Another record-breaking edition of Fast Food Week! And every entry a must-read for the grab-and-go set. Headlined by a biggest-yet volley of Value Meal Deals. And shining a spotlight on the launch of McDonald’s ‘better value’ Big Arch Burger…
The final, ‘release’ version of the new Big Arch Burger. Released in Canada this past week…
The rundown…
The brisk breath of Fall is in the air. And the seasonal menu shift is in full swing across the Fast Food community…
Mains
McD’s new Big Arch Burger is finally here…
And ‘here’ is Canada. For now, at least. How refreshing to be first in line for a change, for a much-hyped new menu item! The Big Arch features 2 quarter-pound beef patties, three slices of white (processed) cheddar cheese, two kinds of onions and a new ‘tangy’ Archy Sauce. We took a detailed look at the sandwich that may become an instant classic back on ‘drop day’, August 27. Meanwhile …
… And the Chicken Big Mac is coming back
The Chicken Big Mac has a unique cult following. And that community is all a-flutter over its return to the US. The towering bite shares the same ‘basic build’ as the classic beef BM, with three bun slices, two chicken patties and the usual toppings – including classic Big Mac Sauce.
McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski says the Original Big Mac is, “the perfect sandwich […] although, chicken is now going to try to give it a run for its money.”
Taco Bell ditching breakfast at some locations
“Taco Bell is constantly evolving our menu to better serve our franchisees, team members, and fans,” the chain told USA Today. “With that said, breakfast will continue to be served in the majority of Taco Bell [company-owned] restaurants.” Franchisees now have the right to ‘opt out’ of serving breakfast, if they choose. Nevertheless, the Bell insists, the breakfast menu’s, ”performance continued to improve through Q2 2024.”
Wendy’s hauls out Saucy Nuggs Party Pack
Another release just in time for the start of the NFL season… Intended as an assist for tailgaters and living room viewing parties.
You get 45-50 nuggets in a big bucket, tossed with your choice of sauce, with cool, creamy Buttermilk Ranch or Blue Cheese dipping sauce on the side.
Pizza Hut reprises popular AYCE Buffet
The Hut is bringing back it’s hugely popular All You Can Eat lunch buffet to kick off its fall season. But there’s a catch… Many Hut locations these days no longer have a dining room. So call your local spot to confirm availability, rules and procedures. And prepare to dig into the salad bar, an array of pizza options, pastas, garlic bread sticks, and even cinnamon sticks for dessert.
Checker’s and Rally launch ‘best ever’ meal deal
The Fast Food tag team duo is at it again. They’ve rolled out what they say is their best ever meal deal. It’s a ‘fat’ menu for a slim price:
The 5 For $5 Deal includes either a Cheese Double Burger or a Spicy Chicken Sandwich, 8 Chicken Bites, a small order of Seasoned Fries, a 16 oz. fountain drink and a cinnamon-dusted apple pie for dessert. Maybe the best Value Wars deal yet!
Casey’s brings back its Waffle Breakfast Sammy
It’s formally known as the Ultimate Waffle Breakfast Sandwich. And it features bacon strips, a sausage patty, and ‘fluffy’ eggs served between two warm maple waffles. Literally a ‘tall’ order. And you can also get it with cheese. It would be my undisputed go-to breakfast-to-go – if only we could get it in Canada…
Sides
Hot Pockets unveils new BBQ Sauce
Specially formulated to complement the BBQ Beef version of its titular snack, Hot Pockets is now shipping a new Smoky, Tangy and Sweet BBQ Sauce. Just in time for the football season.
It comes in what looks like a re-purposed baby food jar – for many, a single serving presentation – and is claimed to be ‘perfect for tailgating’. Of course, you can dip anything you want into it, as your fancy may dictate!
Wing Stop pours Sweet BBQ Blaze
Wing Stop – the guys who go crazy with sauces and seasonings – are offering a new one for summer. It’s ‘Sweet BBQ Blaze’. And as the name suggests, it’s spicy – but just a 2 out of 5 on the heat scale; well within the ‘mass appeal’ range. It’s described as a,”sweet, smoky, and unexpected flavor,” ins-pired by the Kansas City and Nashville traditions.
Beverages
McD’s turns on the Pumpkin Spice Latté tap
It’s back. A surely as the birds are flying south, McDonald’s beloved Pumpkin Spice Latté is back. McD’s Pumpkin and Creme Pie is also officially back.
Alas, McD’s says. “The […] Pie is a regional menu offering, currently [only] available in participating local markets for a limited time.” Check your local outlet. Ask the manager, if you have to.
Snacks and Desserts
Reese’s releases Chocolate Lava Big Cup
Reese’s lovers already adore the Big Cup version of the iconic peanut butter and chocolate treat. But now there’s a new, upscale version – featuring a ‘pool’ of chocolate syrup under the PC filling. The CLBC is available now, in standard and King Size Big Cups, at the usual outlets everywhere. You can also order from the Hershey’s online store.
Goldfish and Hello Kitty – together again
The cracker and the cat are dancing together again, bringing back one of the most popular Goldfish special flavours ever. Goldfish Hello Kitty Strawberry Shortcake Flavored Grahams are here…
… to celebrate the Kitty’s 50th (can you believe it?) anniversary. Mike Fanelli, Senior Director of Marketing for Goldfish, calls the birthday, “a monumental milestone for the global icon.”
Hostess launches Fall special-treats menu
The original cupcake folks – home of the Twinkie – have revealed their fall seasonal specials for 2024. Get Hostess Pumpkin Spice-filled Twinkies, Vanilla-iced Pumpkin cupcakes or Maple-Glazed Mini Doughnuts. The Hallowe’en menu includes FrankenCakes, Spooky Twinkies and Scary Cakes…
Novelties
Less-mess burger débuts in LA
Glendale, CA, food truck Less Mess Burgers has hatched a new idea to make eating gloopy-delicious burgers less messy on-the-go. They’ve come up with what you might think is a mismatched set of top and bottom burger buns.
The bottom one is considerably bigger. And naturally forms brim when the LMB team seals the edges in its proprietary press. What a great idea! Especially since their burgers are signature-sloppy…
Walmart + Burger King join membership forces
McDonald’s closed most of its in-store Walmart locations a couple of years back. At the beginning of this year, Starbuck’s moved in. And now, Walmart has struck a deal to ‘tie the knot’ between its Walmart+ membership plan and Burger King’s loyalty program. We explored the ins and outs of the deal earlier in the week…
New automated nugget dipper for gamers
It’s an obvious nod to the current fad for gamer-assisting oddities. “We know that 75% of Heinz lovers wish they [could] dip sauces while gaming. Hum Hum is our irrational act of love to our gamer consumers’ irrational love for Heinz,” said Passant El Ghannam, head of marketing at Kraft Heinz.
HumHum obviously hums while it works, with a fork-tipped robotic arm spearing and dipping nuggets on demand. And even refilling its dipping cups as needed…
Snickers consults an NFL ‘chocomancer’
The mysterious oracle is influencer Jennifer Bullock, a self-described, “writer, author, eclectic witch, and fortuneteller.” She’ll be guiding Snickers in its effort to predict where your fave NFL team is headed throughout the coming season. ” Martin Terwilliger, Marketing Marketing VP of Mars Wrigley explains, “We hope that the fun and wonder of making some season predictions, paired with the deliciousness of Snickers, brings a little extra satisfaction to fans through the season ahead.”
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s going to be sitting irresistibly on the coffee table as the fall football season blossoms on our widescreens – and making some of us a little less athletic over the days and weeks to come. See you back here in 7 for the next high-yield edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.