July 4 is coming up. That’s the biggest day of the year for patriotic Americans. And Baseball fans. And Hot Dog fans. Speaking of which, the reigning Hot Dog Eating champ will not be competing at this year’s Nathan’s contest…
The rundown…
Another summer-themed collection of the best new warm-weather dishes and deals the Fast Food sphere has to offer!
Mains
McDonald’s rolls out more big summer deals
McDonald’s is hoping to capture the summer Fast Food value scene headlines with its $5 Meal Deal and Free Fries Fridays. Now, it’s letting its location operators offer exclusive local discounts on the app. “We heard our fans loud and clear – they’re looking for even more great value from us, and this summer, that’s exactly what they’ll get,” McD’s USA CEO said, in a statement.
Pizza Hut goes Chicago Tavern Style
The chain claims it’s the first global pizza brand to offer such a pie. CTS is a classic thin-crust expression of the American Pizza tradition.
The Hut is also adding several new toppings to its regular menu: Chicken Sausage, Pesto Swirl, and Spicy Sauce. That’s a significant expansion of the Hut’s cultural horizons – all too appropriate for a ‘global’ brand!
Burger King reprises ‘Your Way Meal’
The famous $5 combo meal includes: A choice of either a Whopper Jr., a Chicken Jr., or a Bacon Cheeseburger; plus Four Chicken Nuggets, Value Fries, and a Value Soft Drink. This one’s going to be a hot item this summer, at BK locations across the chain.
Carl’s Jr. faces east with Teriyaki sammys
Carl’s says they’re all-new Teriyaki Burgers and Teriyaki Chicken Sandwiches – not returning items by the same name from the past.
Oodles of appropriate toppings on each. Both come with charbroiled meat components. And you can get the burger as a double.
Sides
Taco Bell retails new dips
The Bell has released three new spicy dips to the retail channel. The trio are a collab with Kraft/Heinz, which is already positioned to make and distribute the products. The Cravings Dips initial flavours include: Spicy Bean (see photo, top of page), Creamy Crunch-Dip Supreme, and saucy Mexican-Style Pizza. Unlike the chain’s other supermarket products, the dips aren’t meant to help fans recreate their fave Bell menu items at home. The Dips are more of an extension, offering new flavours…
Beverages
Today is National Smoothie Day!
… Check your go-to smoothie source for smoothie specials, special smoothies and celebratory events!
MTN DEW pours red, white and blue…
The DEW is pouring ‘matching’ red white and blue summer quenchers, just in time for July 4th…
They’re dubbed: Star Spangled Splash; Freedom Fusion; and Liberty Chill. Available at grocery and convenience stores everywhere, for a limited time.
… Spins out Infinite Swirl
7-Eleven and the DEW are collabbing again on an exclusive new summer flavour. Infinite Swirl is easily distinguishable on the shelf or in the cooler by it’s shark-evolved pineapple mascot.
There’s also a new MTN Dew Freedom Fusion Slurpee flavor featuring a combo of lemonade and peach flavors. The latter will be available from July 25…
A&W offers centenarians free Root Beer
The dubs is hedging it’s bets… Offering anyone in the US who’s over 100 years old free Root Beer floats ‘for life’. It’s in recognition of the chain’s 105th anniversary. Believe it or not, A&W is the oldest (earliest to open) Fast Food chain in the US, and the longest-lived one that’s still open!
Snacks
Notable test: Taco Bell’s new Dipping Burritos
The Bell is test marketing new Cheesy Dipping Burritos. They’re described by those who’ve had the pleasure to know them first hand…
…as snack-sized versions of the chain’s Grilled Cheese Burrito, and come two to an order. Choose from: Creamy Chipotle, Sour Cream, or Warm Nacho Cheese dipping sauces.
Subway adds Footlong Dippers
The sub shop has been developing an extensive menu of what it calls Sidekicks – footlong snacks, sides… And now dippers. They’re rolls of lavash-style flatbread filled with melted cheese and/or meat. Choose from: Pepperoni & Cheese, Chicken & Cheese, and Double Cheese. Each comes with a pot of your choice from the chain’s 11 sauces.
Cheetos brings back Salsa Con Queso
Cheetos is bringing back its legendary Salsa con Queso flavour as part of a campaign to find a new Hispanic Community Ambassador.
It’s the 5th annual incarnation of the Cheetos Deja tu Huella (‘Leave Your Mark’) campaign. “As a brand that’s dedicated to uplifting the Hispanic community, we’re proud to continue the important Deja tu Huella program,” said Tina Mahal, Senior VP of Marketing, Pepsico. […] The Deja tu Huella Ambassador program provides much-needed visibility and funding to help make lasting change.”
Novelties
Pizza Hut continues 40-year Book It! legacy
The pie giant is once again sponsoring its iconic summer reading program for kids. Teachers and homeschool families with PreK – 6th grade students can enroll them in the program, which also runs from October 1st to March 31st. The kids can earn a Pizza Hut Personal Pan Pizza for each reading goal attained, and the program is totally free!
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s going to be making some of us more likely to languish over the coming steamy days and sweltering weeks. See you back here in 7 for the next indulgent edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.