No NOVELTIES or EVENTS to report this week. We-re into the infamous Dog Days of summer, and the Fast Food Sphere’s marketing folks have kicked back to relax. But there’s a near-record roster of new and returning MAINS that demanded to be heard from!
The rundown…
Notable fan faves returning this week included Panda Express’s Hot Orange Chicken, and Papa John’s Pepperoni Stuffed Pizza Crust!
MAINS
Hot Orange Chicken back at Panda Express
One of the chain’s all-time faves is back, for a limited time engagement around National Orange Chicken Day (July 15). Original Orange Chicken is the Panda’s most popular dish by far, accounting for one out of every three entrées sold. Last year alone. the chain dished out 148 million lb of the stuff!
Carl’s Jr unveils Spicy Chicken Maxx
Carl’s Jr is featuring a new Spicy Chicken Max sammy. It’s described as: two crispy-fried chicken pat-ties, a slice of pepper jack cheese, a slice of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo on a toasted bun. Yes, that’s TWO chicken patties. It’s a limited-time offering, of course…
Papa John’s brings back Pepperoni Stuffed Crust
It’s kind of like two pizzas in one: Pepperoni Stuffed Crust is back – after a 2-year hiatus – at Papa John’s…
The Epic Pepperoni-Stuffed Crust Pizza first appeared, for a limited time, in 2022. Then came back around in the rotation in 2023. Now the fan fave pie is finally back again…
McDonald’s pours Caesars…
McD’s is pouring Caesar Dressing on its new Bacon Caesar McCrispy; Caesar Snack Wrap; and McCrispy Strips with Caesar Sauce. The chain discontinued its salads some time back, but never forgot how much fans loved its Caesar dressing. It’s described as, ‘a creamy blend of rich Parmesan, zesty lemon, and bold garlic flavors’. You can also get it à la carte for dipping anything.
… Adds Honey Brown breakfast Biscuits
McD’s has quietly added 2 new Honey Brown biscuits to its breakfast menu: the Honey Brown Butter Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit (pictured top of page); and the Honey Brown Butter Chicken Biscuit. The real news is the new sauce on top: a brown butter honey drizzle that would, IMHO, make any savoury breakfast concoction taste even better.
Shake Shack débuts a new West Coast Menu
… Which includes a new West Coast Burger; a West Coast Chicken Sandwich; and West Coast Loaded Fries. SS is also bring back its truly monumental Big Shack…
Fans with huge appetites will recall, this one (pictured above) is a sort of Big Mac challenger, with two beef patties, three decks of the Shack’s signature potato bun, American (processed) cheese, lettuce, Roma tomatoes, onions, pickles, and Secret Sauce.
SIDES
Buffalo Wild Wings pops ‘Savoury Candy’
BWW has scooped the opposition – everybody, really – releasing Poppin’ Ranch Savoury Popping Candy. It’s described as a ‘savory ranch popping candy’ that you’re supposed to sprinkle on top of your wings. “It’s an unexpected sensory experience that sounds wild, tastes delicious, and has to be experienced to be believed,” according to Buffalo Wild Wings’ Brand President, Tristan Meline.
Popeye’s reprises Cheese Bites
The Louisianna Kitchen is once again frying up its beloved Cheese Bites, for a limited time. The dish consists of batter-fried white cheddar curds with Marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
They’re officially a side, but some folks make a special trip just for an order (or two) of them…
BEVERAGES
A&W brings back Lemonade Shake
The unique, beloved Lemonade Shake is back, for a limited time, at A&W. Think of it as a sort of drinkable lemon-flavoured, creamsicle… The silky sipper starts with A&W’s signature vanilla soft serve, blends it with sweet lemonade, and tops it with traditional whipped cream and a cherry.
SNACKS
SALTY
Doritos NKD adds Dinamita Chili Limón
Doritos Simply NKD line adds Dinamita Chili Limón (chili lime) flavour to it’s roster, along with Doritos Nacho Cheese, Doritos Cool Ranch, Original Cheetos and Cheetos Flamin’ Hot. The ‘NKD’ in the name stands for ‘naked’, as in dye-free…
“Dinamita Simply NKD Chile Limón was developed for snack lovers who want it all—a bold, layered flavor experience made without any artificial dyes or flavors,” Jess Spaulding, Doritos Vice President of Marketing said in a news release.
SWEET
Baskin-Robbins intros Brookie Batter…
The new Ice cream flavour has ‘everything chocolate’ but Willy Wonka’s kitchen sink: starting with a mix of brown sugar- and brownie batter-flavored ice creams, blended with Oreo cookie pieces, cho-colate chip cookie dough, brownie dough, and brownie batter-flavored swirls. My sweet tooth aches just reading that…
… Brings back S’Mores ice cream
What would summer be without S’Mores – and B-R’s S’Mores ice cream? The classic-themed treat blends toasted marshmallow- and graham-flavored ice creams with Oreo cookie pieces and cho-colate cookie swirls. That’s a deluxe S’More by any campfire aficionado’s estimation!
Krispy Kream celebrates GS Cookie time
KK has rolled out it’s annual tribute to Girl Scout Cookie season. The 20206 GSC Collection features three special sinkers inspired by GSC flavours:
Thin Mint; Lemon-Up, and Coconut Caramel. Get ’em individually or by the dozen. They’re also at selected retailers in a six-pack that includes three Thin Mints Donuts and three Original Glazed.
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s going to be making some of our muffin tops bulge a little more over the coming days and weeks. See you back here in 7 for the next ‘cook-it-on-your-dashboard’ edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.