mature" destination with higher-quality, healthier food. The sandwich was initially tested in Waco, Texas; Tuscon, Arizona; and San Diego, California, before its official introduction. It was ranked highly by food critics and was considered one of the best sandwiches the restaurant ever made.
The introduction of the Chicken Supreme symbolised a shift in the company's approach to fast food dining, aiming for an updated and more sophisticated image. This shift was emphasised in the 1980 commercial "Exploding Clown," where a drive-thru signboard adorned with the chain's clown mascot, Jack, is exploded with dynamite. The commercial conveyed that Jack in the Box was embracing change and transformation.
Following the successful launch of the Chicken Supreme, Jack in the Box introduced more sandwiches in the same vein. By late 1982, the Chicken Supreme was marketed as one of five "supreme" sandwiches, alongside the Hot Ham & Cheese Supreme, the Hot Beef & Cheese Supreme, the Club Supreme, and the Bacon Cheeseburger Supreme. This expansion of the menu reinforced the brand's commitment to providing higher-quality and healthier options.
In 2000, Jack in the Box introduced a larger version of the Chicken Supreme, served on a submarine-style bread roll. This move demonstrated the brand's continued focus on innovation and responding to customer demands. The larger version was advertised in the "Big Announcement" commercial, featuring Jack Box and his wife, Cricket.
While the Chicken Supreme was well-received and played a pivotal role in Jack in the Box's rebranding efforts, it is no longer on the menu. Customers have expressed disappointment over its removal and have even started petitions to bring back the beloved sandwich. Despite its absence from the menu, the impact of the Chicken Supreme on the brand's evolution remains significant.
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It was advertised in the 1980 commercial Exploding Clown and a 2000 commercial featuring Jack Box and his wife
The Chicken Supreme sandwich was introduced by Jack in the Box in May 1980 as part of the chain's efforts to reinvent itself as a more "mature" destination with higher-quality, healthier food. It was the first chicken sandwich served at the restaurant and was considered one of the best sandwiches they ever made. The sandwich was initially tested in Waco, Texas; Tucson, Arizona; and San Diego, California, before its official introduction.
The Chicken Supreme was advertised in the 1980 commercial "Exploding Clown", which originally aired from May 5 to June 2, 1980. In the commercial, an elderly woman driving a black car pulls up to a Jack in the Box and sees employees strapping sticks of dynamite to a drive-thru menu adorned with the head of Jack, the chain's clown mascot. The manager states that Jack is going "bye bye," and the woman protests, saying, "But he's so cute." The manager explains that they now stand for "great new food," such as their new Chicken Supreme. An alternate version of the commercial focused more on the Chicken Supreme and did not feature the elderly woman or the employees. A subsequent series of commercials continued the premise of "Exploding Clown," including one in which a group of protestors chanting "save the clown!" change their minds after trying the Chicken Supreme.
In 2000, Jack in the Box introduced a larger version of the Chicken Supreme, served on a submarine-style bread roll. This larger version was advertised in the 2000 commercial "Big Announcement," featuring Jack Box and his wife, Cricket. While the Chicken Supreme was well-received, it is no longer on the Jack in the Box menu, and fans have started petitions to bring it back.
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Frequently asked questions
The Chicken Supreme was the first chicken sandwich served at Jack in the Box. It was introduced in May 1980 and was one of the five "supreme" sandwiches, including the Hot Ham & Cheese Supreme and the Bacon Cheeseburger Supreme.
It is unclear why the Chicken Supreme was removed from the menu. However, some customers have speculated that the name was changed to encourage people to purchase more expensive chicken sandwiches.
There is a possibility that the Chicken Supreme could return to the menu. There is currently a petition to bring back the Chicken Supreme, and customers are encouraged to use the hashtag #ChickenSupremeMeJack to get the attention of Jack in the Box.
