What a disappointment! No Novelties or Sides to trumpet this week! But there are some interesting Mains unveilings. Including new Stuffed Hot Dogs, Kiwi Watermelon Refreshers, Gluten-Free Chips Ahoy! Cookies, and free shakes at SONIC!
Oscar Mayer: Old brand opening up new territory…
The rundown…
Without further ado, let’s get to this past week’s major Fast Food reveals…
Mains
McDonald’s ready to test new burger
We don’t as a rule, trumpet market tests here at the FFB. But this one is worth noting. McDonald’s responded last fall to ongoing demands from fans for better value and bigger burgers. It promised to develop new menu items that meet those requirements. And now, the chain says it’s ready to start market testing a new, bigger burger. The test program is slated to span many months, through this summer and fall. McD’s seems determined to get it right…
Oscar Mayer adds three new ‘flavours’
Ancient and venerable hot dog house, Oscar Mayer (OM) has added three new ‘flavours’ to its tube steak line. They’re stuffed with Cheese, Chili Cheese and Jalapeño fillings. What a great idea! And why didn’t anybody else in the frankfurter universe think of it? It’s a strategic move by OM to tap as-yet-unexploited corners of the hot dog market…
Popeye’s gilds the chicken
Popeye’s new Golden BBQ Chicken Sandwich starts with its acclaimed crispy fried chicken breast and adds the ‘standard’ pickle rounds. Then it slathers on a new sweet and tangy BBQ honey mustard sauce.
You can add a slice of Havarti cheese and/or a portion of bacon for a slight additional charge. And you can have the same sandwich with a blackened chicken breast, if you prefer.
WhataBurger does steak and bacon…
The iconic southern US chain is rolling out a limited-time Bacon Steakhouse Double burger. Stacked on a freshly toasted bun, the sandwich starts with 2 beef patties, adds a slice of American (pro-cessed) cheese to each, then tops off with bacon, crispy onions, and tangy steak sauce. Available in regular and junior sizes.
… Lets its new Wings fly!
WhataBurger is also extending the limited-time run for its new WhataWings through the end of the year. The chain says it’s responding to ‘overwhelming demand’.
You can dip the ‘boneless’ munchables in Honey BBQ Sauce, Buffalo Sauce, Honey Butter Sauce, or Sweet & Spicy Sauce.
Beverages
Panera discontinues Charged Lemonades
It was all just too much hassle. Panera has removed controversial Charged Lemonades from its menu. It’s the final chapter in a sad story. The bread and bowl chain was hit last year with a string of lawsuits charging the heavily caffeinated beverages caused the death of three customers.
Dunkin’ delivers summer Refreshers
The new Kiwi Watermelon Dunkin’ Refresher is different. It’s described as based on Kiwi and Watermelon flavors, mixed with your choice of green tea or lemonade, and a blend of green tea extract.
And they’re adding metabolism-boosting B vitamins. The splashy new bev is just one of more than half a dozen seasonal menu items – including a coordinating Kiwi Watermelon doughnut!
SONIC commemorates classic Creamsicle…
SONIC – the drive-in that stands as a living memorial to the good old days of Fast Food – is reviving the spirit of the iconic Creamsicle ice cream bar. The peachy dessert lives on in SONIC’s Orange Cloudiscle Slush Float. It starts with crushed ice, then adds Orange Cloudsicle Syrup and Orange Vanilla Flavor Bubbles. It’s topped off with a genrous helping of vanilla softserve and sprinkled with more flavour bubbles.
… Offers killer online Shake deal
SONIC is courting the evening crowd with a free online shake deal. But you have to order after 7 pm., via the mobile app or website.
The deal includes Sonic’s entire shake menu – both Classic and Master Shakes. For a limited time, at participating locations…
Snacks
Chips Ahoy goes gluten-free
The perennial-favourite chocolate chip cookie has finally bowed to the inevitable. Chips Ahoy is now offering a gluten-free version. Proprietor Nabisco says it took 40 stabs at the recipe and 3,000 hours of research before proclaiming success. “We didn’t want it to be [just] a good gluten free cookie, we wanted it to be a great cookie that’s also gluten free,” says Jainette Quinones, Brand Manager of Chips Ahoy! Innovation.
Krispy Kreme’s Mother’s Day Collection
KK has the ideal last-minute Mother’s Day gift the whole family can enjoy. It’s the Minis For Mom Collection. This year, they’ve got three new special occasion mini-sinkers: a Mini Strawberry Iced Heart; a Mini Iced Rose; and a Mini Chocolate Cookie Crumble.
“Our Minis for Mom Collection is a sweet way to create mini moments with your mom this Mother’s Day,” oozes Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme’s Global Chief Brand Officer.
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s going to make some us us a little more trepidatious about appearing at the beach over the coming days and weeks. We’ll see you back here in 7 with the next sunscreen-slathered edition of Fast Food Week…
~ Maggie J.