Big news from the Fast Food Sphere this week! There’s a new Soda War between ‘Freestyle’ Coke and ‘Crafted’ Pepsi. And the MAINS category is cookin’ – with Cheesesteaks, and Sliders and Pizzas – Oh, My!
The rundown…
Be sure to get the details of LaClare Creamery’s new Ube Goat Cheese, and new Hello Kitty Musubi Edition SPAM!
MAINS
Arby’s stacks new Angus Cheesesteak
It’s a glorious celebration of the Philadelphia classic, featuring Arby’s slow-roasted Angus beef top-ped with thick-cut caramelized onions and American Cooper Cheese, on an Amoroso sesame seed sub roll. The latter two special touches are de rigeur on the classic, original Philly Cheesesteak…
Fans take note: Arby’s is giving away 100,000 free Angus Cheeseteaks now through the summer, while supplies last. But you have to be an Arby’s Rewards member and make a purchase of $10 or more to qualify. Text ‘STEAK’ to 27297 to unlock the offer.
White Castle adds new Sliders for summer
The slider King has rolled out a new Garlic Parm Chicken Slider featuring a crispy-fried breaded white-meat chicken patty, crispy-fried onions, and creamy roasted garlic parm sauce. There’s also a new Southwest Veggie Slider, starring ‘a crispy-fried Dr. Praeger’s veggie patty’ featuring smoky chipotle and sweet BBQ flavors, topped with a slice of Jalapeño cheese. The Veggie Slider is a perm-anent menu addition!
Buffalo Wild Wings mixes up special World Cup flavours
The extensive menu revolves around 6 exclusive internationally-themed Heinz sauces. There’s also an Around the World Sampler – pairing the dipping sauces with a choice of four shareable appetizers; and an Around the World Dipper Bundle, pairing Chicken dippers (classic or spicy) and fries with all six Heinz sauces. And don’t miss the two new soccer-themed cocktails or the 100‑ounce Michelob Ultra Beer Tower!
PizzaPizza kicks off FIFA fever across Canada
… With Dip Cup Nations and Pitch Party Pizza. The Dips offer a lineup of 48+ combinations, inviting customers to mix and match PizzaPizza’s iconic dipping sauces. The Pitch Party Pizza, “turns any gathering into a tabletop soccer experience.”
For $26, you get, “a party-size cheese pizza, two 500 mL drinks, two mini soccer nets, and a custom pizza box designed as a miniature pitch.” Both deals are available for a limited time, over the World Cup ‘season’…
Tim Horton’s brings crunch, crackle and pop to summer
The Coffee-and-everything purveyor is adding new Poppin’ Frozen Quenchers for summer. The icy, creamy drinks bring, “a whole new dimension of crackle and pop to beverages,” with popping candies that are blended throughout and heaped on top.” The new Crispy Chicken Sandwich is described as, “a crispy patty made with 100 per cent seasoned chicken breast, plus tomato, lettuce and mayo on a pillowy potato bun.” At participating Tim’s locations in Canada, for a limited time, while supplies last.
BEVERAGES
Coca-Cola updating its ‘Freestyle’ fountains
The fizzy beverage giant is updating its Freestyle soda fountains with both a new, expanded selection of flavours and an all-new dispenser. The new Equinox user interface, launching on June 23 in the US, puts, “unique and limited-time drinks front and center,” the official news release boasts. At the same time,. McDonald’s, Coke’s biggest world-wide partner – is launching its own new AI-enhanced Coke products dispensers. Which one will fans like best?
Pepsi pours new House of Treats ‘crafted beverages’
They’re more than just sweet and fizzy – and they’re meant to challenge the new specialty drinks recently introduced by McDonald’s, Taco Bell and SONIC.
“The new machines also include a lineup of unique flavor profiles beyond the standard Pepsi Drips combinations, such as Yuzu Lychee and White Peach Sangria, andoptions such as ‘dirty’ sodas. Coming soon to cinemas, stadiums, restaurants, and live events near you!
Classic A&W Rootbeer Float returns for summer
it’s been a cornerstone of he A&W menu since the chain fist opened its door – and now it’s back for summer 2026. “”There is something magical about the connection Canadians have with our Root Beer Floats,” says Susan Senecal, CEO and President of A&W Canada. “They are woven into the fabric of Canadian summers. […] We’re excited to revive this tradition today, inviting both long-time fans and a new generation to enjoy this timeless treat together.”
DESSERTS & SNACKS
SAVOURY
Burger King and Pringles team on Sour Cream & Onion
The Burger and Chips giants are collabbing on a rare but ultimately huge crossover: Sour Cream & Onion Chips-flavoured Chicken Fries. “We knew Pringles Sour Cream & Onion was already iconic, so it only made sense to give it a new home on Burger King Chicken Fries,” said Beth Brushett, Senior Brand Activation Manager for Pringles at Kellanova. The catch? They’e only available at participating BK locations and through the BK app, across the UK. Yet another menu item we want here, in North America!
Hot Pockets go bite-sized with new Snack Breaks
They’re kicking off the product launch with 5 variations of the new eat-along treat: Gooey Apple Pie; Ultimate Cheddar; Spicy Jalapeño Popper; Melty Nacho Beef; and Cheesy Stuffed Pretzel with Bacon.
The Gooey Apple Pies are already on store shelves, in special red, white and blue packaging, in ad-vance of the 4th of July. The other flavours will follow soon thereafter.
Late July pairs Pickles and Lemonade
It’s a clever teaming of two summer favourites: Pickles and Lemonade, in a new corn chip. It’s a nat-ural… Surveys reveal more than half of American consumers have tried pickle-flavoured snacks, and Pickle lemonade has been showing up at fairs, in restaurants, and on social media across the country.
SWEET
McDonald’s revives Original Apple Pie
It took 34 years, but the burger behemoth is bringing back its celebrated, pioneering Fried Apple Pie. The first-of-its kind dessert took fans by storm when it first appeared. But the ‘standard’ apple pie has changed over the years – the biggest alteration being, it’s now baked, not fried. Fans are ecstatic that their beloved crispy, flaky fried crust is back…
NOVELTIES
SPAM and Hello Kitty partner on Musubi Edition
SPAM is beloved worldwide, but especially in Asia and the Philippines. Trust SPAM to discover and capitalize on the Japanese fad food, SPAM Musubi…
Join the fun as Kitty takes the ‘Tour de Sizzle’ – a global romp exploring regional SPAM creations. Fans can access prizes, limited-edition merch, and other digital experiences through June 23.
Wendy’s celebrates new Minions movie with Adult Meals
The guys with the square patties are offering special limited-edition Minions Meals featuring Minions packaging. Choose either a Spicy Chicken Sandwich or Big Bacon Classic as he foundation for your meal, and get fries, a drink, a new Banana Frosty Swirl, and a special ‘blind-boxed’ collectable. You won’t know which one you’re getting until you open it…
Wisconsin creamery does Ube Goat Cheese
Sounds wild, but LaClare Creamery’s new Ube Goat Cheese blends two of the world’s most-loved ‘swavoury’ flavours in a single, spreadable purple treat. Official serving suggestions span everything from salads and bagels to desserts and smoothies… La Clare says the new specialty item should appeal to everyone – not just Filipinos, who ‘invented’ Ube…
EVENTS
Consumer Reports reveals additives, contaminants in Snacks
The renowned consumer protection organization has released the results of a new survey of your fave snacks… revealing that over one-third of 40 products tested contained more than the govern-ment-recommended safe quantity of at least one additive or contaminant.
“There’s a significant gap in US regulatory oversight of the food safety system [here], which is why this kind of project and investigation is so important,” Brian Ronholm, Director of Food Policy for Consumer Reports, says.
Pizza Hut brings back Book It!
The beloved kids’ summer reading program is back for 2026. Kids can register to earn Personal Pan Pizzas by reaching their reading goals. Parents set the goals and confirm the kids did the work. Visit bookitprogram.com for program details and to register your K to Grade 6 children….
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s going to be making some of us a little more-creatively hydrated in the days and weeks to come. See you back here in 7 for the next temperature record-setting edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.