A predictably quiet week on the Fast Food Front. It’s mid-summer, and the big ‘summer’ news is in the middle of playing itself out… But there are some notable – perhaps even remarkable- announcements, events and menu-item comebacks on the slate…
The rundown…
Peach Cobbler Moon Pies, Starbuck’s Unicorn Frappuccinos, and Burger King’s ‘have it your way’ culture – all coming back to the Fast Foodsphere…
MAINS
Checkers and Rally’s reprise, update $4 Meals
The Siamese twins of the Burger sector are bringing back $4 Unbeatable Meal Deal and updating the menu. The star of the show is a new Loaded Tender Wrap. You can also opt for a Classic Burger, or a Spicy Chicken Sandwich. All meals come with an 8-piece order of Chicken Bites, ‘value-sized’ Famous Seasoned Fries, and a small fountain drink.
Burger King testing Grilled Chicken
We don’t usually cover ‘test marketing’ menu releases here at the FFB. But this one sounds really big. Burger King is testing a whole slate of new grilled chicken entrées at selected California locations. And it looks like the ‘have it your way’ folks are coming for McDonald’s and Wendy’s, who have al-ready jumped on the grilled (not fried/breaded) chicken bandwagon.
The test roster contains three sandwiches and three wraps. Unlike most menu item tests, this one seems to be a pre-launch exercise to fine tune grilled chicken items BK has already decided to re-lease chain-wide on the permanent menu…
Taco Bell unveils new Melty Pepper Jack Steak Burrito
The name is as much of a mouthful as the little burro… The MPJSB starts with marinated grilled steak, and adds new Pepper Jack sauce, seasoned rice, a melted 3-cheese blend (mozzarella, cheddar, and pep-per jack), and sour cream, wrapped up in a warm flour tortilla.
It’s a full-sized, meal-sized MAIN. And there’s also a A Fresca Pepper Jack Steak Burrito, featuring Spicy Ranch dressing.
SIDES
Best Peanut Butter in the world?
Peanut Butter is a foundation store of the Universal Church Of the Blessed Snack. It’s everywhere in Snackdom – in both the savoury and sweet realms – and it’s an ingredient in the most iconic hand-to-mouth treats on sale today. Now, the annual Superior Taste Awards has named Supernuts Peanut Butter Crunch, from South Korea, the best PB in the world. Not availalble outside SK yet, but the STA accolade may trigger broader market outreach.
SNACKS
SWEET
Welch’s Coming for Uncrustables!
… With three new crust-free ‘pocket’ PB&J sammys that are 50 percent bigger than than the compet-ition. The legendary Grape Jelly maker has introduced its new line in three flavours: Strawberry Jam, Concord Grape Jelly and Mixed Fruits Spread. Each contains 6 g of fibre, twice that delivered by Uncrustables.
Andrew Hartshorn, Chief Brand and Innovation Officer at Welch’s says they asked consumers what they wanted in a PB&J. “They wanted a bigger sandwich for bigger appetites, one that actually fills them up.” And they wanted added protein. So that’s what they got.
Domino’s rolls out S’Mores Lava Cakes
The combo seems unlikely t fist. But on closer examination, makes perfect sense. Lava cakes ooze chocolate goo; S’Mores ooze melted marshmallow and chocolate. B’MLCs are built on a baked graham cracker crust, with gooey chocolatey chip and marshmallow fillings, and dusted with powdered sugar. You get three of the little 2-bite-sized goodies per order. And you can mix your order up to include Domino’s regular signature Chocolate Lava Cakes.
Cold Stone stuffs an Ice Cream Taco
Cold Stone Creamery is partnering with OREO and Reese’s on something they call the Oreo & Reese’s Cookies ‘n’ Peanut Butter Ice Cream Taco. It’s described as a waffle ‘taco’ shell filled with limited-time Cookies ‘n’ Peanut Butter Ice Cream (made with Oreo and Reese’s), topped with chocolate, crushed OREO cookies, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Sauce.
All that’s missing is the kitchen sink… One point of note… The thing is selling for $10.99 in ‘premium markets such as LA and NYC. How MUCH do you love OREOs and Reese’s Pieces?
Peach Cobbler Moon Pies are back!
The legendary marshmallow sandwich treat is back, for a limited time, in ‘mini’ format. Peach Cobbler is acknowledged as the fans all-time fave, but it’s been absent from the menu for some time… The confection features Moon Pie’s classic graham cracker cookies and marshmallow filling, but the sand-wich is enrobed in a special Peach-flavoured coating. They’re a great way to celebrate Peach Season, which is now in full swing. At Walmart and other selected retailers, as we write…
NOVELTIES
Unicorns a reality at Starbuck’s
The legendary Unicorn Frappuccino (pictured top of page) is coming back to Starbuck’s. It’s a one-weekend-only appear-ance starting August 15, and it’s the first time the beverage has been offered in nearly a decade. Delish calls it, “the violently pink-and-blue sugar rush that briefly took over Starbucks and the in-ternet.” The fans demanded the return of the S’Mores Frappuccino and the Unicorn Frap earlier this year. The S’Mores version was already featured, in a very limited time comeback, across the chain…
EVENTS
Burger King issues Whopper ‘guarantee’…
The ‘have it your way’ folks have resurrected that ancient and venerable slogan in a newstalgized way: If your Whopper doesn’t meet your expectations, BK will replace it with a new one, at no ad-ditional cost. Simple as that.
Whopper packages will include a QR patch that generates a unique six-digit redemption code. Customers can use that code to claim a free replacement Whopper on their next visit…
… Hires ‘Your Way Champions’
The title refers to a new managerial role which boils down to ensuring BK ‘guests’ have ‘positive in-store experience’. The new YWCs will be easily recognisable in their special uniforms. The job com-prises greeting customers as they enter, answering questions, assisting with concerns, and helping ensure orders are prepared accurately. It’s the fast food industry’s version of ‘concierge service’…
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s going to be making some of us a little more elastic-waisted over the coming days and weeks. See you all back here in 7 for the next unpredictable-as-the-weather edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.