The Rotisserie Renaissance: Is Your Business Ready?

1515 Design
Jan 20
2 min read

Have you heard the news? The New York Times declared 2025 the “year of the rotisserie.”

The claim was more than just clickbait, though. A recent article from the media giant revealed an interesting trend in American dining that backs the claim: rotisserie chicken is expanding its reputation from grocery store staple to the centerpiece of upscale casual restaurants.

From Brooklyn to New Orleans to Oakland, operators are charging $27 to $58 for whole birds, and customers are paying it. For food service professionals, this trend represents a significant opportunity for profit and adaptability.

Rotisserie Chicken Continues to be "Recession-Proof"

The Times points to rising beef prices as a crucial factor driving the rotisserie renaissance. While beef prices have surged 25% to $8.94 per pound, whole chicken remains stable at $2.04 per pound. In the article, Stephanie Tang, owner of Johnny's in Williamsburg, credits this stability with keeping her family's rotisserie restaurants "recession-proof" through turbulent times, using Covid as an example.

Another story mentioned was one owner’s pivot from fine dining to fast-casual rotisserie. He found his second venture to be significantly more scalable and sustainable. Fast-casual rotisserie meant customers could return regularly rather than saving visits for special occasions.

Fast-Casual Relies on Visual Presentation

The Times article reveals another key insight into the rise of rotisserie dining. Successful rotisserie concepts understand that equipment isn't just functional: it's interactive marketing. The rotation of perfectly bronzed birds creates entertainment and transparency that no menu description can match.

This is where porcelain enamel finishes matter. The bright, colorfast finish on rotisseries like those from industry-favored Doregrill offers superior durability and allows for custom finishes that create a bespoke in-store experience for your brand’s customers.

1515 design — *Doregrill MAG Gas Rotisserie*

Upscale Markets Benefit From Rotisserie Too

It’s important to note the trend extends beyond sit-down restaurants. The article also profiles concepts ranging from all-day cafes to wine bars to fast-casual takeaway spots that have all found success with rotisserie as their anchor.

For specialty retailers and gourmet markets, this creates opportunity. When neighborhood restaurants successfully charge premium prices for rotisserie chicken, it raises the category and increases customer willingness to pay for quality in retail settings too.

The rotisserie renaissance is highlighting the power of quality design too. The new generation of rotisserie concepts shares one trait: they're designed around the rotisserie itself. They’re not squeezing it in the corner of the kitchen as an afterthought. With over 60 years of combined industry experience, 1515 Design's consultation services help operators integrate rotisserie solutions into restaurant build-outs, food truck configurations, or specialty retail spaces.

This Isn't Doregrill Rotisserie's First Renaissance

No matter the economic situation, rotisserie always adapts.

The New York Times article confirms what industry veterans already know. Rotisserie chicken offers protein cost stability, operational consistency, and customer appeal that few other options can match. The question isn't whether this trend will continue; it's whether your equipment positions you to capitalize on it with the quality, reliability, and multi-sensory experience today's customers expect.