More evidence that the Fast Food / Snacks people are all getting their marketing advice from the same place: Last Week it was mega mains and snacks. This week, everybody has a seasonal beverage to plug. And there’s lots more where they come from!
Mains
Nissin lights up new Fire Wok Ramen
It comes in pouches, so you have to provide a bowl. It’s red. And it’s very spicy! The Cup Noodle / Top Ramen folks get one step closer to real Asian Ramen, which at its best is a meal in itself. Like Vietnamese Pho. There are 2 flavours to start: Torched Teriyaki Chicken and Screamin’ Sichuan Beef. These products are physically similar to Nissin’s Gekki Chili Infused Noodles released back in September. But maybe not quite as hot…
Perdue feeds Fast Food sophistication
Perdue – the chicken dynasty – has opened up a whole new vista for the heat-and-eat crowd: Air Fry snacks. Their first are Crispy Chicken Wings, in Lemon Pepper, Roasted and Hot ‘n Spicy versions. Designed for easy, pleasey game day grazing. Bet your friends never knew you were such a skilled fry cook!
Special Offers / Deals
Del Taco deals for Del Yeah! members
Del Taco has jo9ined other major Fast Food chains in publishing its monthly specials calendar. The holiday Del App Wrapped promotion runs through December 24. As usual, the deals can only be accessed through your Del Yeah! Rewards account, either online through the Del Taco website or mobile app, or by scanning the app when ordering in person.
Wendy’s Holiday ReWards for loyal customers
Wendy’s has a special array of Holiday deals for its ReWards loyalty program members. In fact, there’s a new special every day now through December 20. It’s a great mix of all your Wendy’s fave mains. What’s amazing is, the daily deal is FREE with any purchase. One per day, per member. A real fan could go back for the new feature every day and not get bored!
Snacks
Subway baking up more pastry Footlongs
Subway has enjoyed so much praise and adulation (and big sales figures!) for its Footlong Chocolate Chip Cookie that its rushing two more sweet treats to market.
Soon they’ll also have a Footlong Churro and a Footlong Pretzel on the menu. Courtesy of Cinnabon and Auntie Annie’s, respectively. Débuting across the US January 19th. They’re collectively calling them ‘Sidekicks’.
OREO adds Gluten-Free Golden flavour
Having, apparently, exhausted all the obvious regular flavour options, OREOs is rolling out a new Gluten-Free Golden variety. Look for it early in the new year. Gluten-Free Golden Oreos join the permanent line-up along with Original, Double Stuf, and Mint Creme.
Cheetos invades Popcornland!
Cheetos is launching two new popcorn flavours – yes, you heard right; popcorn – just in time for holiday snacking. New Cinnamon Sugar Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Popcorn and Marshmallow Hot Cocoa-flavored Smartfood Popcorn.
In other news, White Cheddar Snowflake Cheetos are back for a limited time. And you can also get a big Winter Favourites Mix box crammed with the best-selling Cheetos and Smartfood varieties. All are available at all the regular outlets, but for a limited time only.
Beverages
Happy Brew Year: Maxwell House mega pack
They’re ‘good to the last pod’. Maxwell House – one of the most iconic names in household coffee – is offering a unique holiday gift suggestion: The Happy Brew Year box. It contains 365 pods of classic Maxwell House coffee, to ensure that you always have the stuff at hand throughout 2024. Get it on Amazon. “It’s the gift your loved ones didn’t know you needed, but will treasure all year long.”
Ocean Spray bottles ready-blended Cocktail Mixers
Yes, Ocean Spray may be synonymous with Cranberry juice, but it’s much more. Just in time for the Holidays, they’ve launched a line of pre-bended Cocktail Mixers.
The inaugural varieties include some of the most popular: Cosmo, Strawberry Margarita, and Rum Punch. Just add booze and stir.
Shake Shack reprises Christmas Cookie Shake
It’s back for the Holidays! The one-of-a-kind Christmas Cookie Shake. A rich, creamy treat featuring sugar cookie frozen custard topped with whipped cream and gold confetti sprinkles. Now through the end of the year.
Wendy’s pours Freestyle Fountain drinks
And they’re just $0.01 for a limited time! Go ahead and blend your own combo of Coca Cola fountain drinks. There are ‘more 100 possible combinations’.
‘Penny Pops’ are available for a limited time only – of course – but you get them at any Wendy’s across the US.
Starbucks whips up new Merry Mint White Mocha
Here’s a new take on snow-themed year-end holiday drinks. the MMWM is described as Starbucks Signature espresso mixed with white chocolate sauce, milk, and ice. And topped with Peppermint Chocolate Cream Cold Foam and chocolate curls. Quite the production! Bet it tastes ‘busy’… Available now through the end of this year.
Novelties
Church’s gets a leg up – on your Holiday tree
Church’s Chicken is offering a nifty Chicken Leg ornament for your Holiday tree. It looks hauntingly like a real, breaded, deep-fried chicken leg. But it’s really just a striking (inedible) simulacrum.
It’s FREE with the purchase any family meal at participating locations for a limited time, while supplies last. Guaranteed to make your holiday guests take a second look!
Cheez-It formalizes viral Brr Basket
Have you heard of the viral Brr Basket craze? Brr Baskets are gift baskets stuffed with goodies, snacks and winter desureables likje fuzzy socks. They’re intended as ‘just because’ gifts for friends and loved ones. Chez-It is offering its own version of the Brr Basket for (US)$60. Includes, “a stylish Cheez-It OG Cracker Beanie, an ultra-soft Cheez-It Plush Throw Blanket and the cutest, cracker-covered Cheez-It Custom Dress Socks, all served alongside the perfect set of [Cheez-It]snacks.”
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s going to make some of a little more Frosty The Snowman-like over the coming holidays! See you back here in 7 for the next seasonally festive edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.