Just about all the major Snack Food labels have news this week – it must be the height of snacking season! The emphasis is on hot-and-spicy flavours, but ‘sweet’ gets its innings, too! And there’s news of a major new addition to the Nathan’s Original Frankfurter family plus a new Burger King Italia offering!
Nathan’s By Meatless Farms: New plant-based frankfurter with trademark
Nathan’s taste. First really big change from Nathans’ in a century!
Nathan’s makes first major change in a century
Nathan’s Original Hot Dogs, credited with introducing the American Hot Dog as we know it to the world back in 1916, has made the first major addition to its product family in almost s long: A new ‘gourmet’ plant-based Nathan’s frankfurter is now available for those who’ve been demanding it: Nathan’s Famous Meatless Farm Hot Dogs are low in saturated fat, low in sodium, soy-free, and gluten-free. They’ll be generally available later this summer where you already find Nathan’s Originals.
Burger King (Italia) goes ‘regal’ with new Cheeseburger
BK Italy joins hands (or buns) with ‘the king of Italian cheeses’ to produce a new treat: The Parmigiano Reggiano Burger — a part of the chain’s ‘Italian Kings’ series highlighting Italy’s most notable foods. In preparation for the event, BK Italia has bought up about 20 tonnes of genuine Parmigiano Reggiano to cover the anticipated demand. “This partnership with Burger King proves Parmigiano Reggiano’s versatility… and is the ideal synthesis between the excellence of Italian agrifood products and the American food tradition,” says Nicola Bertinelli, President of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium. Again… Why only there and not here, in North America?
Lays cools off summer with new Cool Ranch…
The Chip behemoth is introducing new Doritos Cool Ranch Chips. That’s not a misprint. They’re Cool Ranch Doritos flavour a classic Lay Potato Chip. Confused? I say, here’s another example of ‘innovation desperation’ from the fast food industry…
…And stages the ultimate Flamin’ Hot Showdown!
The Lays guys are pushing the hot snacks envelope with their new Xxtra Flamin’ Hot Doritos as a head-to-head competitor with Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Pepper Puffs. They’ll be declaring a fan-fave ‘winner’ in the 2021 Flamin’ Hot Faceoff Campaign later this spring. Try ’em both and declare your fave beginning April 29. Vote for Cheetos or Doritos by visiting the Instagram page and commenting on their weekly merch giveaway posts. Or, use #TeamCheetos, #TeamDoritos, and #FlaminHotFaceOff on Instagram and Twitter. Winnners will be awarded Flamin’ Hot merch like exclusive branded jackets, hoodies, sweatpants, and more, every Thursday now through July 7.
Goldfish get flavour to match their colour
Goldfish Crackers are partnering with Frank’s Red Hot Sauce to give their snack a spicy kick. The move follows calls by more than 35,000 cracker fans for a zippier option. Red Hot Goldfish will be available for limited time starting this month, while supplies last.
Crunchy Tequila Shots, anyone?
Just kiding. But Tostitos is offering special Sweet Lime and Sea Salt Bite-Sized Rounds in honour of Cinco de Mayo for a limited time. It’s a great flavour inspiration, and I think Tostitos should keep it on the ‘permanent’ list year-round. What better partner for Queso or Salsa?
Smartfood and Krispy Kreme team on Doughnut-Flavoured Popcorn
I always thought Smartfood popcorn got is name from the fact that it wasn’t chock-full of calories, salt or other bad stuff (not to mention sugar). Now, the label is partnering with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts on Doughnut-Flavoured Popcorn. Isn’t that, like, a contradiction in terms? It’ll be available chain-wide starting May 24, for a limited time. Pandemics breed strange bedfellows…
Wendy’s Canada pours new Strawberry Frostie
The guys with the square Burger patties are offering an official Strawberry Frostie for the first time at Wendy’s Canada, for a limited time. It differs from the previously offered Strawberry Shake (made with strawberry syrup) and Strawberry Shortcake Frosty Parfait inasmuch as they had to be mixed by hand by an employee and used Strawberry syrup, while the new Frostie features real Strawberry purée and comes ready-blended right 0ut of the Frostie machine spout.
Chick-Fil-A makes Tea/Lemonade bev official
The mash-up of CFA’s Tea and Lemonade has long been a favourite custom-order bevrage at the Chicke Sandwichn kig. But now, the blend has been given an official name and a place on the permanent menu. The the Sunjoy can be ordered with Sweet or Plain Tea and Regular or Diet Lemonade. Available at participating locations chain-wide.
Taco Bell declares celebration!
May 4 has, for many decades, now, been unofficially called Star Wars Day (‘May the 4th be with you!’), and many restos and other businesses have started offering celebratory specials for fans on that date. Now, (or this year, at least) it’s also the Night Of The Taco Moon, at least at Taco Bell. In honour of the Moon taking on the shape of a Taco that night, The Bell will give fans free Crunchy Tacos (one apiece) between 8 pm and 11:59 pm in-store, through the Taco Bell app, or online. This gala event takes place over most of the Taco Bell chain, worldwide.
And that’s the skinny…
… On what will be making some of us a little fatter over the coming days and weeks. See you back here in 7 for the next edition of Fast Food Week!
~ Maggie J.