Chicken franchise retailer Lenard’s walked away from the recent 2012 Food Magazine Challenge Awards with a win in the meat and small goods category.

The accolade was handed out for its successful Breast Pastelle range. In the first two months of its official launch this range overshadowed long-standing popular Lenard’s favourites such as the Cordon Bleu and Parmigiana.

Sales of the new product also outstripped those of its predecessor the Filo, by more than 165 percent.

Lenard’s CEO Bruce Myers said “Responding to consumer research findings, Lenard’s departed from the traditional everyday food product and focused on the gourmet, at-home dining occasion.”

• Food Magazine is part of the RBI publishing house which includes Franchising magazine.