The Fast Food sector players are revving up their promo-motors this month. No fewer than 5 Value offerings among our 9 MAINS entries! Elsewhere, Panda Express faces fan pushback against its new, ‘consistent’ Orange Chicken Sauce…
The new Taco Bell $3 Value Menu…
The rundown…
Another record rundown! Among the more esoteric entries: McDonald’s reprises Pokémon Happy Meals; Dunkin’ and Megan Three Stallion collab on protein bevs; and Walmart expands its drone delivery network…
MAINS
Taco Bell unveils $3 Value Meals…
It’s a major commitment, featuring 5 MAINs and 5 snacks/sides. “Through extensive fan testing and bold innovation, we created menu items that deliver an elevated experience at an accessible price point. This isn’t just a menu refresh, it’s a new standard for value at Taco Bell and across the industry,” said Luis Restrepo, the Bell’s Chief Marketing Officer, North America.
… Brings back the Volcano Quesarito!
The Volcano Quesarito serves as a launch base for the Bell’s new Volcano Sauce. Reviewers say it’s a spice-forward reboot of the Bell’s creamy-cheesy Lava Sauce, which has been off the menu for some time. The Quesatiro (see photo, top of page) is described as: ‘stacks seasoned beef, seasoned rice, and sour cream inside a burrito that’s wrapped in a grilled quesadilla packed with melted cheese, Nacho Cheese sauce, and Volcano Sauce’.
Burger King cooks up ‘Ultimate Steakhouse Whopper’
It’s built on a 4.4 oz / 125 g patty, topped with onion rings, bacon, sautéed mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and peppercorn aioli on a toasted sesame seed bun. There’s also a Jr. version, for smaller appetites.
It’s another of the finalists in last year’s Whopper By You contest, which encouraged fans to submit their recipe suggestions for ‘the next Whopper’.
McDonald’s Canada issues price guarantee
The Burger Franchise pioneer has announced a ‘price freeze’ guarantee on two popular grab-and-go menu items: “McValue Meals, now priced at $5 […] including breakfast items, and small McCafé coffee, still only $1,” the official news release says. It’s a response to a new survey which found that 3 out of 5 Canadians say that the cost of living is their top concern for 2026…
Whataburger rolls out a new Snack Wrap…
The NYC market shaker has débuted a new wrap which fans say is not only bigger than McDonald’s legendary Snack Wrap, but ‘a million times better’. How can that be? The new Big Ranch Wrap stuffs a warm tortilla with a crispy Whatachick’n Strip, lettuce, tomato, the chain’s own Creamy Buttermilk Ranch, and American cheese.
Shake Shack Reprises its Korean-Style menu
Three items are returning from the Shack’s previous Asian trip: K-Shack Fried Chicken Sandwich; K-Shack BBQ Burger ; and K-Shack Spicy BBQ Fries. And two new ones are on stage to share the spotlight. K-Shack Fried Chicken Bites are crispy-fried white-meat chicken bites / nuggets coated in a spicy-sweet sesame gochujang glaze, sprinkled with chopped scallions, and served with your choice of dipping sauce.
The K-Shack Spicy Caramel Shake is based on spicy gochujang caramel frozen custard and topped with whipped cream plus a drizzle of gochujang caramel. There’s nothing else like it on any of the major Fast Food players’ menus – as of now…
… Launches $3 – $4 – $5 Value Meals
The menu includes a $3 Big Ranch Wrap, 5-Piece $4 Whatachick’n Bites, and a $5 Bacon and Cheese Whataburger Jr. Now that the Holiday are over, it appears all the Fast Food heavy hitters are getting back into the Value Meals War. The first ‘shots’ were fired over the past two weeks…
BarBurrito rolls up value meals
Bar Burrito makes its first appearance in Fast Food Week… It claims to be, “Canada’s leading Mexican quick-service brand, serving fresh, flavourful burritos, tacos, bowls, and more across 390+ locations nationwide.”
The BB Value menu includes: the Value Burrito – $5.99; the Value Bowl – $5.99; Crunchy Chicken & Fries – $6.99; and Queso Fries – $4.99.
Popeye’s brings back Value Meals – including snack wraps
The old sailor is offering a slate of $5 Value Meals now through February 15. For your fiver, you can get: Three pieces of Signature Chicken (breast pieces cost extra); Three Tenders; Two regular sides (Homestyle Mac & Cheese costs extra); or Two Wraps. The wraps come in 4 varieties: Classic (with a fried chicken tender with mayo), Spicy ( a Classic Tender with spicy mayo), Blackened Classic (a Blackened Tender with mayo), and Blackened Spicy (a Blackened Tender with spicy mayo). All come with: shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, and pickles.
SIDES
Panda changes its Orange Chicken Sauce again
Panda Express has, indeed, changed its Orange Chicken Sauce again. And it’s been confirmed by a Redditor who claims to be a PE staffer. The new sauce comes pre-made from a central source and is designed to make the Orange Chicken experience more consistent (and easier for employees to produce)’ Alas… Many fans have complained it’s just not the same: ‘super sour’.
Heinz masters the art of serving ketchup
… With a unique, new Fries sleeve. The sleeve is standard cardboard – very similar to the McDonald’s familiar red version. But it has a pull-out trough on the front which you can load with ketchup, mayo or another creamy condiment.
Nina Patel, Vice President, Global Heinz Brand at the Kraft Heinz Company, said: “As more eating occasions happen away from home in drive-thrus and on-the-go moments, the HEINZ Dipper is a fun and relevant way to innovate to meet fans where they are and strengthen our role in their everyday lives.”
BEVERAGES
Dunkin and Megan pump out Protein Bevs
Dunkin Doughnuts has partnered with Megan Three Stallion on a new menu of ‘proten-rich refreshers’. There are 5 flavours including Megan’s Mango Protein Refresher. Choose from coffees, lattes, matchas, and classic-style Refreshers. ‘Teaming up with Dunkin’ to bring my new Mango Protein Refresher to life has been such an exciting experience!” says Megan. “I can’t wait for the Hotties to try it.”
DESSERTS & SNACKS
Burger King bakes up Cinnamon Apple Pie
Actually, it’s deep-fried. (But who’s counting?) It’s described as a turnover-style hand pie, stuffed with cinnamon-apple filling. The new dessert is the first apple pie to appear on BK’s rotating menu since the Dutch Apple Pie, which was sold by the slice and hasn’t been seen since 2020.
Cup Noodles rolls out iconic Wing Flavours
Could they be the ultimate screen-front snack? Cup Noodles is adding three new flavours to its line, including: Buffalo, Lemon Pepper, and Garlic Parmesan.
Cup Noodles isn’t trying to replace wings, noted food blogger Reach Guinto explains: “[But] they require commitment. Napkins. Coordination. And a willingness to accept collateral damage. Ramen, on the other hand, just asks for a fork and a little dignity.”
Hershey’s unveils Valentine’s Day treats
It’s still almost a month to0 the day guys are supposed to ‘treat’ their sweethearts. But Hershey’s has come out with its Valentine’s Day specials menu. There are 17 returning Hershey’s specialties, plus 5 new ones, showcasing Hershey’s Peanut Butter Cup, Kit Kat, Twizzler and Jolly Rancher brands…
NOVELTIES
McDonald’s reprises Pokémon Happy Meals
The collaboration will once again feature packs of Pokémon cards and will run during February and March. It’s a part of Pokémon’s 30th anniversary celebrations. The promotion comes sort of on the heels of McD’s Pikachu collab last year, which caused customer chaos and round-the-block lineups…
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter greases Ramsay’s palm
In a nice way, I mean. The brand has hired etherial celeb chef Gordon Ramsay to be the face of its new, reformulated, healthier flagship products.
The new ICBINB products are described as creamier, more versatile, and NutriRich (fortified with Vitamins A, D, E, and B12, plus Omega-3 ALA depending on the variety). Some members of the new line contain milk – a first for the brand. But some still contain Palm and Palm Kernel oil, which on the ‘bad fats’ list. ICBINB comes in standard tubs, sticks and cooking sprays…
EVENTS
Walmart expanding drone delivery
Walmart has been tinkering with Drone Delivery for a while, now. But it seems its process has been perfected. The retailer will expand its drone program to more cities including: Los Angeles, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Miami, with other cities to follow soon after. Walmart and partner WING Drone Delivery previously announced plans to expand to Houston, Orlando, Tampa, and Charlotte. They’re using a mighty ‘sky hook’ drone from Wing. Service is free for Walmart ‘members’, $19.99 per trip for others.
And that’s the skinny…
… On what’s going to be making some of us ‘more valued’ by our Fast Food heroes over the coming days and weeks. See you back here for the next snowshoeing-to-work edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.