McDonald’s drove some fans nuts with the introduction in 1998 of Szechuan sauce as part of cross-promotional event with the Disney film Mulan. The limited-time condiment vanished for a couple of decades and came back for a little while, further driving people crazy.
Will the Golden Arches have similar success with its new Special Grade Garlic Sauce as part of a collaboration with Jujutsu Kaisen?
Who knows?
Arby’s, which unceremoniously replaced its potato cakes with crinkle fries in 2021, is bringing them back for a limited time. We’ll see how much hubbub that generates.
IHOP is continuing its custom started earlier this year of offering a Pancake of the Month. Other chains have monthly promotions all the time, and for July we’re seeing them from Baskin-Robbins, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, Fiiz Drinks, The Flying Biscuit Café, Gott’s Roadside, Handel’s Homemade Ice cream, and Noodles & Company, Ziggi’s Coffee is jumping on the summertime s’mores bandwagon, &pizza and Mountain Mike’s are jumping on the considerably smaller but still real burger-themed pizza train, Donatos is the latest pizza chain to offer something similar to but not quite a calzone, and Bonchon finally has a fried chicken sandwich.
Whataburger and Chicken Guy have new fried chicken sandwiches, and Viva Chicken is reprising a chicken in green sauce.
Frank Pepe’s Pizza Napoletana is bringing back its Fresh Tomato Pie.
Burgerville has seasonal special featuring local ingredients, which is its thing.
Hopdoddy has a new line of “dirty soda,” and there are also new drinks from Dutch Bros, Freddy’s, PJ’s, and Rush Bowls, and Nekter has its first shakes.
Hardee’s is testing chicken with glaze meant to taste like barbecue potato chips.
Ruby Tuesday (remember them?) has seasonal specials, Shipley Do-Nuts is expanding its kolache line (now with eggs!), and Sweet Paris has new crêpes
Krispy Kreme has Independence Day-themed doughnuts, Nothing Bundt Cakes has miniature treats inspired by wedding cake, Potbelly has yet another limited-time cookie, and Pretzelmaker is the latest chain to team up with Cheetos.
Yampa Sandwich Company has an Italian hero, Penn Station East Coast Subs has a new spicy sandwich (but only in Lexington, Ky.), Texas de Brazil has new shrimp items, Voodoo Doughnut has a lemon doughnut for charity, and Velvet Taco’s Weekly Taco Feature is made with burnt ends.
Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected]