A parade of returning menu items this week. And an equally strong representation of new Mains and Snacks. But the BIG news in the Quick Service Restaurant sphere is, 78 percent of Americans now consider Fast Food a luxury!
Taco Bell’s new Big Cheez-It specialties…
The rundown…
News FLASH!
78% of Americans consider Fast Food ‘luxury’
A new LendingTree survey reveals that more than 3 of every 4 Americans now consider a fast Food meal a ‘luxury’. A full 50 percent said they considered Fast Food a luxury because they’re struggling with shrinking buying power and higher FF prices.
“That’s a new phenomenon.’ Lending Tree said in a statement. “For the vast majority of Americans to feel that way seems like a significant cultural shift, and a troubling sign.”
Mains
Taco Bell unveils Big Cheez-It specialties…
The Bell has partnered with Cheez-It crackers to create a huge Cheez-It on which it bases two new TB menu items. The Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme features a mammoth Cheez-It inside the familiar hex-folded wrap. The Big Cheez-It Tostada tops the jumbo cracker with seasoned beef, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, shredded cheese and sour cream.. You can also get the Crunchwrap in a special Big Cheez-It Box which includes a Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, a regular order of Nacho Fries and a fountain drink.
… Reprises Cheesy Chicken Crispanada
It’s back, it’s crispy on the outside, and it’s stuffed with a creamy blend of shredded chicken and 3 cheeses. This house-branded Empanada is designed to pair with Spicy Ranch dipping sauce, but you can choose whichever Bell Sauce you prefer. For a limited time only…
El Pollo Loco brings back favourites
EPL is giving fans a taste of a couple of their all-time favourites: Chicken Poblano and Shredded Beef Stuffed Quesadillas.
For the uninitiated, Stuffed Quesadillas are similar in appearance to Taco Bell’s multi-sided, ‘camera iris’-folded Crunch Wraps.
Panda Express pops new Hot Orange Chicken
“Leveraging our expertise as the creators of The Original Orange Chicken, we have a deep understanding of American Chinese fried chicken,” announced Panda Express’ Senior Culinary Innovation Manager, Chef Adrian Lok. It’s the famous Panda Orange Chicken, with the addition of the same chilis as used in their Kung Pao Chicken.
Sides
Burger King adds a new Crispy Wrap
It’s the Chicken Philly Royal, and it’s built on half of a crispy-fried chicken breast, topped with savory Royal sauce, Swiss cheese, and flame-grilled peppers and onions. All rolled up in a warm flour tortilla. One food blogger ventures that the Chicken Philly Royal is, “a chicken snack wrap version of the recently introduced Philly Melt.”
McDonald’s débuts ‘Seasonings’
They’re called ‘McShaker’ powdered seasonings, and they’re available only in Canada – for now. But the new Churro and Masala seasonings are already looking like a hit with app users, who got early access.
They’re intended as dredges for fries, but you could use them on anything. They’re around while supplies last. If popular enough, we might get them permanently.
Beverages
Welch’s pours summer Vodka Cocktails
The famous Grape Juice company is expanding into proven adult beverage territory. Welch’s has launched a new line of vodka-based cocktails flavoured with its flagship juices. Welch’s ‘ready to drink’ Craft Cocktails come in 4 versions; Grape Vodka Transfusion, Vodka Cranberry, Watermelon Mule, and Passion Fruit Mojito. And these punches pack a punch – 5.9 percent alcohol by volume.
Snacks
Eggos go decadent with ‘Loaded’ waffles
They’re officially dubbed, ‘Fully-Loaded Chocolate Chip Brownie’ waffles. And they’re just one of 5 new ‘fancy’ waffle varieties hitting the shelves now.
Choose from: Cinnamon Churro; Chocolate Chip Belgian Style; Dark Chocolate Chip Thick and Fluffy; and Mixed Berry. Any or all of these new loaded waffles would also make a great snack anytime.
Classic Ranch Fritos return for summer
They’re officially ‘Yellowstone’ Ranch Fritos, in honour, and in collaboration with the hit Kevoin Costner TV series Yellowstone. And they’re here across the US, for a limited time, only. The classic Fritos are anointed with the, “tangy, savory, and creamy buttermilk” flavors of original Ranch Dressing.
Little Caesar’s gets all puffy
Well, they’re at least a little puffy, thanks to their new Kraft-enabled Mac & Cheese Crazy Puffs. These savoury muffins, available only in Canada for now…
… are made with ‘real’ Kraft Dinner (Kraft Mac & Cheese in the US) and come in three versions: Original, Pepperoni and 3 Cheese & Herb. Plain Crazy Puffs are available in the US.
Goldfish go spicy for summer
Goldfish crackers are bringing back their spicy version – featuring Old Bay Seasoning – again, for an early-summer run. It’s become an annual event. Original Goldfish crackers are dredged in Old Bay’s 18-ingredient signature blend of herbs and spices.
M&Ms flavour jumps the gun!
M&M’s has announced a new flavour for fall – and it isn’t even summer, yet! Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Pie M&Ms will feature pumpkin spice flavored (ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice) milk chocolate in ivory, chocolate and red candy shells.
Mars, who make M&Ms, insist they’re intended for summer snacking, and we suspect they may linger on into fall if they’re popular enough.
Tic Tacs embrace the obvious
Tic Tacs have enjoyed supremacy in the breath/snack mint category for decades. With hardly a change, aside from adding new flavours. Now, the brand is making a no-so0big leap from suckable to chewable treats. Not exactly gum, and not gummies, Tic Tac Chewies will premiere this fall in 5 flavours: Cherry, Apple, Orange, Lemon, and Sour Grape.
Novelties
McDonald’s retros ‘1955’ Burger Snack Wraps
The wraps – available only in South Korea, for now, at least – are billed as, “a taste of 1955, when McDonald’s was first established,” as a franchise operation by Ray Krok.
They contain a 1/4 pound beef patty, a special 1955 Sauce, ketchup, onions, bacon, lettuce, and tomato, wrapped up in a flour tortilla. Once again I have to ask… Why not here, in North America?
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s going to be enticing some of us to the drive-thru more frequently over the coming days and weeks. See you back here in 7, for the next, jumbo order of fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.