This week’s compendium of Fast Food sector announcements is highlighted by word from Coke of a new acquisition, the launch of new seasonal beverages and food specials by Dunkin’s, Taco Bell and Buffalo wild wings, and a Kraft/Hershey’s collaboration that puts Reese’s in a can!
With more than 4,000 locations in 31 countries, Costa Coffee was an obvious choice
for Coca Cola to get into the premium Coffee market…
Coca Cola to challenge Starbucks for Premium Coffee supremacy
Ever heard of Costa Coffee? It’s as familiar to Coffee lovers the world over as Starbuck’s. Except in North and South America. But, now that Coke has bought it for a cool (US)$5.1 billion, you can expect the Brand to begin popping up closer to home. Coke says it will expand Costa, probably into those areas where the company does not currently operate – i.e., the Western Hemisphere. Look first for packaged goods like bottles Iced Coffee in all the usual beverage coolers. It’s speculated that opening actual Costa Coffee Chops will take another year or so.
Dunkin’s expands Pumpkin Spice offerings
Dunkin’s is launching a new bottled Iced Coffee this fall. The recipe is pretty simple:Coffee, Milk, and Sugar mixed with Pumpkin Spice flavor. It’ll join the other Dunkin’s Coffees – Original, Mocha, Espresso, French Vanilla and Cookies & Cream – in the beverage cooler September 10. For a limited time only, of course.
Taco Bell celebrates Apple Season
…With a new, tall, 16-oz. beverage called the Caramel Apple Freeze. Tested on a very limited basis earlier this year, the Freeze is simply Green Apple-flavored Slush with a Caramel Sauce drizzle at the bottom. Stir it up for the full flavour effect! It’s just (US)$2.39 at most Bell locations, or just a buck during the chain’s ‘Happier Hour’ promo.
Buffalo Wild Wings gets ready for fall
BWW fans can enjoy the chain’s special fall fare later this coming week, when its new ‘Football Themed’ $5-And-Up menu débuts. Headlining the hearty list: Bratwurst & Fries, 38 oz. Domestic Pitcher, Cheeseburger & Fries, Tall Craft or Import Beer, Specialty Cocktails. But the special is only available for a limited time, from this coming Thursday (the official start of the NFL season) through the following Monday.
Chick-Fil-A promos mobile app with free Nuggets
Order via your Chick-Fil-A One account using the new CFA Mobile Ordering App and get a free 8-count order of Chicken Nuggets. The offer is good now through September 29. Note: the release from CFA doesn’t specify whether you can get unlimited free Nuggets, or whether you just get one, the first time you order via the phone app…
McDonald’s rolls out test of new Chicken menu items
In the same vein as their change to fresh Beef for Quarter Pounders, McD’s is testing what it calls ‘fresh, made-to-order’ specialties: The Ultimate Chicken Sandwich and Ultimate Chicken Tenders. Billed as lightly-breaded Chicken Breast Fillets and Tenders topped with Pickles and Honey Dijon Mustard on a ‘sweet Artisan Bun’, the new menu items are available only at selected McD’s locations in California, Louisiana and Washington DC.
Kraft and Hershey’s put Reese’s in a can!
Actually, it’s Kraft’s Dairy Whipped topping with Hershey’s Milk Chocolate or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup flavouring. The products are free of bovine growth hormones, processing Oils, high-fructose Corn Syrup and artificial colours or flavours. They’ll be available across the land starting in October at (US)$2.99 – (US)$3.99 per can. And you thought you’d outgrown eating whipped topping right out of the can!
And that’s the skinny…
…On what’s likely to make some of us a little fatter this coming week. Standby for the next Fast Food news roundup in seven…
~ Maggie J.