We may think of chain restaurants as having a standard menu that doesn’t change much, but the truth is that all large-scale food service operations – from casual take-out stands and even convenience stores to comfortable sit-down table-service places – are continually experimenting, developing, adapting and adopting, and trying out new dishes to serve their patrons. (These are some of the most successful restaurant chains in America.)
Some of these dishes are seasonal or tied to specific holidays. Others are responses to trends (meatless burgers, for instance). Still others are probably just ideas hatched by some corporate chef that seemed good enough to put out there, at least for a limited time.
To assemble a list of some of these new items, 24/7 Tempo reviewed several editions of the Menu Tracker column appearing regularly in Nation’s Restaurant News, a leading national restaurant trade publication. Compiled by Bret Thorn, NRN’s senior food and beverage editor, the column details new additions to menus at a wide range of chain restaurants around the U.S.
Spring may be upon us, so you might expect to see lots of fresh warm-weather vegetables and other light fare on this list. Well…The restaurants included here might not have looked at their calendars lately, because while there are a few lighter items (a Baja shrimp taco; an Everything Plant-Based Sandwich), there’s also plenty of hearty fare of the kind your cardiologist would probably rather you didn’t enjoy. Sauced and Loaded Triple Cheese & Bacon Fries, anyone? Or some Tex-Mex Alfredo Taco Pasta?
Click here to see new chain restaurants menu items for spring
As usual, though, there’s chicken on the list – five examples – as well as a couple of burgers (three, actually, if you count the black bean version). And those with a sweet tooth might want to try sipping a Burnt Caramel Cold Brew Latte or a Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Milkshake. (These are the best burgers you can get at a fast food restaurant.)
Some of these items have been added to menus permanently (or at least until they’re moved off to make room for newer innovations), while others will start disappearing as early as May 17. But don’t worry if you miss some of them: There’ll be plenty more new treats next month.
Source: J. Michael Jones / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar
> Menu item: Sugar-dusted Donut Dippers
> When available: Permanently
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $6.50
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Source: J. Michael Jones / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Bob Evans
> Menu item: Double Meat Protein Bowl
> When available: Permanently
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $10.99
Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
Burger King
> Menu item: Bacon Whopper Melt
> When available: While supplies last
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $4.29
Source: Sundry Photography / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Carl’s Jr.
> Menu item: Gold Digger Hand-Breaded Chicken Sandwich
> When available: Through May 17
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $7.49
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Source: Brycia James / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
Chipotle Mexican Grill
> Menu item: Pollo asado
> When available: Unspecified limited time
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $9.11
Source: anouchka / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
> Menu item: Burnt Caramel Cold Brew Latte
> When available: Through May 17
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $5.25 (regular)
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Source: sanfel / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Dairy Queen
> Menu item: Original Cheeseburger Signature Stackburger
> When available: While supplies last
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $4.50
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Source: sanfel / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Denny’s
> Menu item: Get That Cookie Dough Pancakes
> When available: Through June 21
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $8.49
Source: Wolterk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
El Pollo Loco
> Menu item: Baja shrimp taco
> When available: Through June 1
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $3.29
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Fogo de Chão
> Menu item: Queijo assado (roasted Brazilian cheese with malagueta pepper honey)
> When available: Permanently
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $6 ($4 at happy hour)
Friendly’s
> Menu item: Tex-Mex Alfredo Taco Pasta
> When available: Permanently
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $13.99-$15.49
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Source: J. Michael Jones / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Hardee’s
> Menu item: Ultimate Sausage Biscuit
> When available: Through May 17
> Where available: Southeastern locations only
> Price: $3.79
Jack in the Box
> Menu item: Sauced and Loaded Triple Cheese & Bacon Fries
> When available: Through May 30
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $3
Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
Panera Bread
> Menu item: Panera Chef’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich
> When available: Permanently
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $10.99
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Source: ablokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Peet’s Coffee
> Menu item: Everything Plant-Based Sandwich
> When available: Permanently
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $5.95
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
> Menu item: Wildberry Beignets
> When available: Unspecified limited time
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $1.99
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Source: carterdayne / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
> Menu item: Cubano sandwich
> When available: While supplies last
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $8.19-$10.89
Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
Qdoba
> Menu item: Smoky Chicken Cheese-Crusted Quesadilla
> When available: Unspecified limited time
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $9.95
Source: ablokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews
> Menu item: Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Milkshake
> When available: Unspecified limited time
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $5.89
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Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
7-Eleven
> Menu item: Black bean burger
> When available: Unspecified limited time
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $5 (for two)
Smokey Bones
> Menu item: Louisiana-style BBQ shrimp appetizer
> When available: Through May 23
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $11.99
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Source: TennesseePhotographer / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Subway
> Menu item: Mozza Meat sub
> When available: Permanently
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $8.50 (footlong)
Source: Melissa Kopka / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Sweetgreen
> Menu item: Chicken chimichurri bowl
> When available: Through May
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $12.95
Source: lawcain / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Taco Bell
> Menu item: Nacho fries
> When available: Unspecified limited time
> Where available: All locations
> Price: $1.49
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