Finally! A more-equal distribution of new and returning menu items across all categories… But no Beverages this week. We’ve noted, previously, that all the major Fast Food players seem to be working from the same play book…
Herewith, your rundown…
… Of announcements from the week just passed…
Mains
Wendy’s backpedals on ‘Surge pricing’
Wendy’s has pulled back from the statement by its new CEO earlier this week that the chain was going to implement AI-driven ‘dynamic pricing’. Consumers screamed bloody murder, saying Wendy’s was planning to raise prices during peak hours. Not so, the chain said in a hastily concocted statement issued later in the week: “We have no plans to do that and would not raise prices when our customers are visiting us most.” We’ll see…
Panera launches major menu update
Finally, a Fast Food joint showing at least a little sensitivity to the plight of cash-strapped diners! Panera Bread is getting ready to roll out a major menu update featuring 9 menu items under $10. and ’12 enhanced classics’. (See photo, above.) “The new menu offers guests better value through enhanced portions and lower price points,” the news release states. Good on you, Panera…
Jack In The Box unveils new menu items
There’s a big menu change-up coming at JITB. And the new stuff is uniformly… different. Two new varieties of Jack’s wings: Garlic Parmesan and Buffalo. A Pineapple Express shake…
… A Spicy Crispy Chicken Wrap (pictured above). A Birria Grilled Cheese. And a Chicken Tater Melt. And a Churro Creamaccino dessert you eat with a spoon. Coming on stream one at a time through this fall.
Arby’s reprises King’s Hawaiian Fish Deluxe Sandwich
The KHFD sammy is a Lenten staple at the house where they ‘have the meats’. (See photo, top of page.) It’s described as a ‘premium’ version of Arby’s regular Crispy Fish Sandwich. It’s built on a King’s Hawaiian bun, topped with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce. Some fans make it a Friday go-to during the 40 days prior to Easter…
Church’s brings back Fish and Shrimp
Church’s Chicken has brought back several fish and shrimp dishes with prices starting for Lent. Chose the Fish Sandwich or Six-Piece Classic Shrimp Basket for a light lunch. There’s also a 20-Piece Classic Shrimp and Six-piece Tenders Box ‘surf and turf deal. And a Fish Platter Combo that includes two fish filets, tartar sauce, French fries, a Honey-Butter Biscuit, and a 30 oz. / 850 ml drink.
Sides
Guy Fieri débuts new Flavourtown Sauces.
There are 9 of them – at least to start – covering a vast range of tastes from sweet to savoury, and a full array of heat levels.
Of special note: Famous Donkey Sauce (Aioli); to Secret Sauce (also an Aioli); Mop Sauce BBQ; and Money Honey BBQ. Premiering this month at most major supermarkets chains.
Snacks
America’s Favourite Snack: Rice Crispy Treats!
Good, old Rice Crispy Treats came out on top as the nation’s most desired snack, ‘winning’ 18 states in a recent Hubscore survey. Doritos – last year’s top choice came in right behind with 16 states. And Cheetos finished well back in third, with just 8 states. Watch for our detailed analysis of the survey coming up in a few days…
Pringle’s brings back Honey Mustard
It’s a nostalgia thing, I guess. But driven by constant pressure from fans. Pringle’s is bringing back its all-time, most requested flavour: Honey Mustard.
“Pringles Honey Mustard has an incredibly passionate fanbase. In fact, it was our most asked-for flavor from the brand in the last two years,” Mauricio Jenkins, U.S. marketing lead for Pringle’s, said in a statement. And the flavour is back permanently. For once, a good thing returns NOT on a limited-time basis!
Wendy’s enlists Cinnabon Pull-Aparts
They’re classic mini breakfast cinnamon buns that come in a clump. Served up hot and gooey! Available across the chain now, while supplies last. In case you were wondering: An order delivers: 550 Calories, 26 g total Fat, 440 mg Sodium, 70 g of Carbs, and 8 g of Protein. High in the bad stuff. Low in the good stuff. And enough calories to make up a quarter of your daily recommended intake. Just so you know..
Lays + IHOP = Fruity chips…
Lays and IHOP are partnering on a new potato chip flavour: Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity. It’s an homage to IHOP’s fave Pancake dish…
… Featuring strawberry, maple syrup and savory bacon notes. Another formidable combination of sweet, salty and umami. It appears to be a Walmart exclusive, available for a limited time, only.
…Launches Sweet & Spicy Honey
Another entry on the currently hot ‘swicy’ front. They feature honey that’s been infused with chili peppers. A sure-fire hit. available now across the US at retail. And via the snacks.com online store.
Trader Joe’s 2024 fave Product?
Chili and Lime Flavored Rolled Tortilla Chips. “Whether it’s their satisfying crunch, the just-hot-enough seasoning blend, or the fact that they’re $2.99 per bag — or a combination of all of the above — these rolled chips bested everything else on Trader Joe’s shelves,” Food and Wine reports. The product was the undisputed star of TJ’s 15th annual Customer Choice Awards.
Novelties
Chuck E. Cheese tells all in new Cookbook
DO your kids clamor for the menu items they can only get at Chuck E. Cheese’s? Even when it’s nobody’s birthday? Now you can make official CEC’s dishes at home, from the official CEC & Friends Party Cookbook.
Available for pre-order now, through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Bookshop.org, with a suggested retail price of $10.99. For release on Thursday, March 14.
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s going to be making some of us a little fatter over the comind days and weeks. See you back here in 7 for the nest nbelt-expanding edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Masgie J.