GRAND UNION PUSHING ROTISSERIE CHICKEN MEAL

WAYNE, N.J. -- Grand Union Co. here is trying to get more out of its rotisserie chicken program by adding trimmings and selling the birds as part of a whole meal.

"Convenient! Let Us Make Dinner for You. Fresh! Grade A Chickens Roasted Daily. Delicious! Try Some For Lunch, Dinner or a Snack," said the ad, which included a coupon worth $1 off the meal price.

Side dishes listed included buttered corn, baked beans, stuffing, potato salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw, chicken pot pie, soup and combinations.

At Grand Union units in the suburbs of New York City, blue banners proclaiming "Rotisserie Chicken" in gold letters were draped across the front windows.

Officials at the chain could not be reached for comment, but a store source told SN that the ad and banners are designed to get customers to buy a whole meal, not just a chicken.

The chain had offered rotisserie chickens previously. What is new is the addition of side dishes to go with them.

No prices are listed in the ad circular, but menus, with prices, are posted at the service deli counter. Some examples are: Grand Dinner for two: $7.99, one chicken, one side of mashed potatoes and two pieces of corn bread. The Grand Dinner for three is $10.99, and includes one chicken, two regular side dishes and three pieces of corn bread.

Individual meals featuring a quarter- or a half-chicken are served on a plate with portion wells. The quarter-chicken meal with dark meat, two side items and cornbread is $3.49. With white meat, it's $4.49. Side dishes are served up from a hot table adjoining a hot case with a row of chickens. Chickens alone are $2.99 a pound.