Many chain restaurants constantly reinvent themselves with rebranding, redesigns, new technology — and perhaps most of all, new menu items. From Taco Bell to Jamba to Applebee’s, things change. Offerings disappear or temporarily cycle out; new ones appear, usually with much hoopla.
24/7 Tempo has assembled a list of new menu items at some of the nation’s favorite chain restaurants, based on the Menu Tracker column published regularly by the leading national restaurant trade publication Nation’s Restaurant News. (Preference was given to items from chains that are the best-known and/or largest across the country.)
Some of these debuts are geared to summer dining; some acknowledge a growing consumer appetite for plant-based protein surrogates; some are simply being tested regionally, for a limited time. In some cases, the new menu choices are permanent (at least for the foreseeable future), while in other cases they’re making just a limited appearance (These are some fast-food dishes we’d like to see back on the menu.)
Click here to see 22 new menu items at your favorite restaurant chains
It’s not surprising that new takes on tacos and pizza, both always very popular for chain restaurants, figure more than once on this list — and if anybody needs reminding what America’s favorite form of protein is, note that eight of 22 items here involve chicken, and a ninth is a vegan-friendly chicken substitute. (Speaking of that emblematic bird, here are the 30 best fried chicken places in America.)
Source: Tim Boyle / Getty Images
1. Chicken nuggets
> Chain: Arby’s
> When available: Permanently
> Where available: All locations
> Price (may vary): $3 (6 pieces), $4.50 (9 pieces)
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2. Taco combo (with Impossible Foods protein)
> Chain: Baja Fresh
> When available: Through Oct. 31
> Where available: All locations
> Price (may vary): $11.99 (3 tacos)
Source: Photo by Aimee C. via Yelp
3. Lobster taco
> Chain: Bartaco
> When available: Through Sept. 6
> Where available: All locations
> Price (may vary): $6.75
4. Classic chicken sandwich
> Chain: Buffalo Wild Wings
> When available: Through Aug. 31
> Where available: All locations
> Price (may vary): $5.99
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Source: mizoula / Getty Images
5. Chickpea crust pizza (various toppings)
> Chain: California Pizza Kitchen
> When available: Unspecified limited time
> Where available: Los Angeles and select Florida locations
> Price (may vary): $2.50 upcharge from regular crust price
Source: Photo by Chris A. via Yelp
6. Lemon chicken bowl
> Chain: Cava
> When available: Permanently
> Where available: All locations
> Price (may vary): $10.95
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Source: Courtesy of Chevys Fresh Mex
7. BBQ chicken chopped salad
> Chain: Chevys Fresh Mex
> When available: Through Sept. 30
> Where available: All locations
> Price (may vary): $14.50
Source: carterdayne / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
8. Beefy ranch wrap
> Chain: Jimmy John’s
> When available: Through Aug. 22
> Where available: All locations
> Price (may vary): $8.50
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
9. Planteroni pizza (with plant-based pepperoni)
> Chain: Little Caesars
> When available: Data not available
> Where available: Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, New York City, and Portland (Ore.)
> Price (may vary): $8
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10. Frank’s RedHot Buffalo queso taco
> Chain: Moe’s Southwest Grill
> When available: Through Sept. 5
> Where available: All locations
> Price (may vary): $6.99 (2 tacos)
11. Beyond the Original orange chicken (with plant-based chicken substitute)
> Chain: Panda Express
> When available: While supplies last
> Where available: Select Los Angeles and New York City locations
> Price (may vary): $5.65
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12. Popeyes nuggets
> Chain: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
> When available: Permanently
> Where available: All locations
> Price (may vary): $3.99 (8 pieces)
Source: carterdayne / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
13. Birthday cake donut holes
> Chain: Quiznos
> When available: Through Oct. 4
> Where available: All locations
> Price (may vary): $3.99
Source: Courtesy of Round Table Pizza
14. Charred lemon chicken pizza
> Chain: Round Table Pizza
> When available: Through Sept. 26
> Where available: All locations
> Price (may vary): $19.99
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15. Honey maple chicken biscuit
> Chain: Roy Rogers Restaurants
> When available: Through Nov. 15
> Where available: All locations
> Price (may vary): $3.19
16. Hot honey chicken sandwich
> Chain: Shake Shack
> When available: Through Oct. 4
> Where available: All locations
> Price (may vary): $7.19
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Source: Brett_Hondow / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
17. Cinnamon toast crunch churro shake
> Chain: Smashburger
> When available: Through Aug. 31
> Where available: All locations
> Price (may vary): $5.99
Source: Michael Rivera / Wikimedia Commons
18. Cali Fresh sub (roast turkey or steak)
> Chain: Subway
> When available: Permanently
> Where available: All locations
> Price (may vary): Varies by size and location
Source: mikeinlondon / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
19. Birthday cake iced capp
> Chain: Tim Hortons
> When available: Through Aug. 24
> Where available: All locations
> Price (may vary): $3.69
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Source: artran / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
20. Smoky Campfire Cannolo
> Chain: Voodoo Doughnut
> When available: Through Sept. 13
> Where available: All locations
> Price (may vary): 3.15
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
21. Spicy black bean burger
> Chain: Wendys
> When available: Unspecified limited time
> Where available: Pittsburgh; Jacksonville, Florida; and Columbus, Ohio
> Price (may vary): $5.79
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Source: typhoonski / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
22. Pico de gallo burger
> Chain: Whataburger
> When available: Unspecified limited time
> Where available: All locations
> Price (may vary): $9
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