The Holidays are over and marketing activity in the Fast Food sector is getting back to normal after a very quiet two weeks. Chipotle’s has help for New Year’s diet resolutions, Arby’s has a Mega Sandwich, McDonald’s aims Donut Sticks squarely at Dunkin’s, and Taco Bell brings back Naked Chicken…
Chipotle’s new Double Protein Salad Bowl. One of four,
each geared to a popular New Year’s resolution Diet…
Chipotle’s Lifestyle Bowls an aid to dieters
That’s one way of looking at these new menu offerings, anyway. The Bowls come in four diet-specific varieties: Double Protein, Keto Salad, Paleo Salad and a Whole30 Salad. Details at the Chipotle’s website. It’s no coincidence that these new Bowls are being launched at the New Year. They’re right in tune with many folks’ dietary resolutions! The Lifestyle Bowls will be permanent additions to the Chipotle menu. Obviously, C’s wants you to make them, a habit!
Sonic serves up Chili Bowls
Sonic is offering Chili Bowls for a limited time (through January 28), in a nod to cold weather ‘warm-up’ dining. The regular Hearty Chili Bowl has Ground Beef, Vegetables, Beans and Tex-Mex Seasonings. The Loaded version adds Fritos Corn Chips, Shredded Cheese, and Diced Onions – for just (US)$0.50 more!
Arby’s introduces a new mega Sandwich…
It’s officially called the 5 Mega Meat Stack Sandwich, and features: Pepper Bacon, Smoked Ham, Roast Turkey, Roast Beef and a Crispy Chicken Filet, topped with Mayo, Cheddar Cheese, Tomato, and Shredded Lettuce on a Toasted Bun. It clocks in at: 900 Calories, 47 g of Fat, 3160 g of Sodium (!), 53 g of Carbs and 65 g of Protein. Wow! I’ll eat the other half for lunch tomorrow…
…brings back OREO Bites
Noted for their entrées and their slogan, ‘We’ve got the Meats!’, Arby’s is not neglecting the Dessert Department. Oreo Bites are back for a limited time. They first appeared last January, also for a limited time. Each Bite is an OREO Chocolate Doughnut Hole stuffed with OREO Creme. A decadent way to top off a succulent Arby’s Sandwich meal!
McDonald’s launching Donut Sticks
McD’s will launch its second new Breakfast Menu item in under a year next month, with the début of Donut Sticks. They look a lot like Dunkin’s Donut Fries and are pretty much identical, ingredients-wise. Looks like open war between Dunkin’s and McD’s on the dessert front. The news was leaked in internal McD’s documents passed recently to Business Insider. McD’s has been struggling with sagging sales in the Morning Segment.
“We want to do better at breakfast,” McD’s CEO Steve Easterbrook told an investors’ conference call last October. “We’ve got some initiatives in place, which we’re going to see out through the next few months and also some new food news, which we think will re-energize the day part.”
Taco Bell sneaks Naked Chicken back in under the radar
The Naked Chicken Chalupa is back at the Bell, for a very limited time – only through mid January. It’s that nifty Chicken ‘Taco Shell’ stuffed with Lettuce, Tomato, Cheddar Cheese and Avocado Ranch Sauce.
Popeye’s rolls out Black Eyed Peas
Participating Popeye’s locations will offer Black Eyed Peas in two sizes, as a side or a main, for a limited time. The dish is described as Black Eyed Peas stewed in a Smoky Broth with Onion, Garlic, and a blend of Jalapeno and Poblano Peppers.
And that’s the skinny…
…On what will be making some of us fatter in the coming weeks. See you back here in seven for another edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.