The Valentine’s Day specials finally show up in force – and in head-to-head competition with the Super Bowl specials! On top of all that, we have big new product news from Wendy’s, Burger King and Taco Bell. And we have a bumper crop of Novelty Alerts from some major players…
Krispy Kreme intros new ‘mascots’ for Valentines 2022…
Wendy’s rolls out new Hot Honey Chicken sammy
Wendy’s presents, for your ooey-gooey dining pleasure, a new hot Honey Chicken Sandwich and a Hot Honey Chicken Biscuit – the first upgrades to its breakfast sandwich menu in two years.
The biscuit version is simply a hot honey-drenched breast fillet. The sandwich (on a bun) is somewhat more complex, including a spicy chicken breast, Pepper Jack cheese, three strips of bacon, crispy pickle chips, and that slosh of honey. It’s a limited-time deal, of course.
Burger King brings back Big King
BK is offering a streamlined version of its Big King for a limited time, starting next week (see photo, top of page). But BK Royal Perks members can order through the app now. The new Big King has been called a Big Mac clone, of sorts, with McDonald’s Big Mac and features two beef patties, two pickles, two onion slices, lettuce, two slices of American cheese, and Stacker sauce on a toasted sesame seed bun. It’s a big mouthful, at an attractive price.
Taco Bell intros Cantina Crispy Chicken Taco
The new taco, folded into a soft flour tortilla, includes: either Creamy Chipotle sauce or Avocado Ranch on crispy chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese.
You can get it on its own or in the Cantina Crispy Chicken Taco Deluxe Box deal, which features a Cantina Crispy Chicken Taco, a Chalupa Supreme, a Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, a crunchy taco, and medium fountain drink. By my calculations, that feeds a family of four. Or one high school football linebacker.
Buffalo Wild Wings goes into overtime
BWW is offering free wings if Super Bowl 56 in Los Angeles goes into overtime. If the big games finishes regulation time in a tie and a playoff is required, anybody in the U.S. or Canada can redeem six free boneless or traditional wings on February 28 from 4 – 7 p.m. The offer is available via dine-in or takeout only, and no purchase is necessary. How many BWW locations can you hit between 4 and 7 p.m.?
Subway opens the NFL vault
Subway is offering a new ‘The Vault’ lineup, in timely coordination with Superbowl 56. The special menu includes: Russell Wilson’s Dangerwich; Marshawn Lynch’s Beef Mode; and Trevor Lawrence’s Sunshine Sub.
The Vault is described as a dynamic menu, which will rotate new subs in and out on a regular basis. The inaugural special subs are avaiulable only via Subway.com and the Subway app.
Krispy Kreme unveils Valentine’s Day collection
KK has recruited two new Valentine’s mascots – a Bear and a Bee. And they’re ushering in four new heart-shaped doughnuts for the occasion: the Beary Best Valentine’s Doughnut; the Bee Mine; the Cookie To My Cream; and the My Batter Half. Details at the KK website… You get a mixed dozen featuring 3 each of all four doughnuts in a special Valentine’s box that includes two pop-out Valentine’s Day cards.
Novelty Alert! KFC puffs up a Sandwich Snuggler
It’s a huge pillow in the shape of KFC’s Chicken Breast Sandwich. Not sure what you do with a pillow that looks m,ore like an ottoman – pushing a metre / 3 ft. across and almost as tall.
Does anybody remember the Beanbag Chair? Anyway, it’s a hefty (US)$99.99 from Pillow Pets. Available for pre-order now. Not exactly a Valentine’s Day-themed deal – but it does promote snuggling!
Novelty Alert! Shake Shack, Door Dash collab
It’s not a menu item. But you can use the new Dating App to send a sandwich to your chosen cutie. You just visit the Eat Cute app, build your Chicken Sandwich preferences profile, and start tapping the flame icon to display possible matches. when you find Ms or Mr. Right, you get access to a free sandwich coupon you can send them. All participants have a chance to win a $5,000 Door Dash gift certificate, good for , “all the Shake Shack Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches their heart desires.” It’s a limited time deal, of course, (now through February 14) and coordinated with Valentine’s Day.
Novelty Alert! Hormel launches Chili Cheese Keg
It’s a beer-keg-shaped metal can with a draft beer-style pump dispenser, designed to make it easier for you to dress your Hormel Chili with melted cheese. Definitely a cold-weather concept. Perfect, they note, for your Super Bowl party.
The pump releases 4 oz. / 120 ml of melted cheese per pull – and the keg contains nearly 300 servings. The cheese stays warm and fluid via a proprietary internal heating system. Visit the special website now through tomorrow night to enter the Tap Into Greatness contest. Hormel says, yes, the cheese keg will arrive on the winner’s doorstep in time for the Super Bowl.
Deals Alert! National Frozen Yogurt Day
Be sure to check your frozen yogurt vendor of choice for deals tomorrow, February 6. It’s National Frozen Yogurt Day, and lots of retailers, large and small, will be offering creamy, tasty specials.
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s going to be making some of us a little fatter through Valentines Day and Super Bowl 56. See you back here in 7 for the next edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.