Time again for Fast Food Week, our regular rundown of news from the Quick Serve Restaurant (QSR) sphere. This week, the spotlight is on Chicken, with new offerings from KFC and Burger King. We also have word of some new Starbuck’s menu items for summer, and free Tacos from The Bell…
Prototype samples of KFC UK’s new Veggie KFC. They even mold them in
little drummie shapes to suggest the idea of Chicken…
KFC testing ‘KFV’
KFC is almost ready to test-market meatless KFC – which I will refer to as KFV (for ‘Vegetable’) for convenience. It’s a move to address the big trend to incorporate healthier alternatives in restaurant menus. The recipe for the product has yet to be perfected, but the chain says it will rely on the Colonel’s traditional blend of 11 different Herbs and Spices. The KFV initiative is just part of an overall program at KFC to cut Calories per serving by 20 percent over the next 7 years, and introduce a number of new meal deals that come in at under 600 Calories each. The bad news is, the KFV test market will happen only in the UK, and KFC North America says it has no plans to bring KFV here. Which is not to say we won’t get in Canada and the U.S. That’s almost certain if it’s a hit in the UK.
Starbuck’s adds Egg Bites for breakfast…
After scoring a hit with its Bacon and Gruyere Egg White Bites, Starbucks is launching a spicier Mex-inspired version with Chicken Chorizo, Cotija Cheese and Chipotle Salsa, wrapped in a thin Tortilla. Lovers of the traditional Mexican Sausage and Eggs breakfast dish (Huevos con Chorizo) should find this new Bite appealing.
…And two new Frapps
Relying on traditional favourite flavours, Starbucks is adding two new Frappuccinos to its summer menu. Seriously Strawberry blends Strawberry Purée and chunks of fresh strawberry with Milk. Ultra Caramel Frappuccino features layers of Whipped cream layers infused with Cold Brew, White Chocolate, and Caramel, with a drizzle of Caramel Sauce on top.
BK boosts its Chicken Fries
Burger King intrpoduced Chicken Fries some time ago, and has been offering flavour variants off and on since then. Now, the Burger Giant is going in a new direction, crusting the thin strips of Chicken with Pretzel crumbs. That will ring bells with some folks who know Pretzel-fried Chicken as a regional favourite. If you haven’t seen them before, you get 9 Crispy Pretzel Chicken Fries in a Fry-like sleeve for around ($)3.
Free Tacos at Taco Bell…
Taco Bell set up a promotion under which it promised to give away free Tacos (1 per customer) at a time and place to be determined, if either of the NBA Championship finalists won a game on the road. The Golden State Warriovs beat the Cavs in Cleveland on June 6, and, now, The Bell is paying off. From 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. this Wednesday, June 13, The Bell is giving away one Doritos Tacos Locos per guest at participating locations.
A1 Steak Sauce offers Meat-scented Candles
Not exactly a Fast Food story, but not exactly deserving of its own separate post, either, this announcement definitely falls in the novelty category – as do so many FFW items. They come in three variants: Classic Burger, Original Meat and Backyard BBQ. They’re housed in brown glass containers that mimic the A1 Sauce bottle, right down to the label, and are said to last from 50 to 70 hours. They’re (US)$14.99 at the dedicated Meat Scents website.
And that’s the skinny…
…On what’s making is fat for this week. Tune in again, same time, same place, in seven for another episode of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.