Summer’s busting out all over at Fast Food Week! The vast majority of items we deemed noteworthy this week are tuned for the lazy-hazy season. Hardee’s, Shake Shack and Jersey Mike’s are all in the race to July 4th! And Nathan’s Famous has a new, luxe all-beef hot Dog!
Hardee’s luxe Prime Rib Menu is back!
The rundown…
They’re back! Wendy’s Sweet and Sour Dipping Sauce, and Hardee’s Triple Berry drinks, that is. Krispy Kreme has yet another special ‘themes’ Collection. And Litle Caesar’s is launching drone delivery!
MAINS
Hardee’s brings back the Prime Rib Menu
The beloved, luxe Prime Rib Menu is back at Hardee’s – for a limited time. The selection includes: the Prime Rib Burrito; the Prime Rib Biscuit sandwich; and the legendary Prime Rib Burger. The PR menu is back in concert with the launch of the new Star Spangled Biscuit, and the return of the Triple Berry beverage line…
Jersey Mike’s elevates nachos…
Jersey Mike’s has called out all the other Nacho purveyors, with its new, viral Philly Cheesesteak-inspired version. The basket-borne chip-based treat is described as, “an iteration of a Philly cheese-steak (aka the #17 at Jersey Mike’s) piled atop a bed of chips, and topped with jalapeño peppers, banana peppers, and chipotle mayo.” It’s more of a meal than a snack (which is where most Nachos belong). And that’s why it here, in the MAINS section at FFW!
Shake Shack trolls McD’s with Rib Sammy
Move over, McRib. The crazy folks at Shake shack have you in their sights. They’ve launched a new BBQ Boneless Baby Back Rib Sandwich – an all-new item on the Shack’s returning seasonal BBQ Menu.
The boneless ribs are REAL ribs, hand-deboned, marinated in Apple Cider Vinegar BBQ blend, and cooked for 9 hours. The real deal. They’re served on the Shack’s signature potato bun, topped simply with smoky BBQ sauce, coleslaw, and pickles…
Nathan’s Famous débuts all-new, 100% Grass Fed Beef Dogs
The name that invented Hot Dogs as we know them today, back in 1916, has made another possibly historic announcement. Nathan’s has never been one to join in debates about the healthfulness of Hot Dogs. In fact, most brands are nutritional disasters, even those made from chicken and turkey. But now, the Famous Original is coming out with a ‘gourmet’ Dog made from 100% Grass Fed Beef.
According to one reviewer, the new Dog, “combines the brand’s iconic secret recipe with grass-fed beef, the result is a more ‘ingredient-forward’ dog that has the same garlicky and paprika flavors you know and love—but with a slightly more premium feel.” Nathan’s Famous new Dogs are now availale at major retailers nationwide…
SIDES
Wendy’s reprises Sweet and Sour Dipping Sauce
The popular dip has been off the menu for months, since the launch of the chain’s Chicken Tenders. Now it’s back for a limited time, as an inclusion with Wendy Chicken Nuggets and Tenders, and can be an add-on for other menu items. The best news for S&S lovers is, there’s an official Wendy’s Insta-gram post up asking if you’d like to see the sauce return permanently. Just visit the post and comment in the affirmative to weigh in…
BEVERAGES
McDonald’s taps its CosMc’s drinks legacy
McDonald’s said it terminated the CosMc’s experiment because it has learned all it needed to know. One discovery was that beverage diversification will be key to Fast Food success in the future. Now it’s pouring 5 new refreshers and dirty sodas for summer.
The refreshers come in Strawberry Watermelon, Mango Pineapple and Blackberry Passion Fruit. The Sodas focus on Coke brand bevs. You can try the returning Sprite Berry Blast, the HI-C Orange-based Orange Dream, or the Dirty Dr Pepper…
Liquid x Pop-Tarts = Frosted Strawberry ‘Carnage’
The beverage renegade has partnered with Pop-Tarts – of all pairings! – to bring you a Frosted Strawberry Iced Tea for summer 2026. Pop-Tarts Carnage is described as containing caffeine and B vitamins, but no artificial sweeteners. But it is a ‘lower-sugar’ formula. And it’s Black. The limited-edition flavour is available now on Amazon in 6-packs for (US)$8.99 and 12-packs for $16.99, while supplies last.
Dunkin’s adds 17 new menu items
The doughnut chain is kick-starting summer with 17 new menu items. The panoramic selection in-cludes: new Refreshers, a new Limeade, an Oreo coffee collab. The line also offers the chain’s first-ever Coffee Chillers and Dirty Sodas, plus two fruit punch-flavored donuts. The sodas are now available in selected Taco Bell and McDonald’s locations. And they’re also available at retail under the PepsiCo banner.
MUG Root Beer adds protein punch
The Root Beer powerhouse is now pouring a new protein-bolstered brew that comes in a kit. Yes… Some assembly IS required…
The MUG Brotein Kit includes: a 12 oz / 355 ml can of MUG Zero Sugar, a Vanilla Protein Shake, and a MUG logo-fied Shaker/drinking bottle some ‘gym essentials’. Available now at Walmart.com, while supplies last, and appearing at retailers US-wide soon…
Hardee’s brings back Triple Berry drinks
The whole gang is back, including: Triple Berry Tea, a Triple Berry Sparkler, and a Triple Berry Shake. It’s part of a summer triple-header which also includes Hardee’s ultra-patriotic Star Spangled Biscuit and the returning Prime Rib Menu. Available now, for a limited time, at participating locations…
DESSERTS AND SNACKS
SALTY
Lay’s named Official Chip of FIFA World Cup 2026
Lay’s is bagging special flavours for World Cup 2025. The doyenne of US chip makers, Lays, is cele-brating being named the official Chip of the big FIFA tourney with three new limited-time flavours. They include: Argentinian‑Style Steak with Chimichurri; Brazilian‑Style Garlic Sauce; and Wavy French Onion Soup. Those countries are among the favourites in the month-long series of playdowns…
SWEET
Nilla brings Grogu ‘Nummies’ to Star Wars fans
the new Mandeloria-series film The Mandelorian and Grogu is coming to cinemas May 22. And Nilla Wafers is launching a limited-time Nummie that one reviewer reports, “features the classic taste of a Nilla cookie, reimagined in an oval shape inspired by Grogu’s cookie of choice”.
And, yes… They’re green. The special-edition Grogu Nilla Nummies are available at retailers nationwide, for $4.29 per 11 oz pack.
Krispy Kreme adds Milk Bar-inspired Collection
These guys just can’t seem to stop rolling out theme-inspired sinkers! On the heels of the Spring 2026 Collection, they’re revealed a new 4-doughnut special grouping based on favourites from the ancient and venerable Milk Bar bakery. Try: the new Birthday Cake Donut, the new ‘Compost Cookie’ Donut, the new New Milk Bar Pie Donut. Get 3 of each plus 3 original Glazed in the Krispy Kreme x Milk Bar dozen pack. Available now at participating KK locations.
Hardee’s adds Star Spangled Biscuits
The 4th of July is still some time off… But Hardee’s is celebrating early with new Star Spangled Bis-cuits. (See photo, top of page.) They’re described as star-shaped biscuits studded with red and blue sprinkles and triple berry flavours. And they’re finished with a spiral of white icing… They’re he for a limited time, in coordination with the return of Hardee’s Prime Rib Menu and the Triple Berry drinks selection.
EVENTS
Little Caesar’s launches drone delivery
Little Caesar’s often waits to see how innovations in its niche work out for competitors before jumping into the fray. But the chain is conducting a full-service test in Texas, in a partnership with drone maker FLYTREX.
The 8-rotor Sky2 flyers can deliver up to 8.8 lb of food within a 4.4 mile / 7.0 km radius. And they can be at your doorstep in as little as 4.5 minutes. If the chain doesn’t run into the issues that have plagued other drone delivery operations, it will be rolled out across the land…
Starbuck’s tests ChatGPT AI drink customization
The reborn, revamped premium coffee chain is testing some new, very personal tech. It’s a ChatGPT5-powered app that lets picky customers customize their next bev based on their mood, their cravings, even their outfit or the weather. And the more you use it, the more it learns about your preferences. You can even upload photos to help Chat perfect your quaff.
“Over the past year, one thing has become clear: customers aren’t always starting with a menu. They’re starting with a feeling,” Paul Riedel, Senior VP, Digital and Loyalty at Starbucks, said in a statement. “We wanted to meet customers right at that moment of inspiration and make it easier than ever to find a drink that fits.”
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s going to be making some of us a little less summer wardrobe-worthy over the coming days and weeks. See you back here in 7 for the next ‘ice cream weather’ edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.