There’s a little bit of everything on the ‘Fast Food’ menu this week! With a definite emphasis on Mains and Snacks. Plus a nod to the 4th of July. And everything has a summery glow about it…
The rundown…
More and more announcements coming in every week… So many more decisions on what to include here, in your authoritative best-of-the-best Fast Food product and events showcase!
Mains
Popeye’s trumpeting new Boneless Wings
Boneless Wings are a real’ thing’, and Popeye’s is making a major effort to prove the point. Its new chicken nibbles début in an array of flavours including: Classic; Honey Lemon Pepper; Signature Hot; Honey BBQ; Sweet ‘N Spicy; and Roasted Garlic Parmesan. “Our culinary team brought the best flavors from our existing Wing platform to this new Boneless offering to give our guests the best of both worlds,” Popeye’s President Jeff Klein said.
Dunkin’s releases Summer Menu 2.0
It’s actually ‘Summer Menu Part II’, and it’s headlined by a new Hot Honey line including: a Hot Honey Sandwich, a Wake-Up Wrap…
… and Snackin’ Bacon strips. And don’t forget the new marshmallow-filled, chocolate-dipped doughnut… There are also some new kicked-up summer bevs, as reported below…
Panera offers Chicken sammys for Rewards members
The sandwich and bowl folks are serving up a pair of special sammys as a summer reward for their Rewards program members. Just enter the code word ‘SUMMER’ at checkout in the app to receive either a Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad or Chicken Bacon Rancher Sandwich at the special price of $5.99.
Jack In The Box blasts out ‘Mini Chimis’
JITB is collabbing with the release of the new Deadpool movie, offering Southwest Chicken Mini Chimichangas. (See photo, top of page.) They’re officially nicknamed ‘Mini Chimi Bang Bangs’ in a nod to the film. Available as Original or Sauced & Loaded versions, in 3-piece orders, in special Deadpool packaging, for a limited time, of course…
Carl’s Jr. joins ‘Value Meal’ movement
Following the lead of McDonald’s and other major Fast Food chains, Carl’s Jr. has unveiled a new 2 for $6 Double Take mix-and-match deal.
It’s Carl’s answer to the universal demand from consumers for more food at a lower cost. Choose any two from a list of 6 regular menu items and pay just $6. Now through August 13, at participating locations.
Whataburger reprises Chicken Strip Burger
It’s officially called the Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Burger, and its coming back for the summer. It comprises three crispy fried Whatachick’n Strips, topped with spicy Buffalo Sauce and two slices of Monterey Jack cheese on a five-inch toasted bun. You get Buttermilk Ranch dressing on the side. A ‘Junior’ version is also available.
Hungry Howie’s partners with Deadpool
Hungry Howie’s has been around for 50 years and has more than 50 stores in 21 states. But it’s flown below our radar – until now.
The menu item that caught our attention? HH’s Pickle Bacon Ranch Pizza and Dill Pickle Flavored Crust. Yes… These guys are the masters of the flavoured crust pizza, with a dozen crust varieties on their permanent menu! The Pickle Bacon Ranch pie comes with your choice of crust.
Church’s Chicken embraces Chicken Wraps
It’s a first for the Chicken purveyor. And very late to the game. All three wraps feature a crispy Fried chicken tender. They come – initially at least – in three versions: Original; Spicy; and Halapeño Cheese Bombers. At $2.29 for one, two for $4, and six for $10, they’re an attractive deal. (Prices may vary by region.)
Beverages
Starbuck’s chills out with new energy drinks
The premium coffee guys are offering new energy drinks for summer. They’re part of the ‘hand-crafted’ menu, because each one is mixed specifically for you, while you wait. Choose from 3 featured flavours: Melon Burst; Tropical Citrus; and Frozen Tropical Citrus with Strawberry Purée. Also joining the summer menu, Caramel Vanilla Swirl Iced Coffee. Take note: A dollop of the new non-dairy vanilla sweet cream and a new non-dairy vanilla sweet cream cold foam can be added at your request…
SONIC pours Flavorista Faves
SONIC celebrates summer with 6 new quenchers: Classic Cruiser; Twisted Flamingo; Paradise Sunset; Rainbow Slush; Lemonade Cream Cooler; and Grape Escape.
Each is a custom blend of warm weather flavours. And they boast a host of bold, summery colours. They’re a SONIC mobile-app exclusive, starting this Monday, July 1…
Dunkin serves up summer caffeine kicks
Dunkin’s new Summer Menu additions include 4 seasional beverages, three with a caffeine kick. The chain’s new Breakfast selections are complemented by a new Cold Brew Coffee, a BonFire S’Mores Iced Coffee, an Iced Tea Lemonade and a Tornado Twister ‘Spark’d’ Energy drink.
Snacks
Panera unveils new Little Big Treat Menu
The 10-item collection includes new CinnaTops topped cinnamon rolls and new breakfast-targeted CinnaScrambles. The scrambles are a cinnamon roll topped with scrambled eggs and a slice of American (Processed) cheese. A Sausage version is also available. And… There are also three new, more conventional breakfast sandwiches!
McDonald’s Canada shakes out Ramen and Tzatziki
Flavouring dusts, that is. And they’re the ‘next generation’ of the product. Churros McShaker Fries and Masala McShaker Fries appeared back in May.
The seasonings are poured into a bag with the fries and given a good shake. Which explains why they’re called ‘McShakers’. The McShaker concept was first tried in Hong Kong back in 2005, and has since popped up in other countries… But not yet in the US.
Krispy Kreme decorates July 4th Collection
KK is already selling a special Independence Day doughnut collection, featuring specially decorated Original Glazed sinkers. Designs include red-white-and blue flags, bunting banner rosettes and fireworks motifs.
They’re patriotically names: Freedom Flag, Cotton Candy Sparkler, and Fireworks Cookies & Creme, respectively. ‘Fireworks’ is actually a filled version, stuffed with Cookies & Kreme.
Cheez-It collabs on… ‘Crispy Ranch’?
Not really. But the brand is partnering with Hidden Valley on a new Ranch-flavoured snack cracker. “We’ve seen fans mixing up their own blend of ranch seasoning-dusted Cheez-It crackers on social media, so we knew creating the perfect blend of cheezy and zesty flavors together was essential to satisfying their cravings,” Cheez-It Sr. Brand Director Cara Tragseiler said in a statement.
7-Eleven bakes up Cherry Slurpee Twinkies
Well… Hostess makes ’em, of course. But it’s an exclusive collab between the food-focused convenience chain and the big-name baker.
The original ‘golden’ Twinkies cakes are filled with a special Cherry Slurpee-flavoured cream, and come 2 to a package. Available now through August 25, at all 7-Elevens across the US.
Novelties
McDonald’s UK Intros Vegan Ice Cream
McD’s UK has introduced new vegan ice cream. Not really ice cream, of course. But a, ‘deliciously smooth and creamy’ frozen dessert they’re calling the Vegan Scoop. Available (initially, at least) in Choco and Strawberry flavours, the Vegan Scoop has earned official vegan certification from the UK’s Vegetarian Society. No reports, yet, from folks who’ve tried it, about its ‘appeal rating’ …
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s likely to cause some of us go fully clothed onto the splash pad over the coming days and weeks! See you back here in 7 for the next record-breaking-hot edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.