Time, again, for another Fast Food news roundup, and it seems he QSRs (Quick Service Restos) are capitalizing on warmer weather with a bunch of new iced beverage launches, McDonald’s hypes its Fish conservation program, and Domino’s is taking to the streets to fix customer-nominated ‘worst roads’…
Dominos is partnering with cities to fix streets that pummel delivery Pizzas…
IHOP changes name for one day to underline a new thrust
IHOP changed its name to ‘IHOb’ for a day last week. That amused some and outranged others. Fans were encouraged to guess what the ‘b’ in the temporary new name stood for. No, not ‘Breakfast’, as many thought. It’s all abour Burgers, the new direction IHOP is taking, expanding into a neighbouring niche and bolstering the potential for higher sales at lunch and supper. The new burger menu features such items as: the Big Brunch, Cowboy BBQ, Jalapeño Kick, Mushroom & Swiss, The Classic, The Classic with Bacon, and the Mega Monster.
Taco Bell celebrates the Watermelon…
The Bell has just released a new summer slush drink, the Watermelon Freeze, which consists of a watermelon slush base dotted with candy ‘seeds’. It’s pretty thick and, so gets a max-diameter green straw, carrying on the watermelon theme. It’s available everywhere now, The Bell says, and can be had for just a buck during ‘Happier Hour’, 2-5 p.m. And it’s only available for the summer.
…Adds a new Nachos box for summer
For just(US)$5, you can now get a juiced-up Steak Nachos Box complete with a beverage. It’s smaller than the Boss Nachos Box offered a few years ago, but the drink is a welcome addition. Wanna scarf one? Get ready to take onboard more than 1,060 Calories and 1080 mg of Salt!
McDonald’s débuts new Cold Brew Coffee drinks…
There’s a new treat under the Golden Arches: Cold Brew beverages for summer. Cold Brew Frozen Coffee packs a hefty 295 Calories and the following key ingredients: Ice, Cream, Skim Milk, Sugar, Cold Brew Coffee. Some folks who’ve tried it say they prefer it to Starbuck’s Cold Brew. I’ll reserve judgement until I’ve had a chance to taste it.There’s also a new Cold Brew Frappé featuring the same basic list of ingredients. And, of course, they’re only around ’till fall.
…And toots its horn over sustainability drive
McDonald’s has had a Sustainable Fishes Program since 2001 and is a partner with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to “restore depleted fish stocks, improve fishery management and conserve marine environments.” Of course, tyhat’s not totally altruistic on McDonald’s part. The QSR needs millions of pounds of Fish a year to fell the demand for its Filet-O-Fish sandwich. McD’s says iot’s working toward using 100 percent farmed fish by 2020, to help conserve the over-fished, endangered wild fisheries. And, now, they’ve launched a downloadable card game called Reel it in! to help make kids more aware of marine sustainability issues. It’s free. No word on whether it’s loads opf fun, or not…
Paving for Pizza!
Domino’s Pizza has been getting a lot of complaints about Pizzas that arrive damaged after their delivery cars have to navigate the really bad roads in some cities. In order to protect the perfection of their Pizzas, The company has entered into a partnership with the municipal governments in Burbank, CA, Athens, GA, Milford, DE, and Bartonville, TX, to help fill in potholes on city streets. The program, called Paving for Pizza, wants fans to call in and nominate their city and its Pizza-pummeling streets for their attention.
Panera Bread gets Cheesy
Panera has launchd a new Bacon Mac and Cheese bowl which can be ordered for delivery in most locations. It’s Panera’s regular Mac & Cheese topped with chopped crispy Applewood-Smoked Bacon. But I can’t truthfully say I never met a Bacon-topped Mac&Cheese I didn’t love!
And Baskin-Robins Flavour of the Month is…
… is Caramel Macchiato.
And that’s the skinny…
…On what’s making us fat for this week. See you back here in seven for more ‘QSR’ news!
~ Maggie J.