Brand New Fast-Food Menu Items Dropping in January

Fast-food restaurants are always innovating (and competing), and that means there’s always some new fast-food menu item to try. McDonald’s, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell, Subway, and other big chains regularly introduce limited-time offerings to entice customers to keep coming back. Here’s what’s new this month in the fast-food world. 

Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Burger King: SpongeBob Menu

Burger King just released a fun new meal that ties in to the release of a new SpongeBob movie. There are four new items:

• SpongeBob’s Krabby Whopper: A quarter-pound beef patty on a yellow square bun topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, mayo, and ketchup
• Mr. Krabs’ Cheesy Bacon Tots: Crispy coin-shaped potato tots filled with cheese and bacon pieces
• Patrick’s Star-berry Shortcake Pie: A slice of strawberry shortcake-style pie with strawberry and vanilla flavored cream layers, shortcake cookie crumbles, and pink star sprinkles
• Pirate’s Frozen Pineapple Float: Frozen pineapple flavored drink topped with tropical flavored cold foam

You can order any of the items individually, get them all in one combo, or get a kids meal version in a pineapple-shaped box with a SpongeBob toy and BK crown.

If that’s not your thing, there’s also a new Ultimate Steakhouse Bacon Whopper, topped with bacon, Swiss cheese, onion rings, sauteed mushrooms, and creamy peppercorn aioli. For dessert, try a cinnamon apple pie, which is actually deep fried, like all good fast food pies should be.

Pizza Hut: Triple Treat Box

Though the holiday are over, Pizza Hut is still keeping the Triple Treat Box around. You get two medium 1-topping pizzas, five breadsticks, and 10 cinnamon sticks all in a festive holiday box for $20.

Taco Bell: Quesarito

Taco Bell always has a ton of new items to keep customers interested. This month, there’s a returning fan favorite that was discontinued in 2023: the Quesarito. Here’s everything that’s new.

• Quesarito: cheese-filled quesadilla wrapped around ground beef, rice, chipotle sauce, and sour cream
• Volcano Quesarito: creamy Volcano sauce in place of chipotle sauce
• Cheesy Dipping Burritos: two snack-sized burritos filled with chicken or steak, cheese, and avocado ranch with your choice of dipping sauce
• Steak Garlic Nacho Fries: a bed of Nacho Fries topped with steak, nacho cheese sauce, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, and creamy garlic sauce
• Creamy Chipotle Crispy Chicken Burrito and Taco: crispy chicken strips with lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo, cabbage, and creamy chipotle sauce

McDonald’s: Snack Wraps

There aren’t a lot of new items on the menu at McDonald’s right now, but Snack Wraps have stuck around to start out the new year. The fan favorite snacks include a piece of crispy chicken, lettuce, cheese, and either ranch or spicy sauce in a flour tortilla.

Dunkin’: Winter Menu

The winter menu is in full swing at Dunkin’. Here’s everything that’s new right now.

• Berry Sangria Refresher: Berry flavors mixed with your choice of green tea, black tea, lemonade, or sparkling water
• Toasted White Chocolate Signature Latte: Espresso, milk, and toasted white chocolate syrup topped with whipped cream, a caramel drizzle, and cinnamon sugar
• Raspberry Striped Croissant: Croissant with ribbons of raspberry baked into the dough and a raspberry fruit filling
• Ultimate Bacon Jam Breakfast Sandwich: Bacon, white cheddar cheese, egg, and sweet and savory bacon jam on a croissant

Papa Johns: The Grand Papa Pizza

There’s a huge new pizza at Papa Johns this month, and it’s the biggest one the chain has ever offered, coming in at 18 inches in diameter. The Grand Papa has a thin, foldable crust and is topped with new large, deli-style pepperoni slices, a three cheese blend, and Italian seasoning.

Dairy Queen: Sauced and Tossed Chicken Strips Basket

Chicken tender lovers have a new reason to head to Dairy Queen. You can now get your chicken strips tossed in honey BBQ or parmesan garlic sauce. On the sweet side, here are the current limited-time Blizzard flavors:

• Mocha Brownie Mudslide
• Choco-Dipped Strawberry
• Oreo Snowdrift

Starbucks: Winter Menu

Starbucks has transitioned to its winter menu. Here’s what’s new.

• Caramel Protein Latte: espresso, protein-boosted milk, and caramel syrup, with up to 27-29 grams of protein per hot or iced grande
• Iced Dubai Chocolate Mocha: espresso, chocolate mocha sauce, and milk with pistachio cream cold foam and a salted brown-buttery topping
• Iced Dubai Chocolate Matcha: unsweetened matcha, pistachio sauce, and milk with chocolate cream cold foam and salted brown-buttery topping
• Pistachio Cortado: blonde espresso, pistachio sauce, and steamed milk with a salted brown-buttery topping
• Pistachio Cream Cold Brew: cold brew and vanilla syrup, topped with pistachio cream cold foam and salted brown-buttery sprinkles
• Truffle, Mushroom, and Brie Egg Bites

Arby’s: Italian Beef Dip

There’s a lot of new items on the menu at Arby’s right now, including the Italian Beef Dip. It’s made with the chain’s sliced roast beef, Swiss cheese, and Chicago-style pickled giardiniera peppers, all with a side of au jus for dipping. Plus, King’s Hawaiian fish sandwiches are back already, and there’s a new peach cobbler roll (think dessert eggroll!).

Wendy’s: Tendys

Wendy’s debuted chicken tenders recently, and they come with a rhyming name. Wendy’s Tendys are a new core menu item and are breaded for crispiness. And because you just have to dip them, there are six new sauces as well: Wendy’s signature sauce (creamy with hot sauce and black pepper), sweet chili, scorchin’ hot, creamy ranch, honey BBQ, and honey mustard.

Plus, Wendy’s just redid its whole Frosty experience. Now you can get Frosty Swirls and Frosty Fusions with sauces and crunchy mix-ins. There are options like strawberry Pop-Tarts, brownie batter, and a new seasonal snickerdoodle flavor.

Hardee’s: Grilled Cheese Bacon Burger

There’s a new burger option at Hardee’s right now. The Grilled Cheese Bacon Burger has a beef patty, bacon, American and Swiss cheese, and mayonnaise on toasted sourdough bread. You can also get the sandwich as breakfast versions with egg, cheeses, and either sausage or bacon, or try one of the new brioche bun breakfast sandwiches instead. On the sweet side, cinnamon and raisin biscuits are back.

Sonic: Salted Caramel Toffee Croissant Bites

You can always count on Sonic to have some limited-time treats available. Here’s what’s new.

• Salted Caramel Toffee Croissant Bites: flaky, golden fried pastry bites covered in a spiced, salted caramel–toffee sugar blend
• Bourbon Caramel Iced Coffee: cold brew and bourbon caramel syrup with whipped topping
• Peppermint Brownie Bark Shake: vanilla soft serve with brownie pieces and crushed peppermints
• Pretzel Bacon Sonic Smasher: smashed burger patties with American cheese, bacon, mustard, and crispy fried onions on a pretzel bun

If you’re in search of more Sonic deals, check out our ranking of the Sonic Value Menu.

Panera: Ciabatta Dipper

There’s a lot new at Panera right now for winter.

• Harvest Medley Chicken Salad: mixed greens, arugula, farro, chicken, mandarin oranges, feta, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, pecans, and balsamic vinaigrette
• Toasted Caprese Focaccia: fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, arugula, pesto, and balsamic glaze on black pepper focaccia
• Wake Up BLT Stack: bacon, egg, tomatoes, arugula, and cheesy benedict sauce on an asiago everything bagel
• Autumn Squash Soup: creamy butternut and pumpkin soup with a hint of curry
• Hearty Fireside Chili: beef and bean chili with fire-roasted tomatoes and green chiles
• Creme Brulee Latte
• Mocha Latte
• Frozen Hot Chocolate

Del Taco: Del Dorado Chicken Menu

There’s a new menu of chicken items at Del Taco this month. Each item includes Del Dorado grilled chicken coated in salsa roja and spicy Jack cheese. Try it in two different kinds of burritos, a taco with shredded cabbage and guacamole, a quesadilla, or a tostada-like Crunchtada. For beverages, there’s new real strawberry lemonade, Sprite, and shakes.

Popeyes: Shrimp Tackle Box

Seafood is back already at Popeyes. You can get fried shrimp in the shrimp Tackle Box with cocktail sauce, a side, and a drink. Cheesy Bites are also back on the menu, which are made with cheese curds fried in a garlic crust and served with marinara sauce.

Chick-fil-A: Frosted Sodas and Floats

Chick-fil-A doesn’t have any special sandwiches right now, but do have two new drinks on the menu. Frosted sodas and floats are permanent additions to the menu, and they’re part of the chain’s 80th birthday celebration this year (which includes a collectible cup Chick-fil-A-for-a-year sweepstakes). Plus, hot chicken tortilla soup is back.

Whataburger: Monterey Melt

There’s a few new items on the menu to start the year at Whataburger. The Monterey Melt is a burger topped with American and monterey jack cheese, grilled peppers and onions, and jalapeno ranch. There’s also a chicken fajita taco with grilled chicken and grilled peppers and onions inside a flour tortilla, and a Big Ranch Wrap with a chicken strip, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and ranch.

Little Caesars: Ultimate Cheesesteak Pizza

Little Caesars is channeling Philadelphia right now with its Ultimate Cheesesteak Pizza. It’s made with cheesy white sauce, seasoned sliced steak, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, and mozzarella. There’s also a new Stuffed Crunch Crust option where the stuffed crust pizza is brushed with garlic and topped with toasted breadcrumbs.

Jack in the Box: Protein Bowls

Jack in the Box never lets anyone down who wants new, unusual menu items. Here’s what’s new on the menu this month.

• Chicken Teriyaki Bowl: grilled or crispy chicken with white or brown rice, broccoli, carrots, and teriyaki sauce
• Chicken Fajita Bowl: grilled or crispy chicken with white or brown rice, grilled onions, shredded cheddar, corn and black bean blend, and chipotle ranch
• Midnight Chicken Sandwich: fried chicken filet on a bun with pickles and Midnight sauce
• Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks: fried mozz sticks in a Nashville hot-flavored breading, served with ranch
• Waffle Sticks

Jimmy John’s: Toasted Sandwiches

Jimmy John’s has finally brought toasted sandwiches to its menu after serving only cold subs for so long. You can get any sub toasted, or you can try five new toasted subs.

• Chicken Bacon Ranch: chicken, bacon, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, ranch dressing, and ranch seasoning
• Roast Beef and Cheddar: roast beef, bacon, cheddar, crispy fried onions, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, and horseradish sauce
• Ultimate Italian: capocollo, salami, ham, bacon, parmesan, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, oil, oregano, basil, and vinegar
• Ham and Three Cheese Melt: double portion of ham, cheddar, provolone, parmesan, and mayo
• Sicilian Pizza Sandwich: ham, salami, capocollo, mozzarella, marinara sauce, and basil-oregano blend

Noodles & Company: Chili Garlic Ramen

Noodles & Co. has a new dish this month, and it sounds great. Chili Garlic Ramen is inspired by viral ramen hacks on social media. The stir fried dish has cabbage, spinach, and green onions sauteed with chili garlic sauce and ramen noodles.

Subway: Protein Pockets

Subway is leaning into its healthy image to start the new year. Here’s the new lineup of Protein Pockets, all wrapped in a wheat tortilla.

• Baja Chicken: grilled chicken with cheddar, Baja Chipotle sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and sliced jalapeños
• Peppercorn Ranch Chicken: grilled chicken with cheddar, peppercorn ranch, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles
• Italian Trio: ham, pepperoni, salami, cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo
• Turkey & Ham: turkey, ham, cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo

KFC: $5 Bowls, Cheese Curds

KFC has brought back fan-favorite $5 bowls, including some new variations beyond the Famous Bowl. Some include fried cheese curds, a brand new item at the chain.

• Matty’s Cheesy Nuggy Gravy Bowl: fries, brown gravy, chicken nuggets, and cheese curds
• Mac & Cheese Bowl: mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, and three-cheese blend
• Mashed Potato Bowl: mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, chicken nuggets, and three-cheese blend
• Spicy Mashed Potato Bowl: mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, chicken nuggets, three-cheese blend, and Nashville Hot sauce

Qdoba: Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken

Qdoba, Chipotle’s biggest rival, has brought back a popular protein option. The Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken is made with grilled chicken tossed in Cholula hot sauce and honey, and can be ordered as a protein on any entree. Plus, Loaded Tortilla Soup is back for chilly weather.

Shake Shack: Korean Style Menu

There’s a whole new Korean-inspired menu at Shake Shack this month. Here’s what’s new.

• K-Shack Fried Chicken Bites: chicken bites coated in a spicy-sweet sesame gochujang glaze, finished with scallions
• K-Shack Spicy Caramel Shake: gochujang caramel frozen custard topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of gochujang caramel
• K-Shack Fried Chicken Sandwich: breaded chicken breast glazed in spicy-sweet sesame gochujang, with fresh scallions and kimchi slaw
• K-Shack BBQ Burger: beef patty topped with American cheese, crispy sweet onions, scallions, and savory Korean BBQ sauce
• K-Shack Spicy BBQ Fries: fries dusted with kimchi seasoning and served with a side of Korean BBQ sauce

Steak ‘n Shake: Beef Tallow Fries

Steak ‘n Shake has brought back a blast from the past. The entire burger chain is frying its French fries in beef tallow. It gives the chain’s shoestring fries an unmistakable flavor that many people still crave after McDonald’s stopped the practice in the 1990s. 

Taco John’s: Stuffed Grilled Tacos

Taco John’s has a new take on tacos this month. The Stuffed Grilled Taco is similar to a burrito, with seasoned beef, nacho cheese, shredded cheese, sour cream, taco sauce, and crushed tortilla chips all wrapped in a flour tortilla and grilled. It’s also available in a spicy chicken version with chipotle lime sauce, hot sauce, pickled jalapenos, and sour cream, and a guacamole ranch version.

Bojangles: Salted Caramel Apple Crisp

There’s a new fall dessert at Bojangles, a Southern chain known for its biscuits and fried chicken. It’s got warm apple topping, cinnamon streusel, and salted caramel served on top of a fresh buttermilk biscuit. There’s also two new bowls: a breakfast bowl with sausage, Bo-Tato Rounds, creamy gravy, and cheese, and a Cajun rice bowl with dirty rice, Cajun pintos, grilled chicken, cheese, and hot sauce.

Domino’s: Parmesan Stuffed Crust Pizza

It’s hard to believe that Domino’s hasn’t had stuffed-crust pizza until now, but that’s all changed with its new Parmesan-stuffed crust. It’s made with buttery-flavored dough wrapped around mozzarella cheese, then topped with garlic seasoning and parmesan. Get it with whatever toppings you want. Plus, try the new cinnamon- or garlic-flavored bread bites.

Chipotle: Carne Asada

Chipotle recently brought back one of its most requested proteins: carne asada. The beef is marinated, then grilled in-store and seasoned with cumin, coriander, garlic, and oregano. Once it’s cooked, it’s sliced and sprinkled with lime juice and fresh cilantro for a refreshing kick. You can try it topped with a brand new sauce, red chimichurri, made with roasted garlic, chile peppers, and cilantro.

Culvers: Chicken Club Sandwiches

There are some new chicken sandwiches at Culver’s, which is known for its burgers and custard. The chicken club sandwiches all have bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo, and you can choose to get those toppings on crispy fried chicken, spicy fried chicken, or grilled chicken breast.

More Fast-Food Deals and News From Cheapism

• ‘Rubbery,’ ‘Horrible’: McDonald’s New Snack Wrap Is a Big Disappointment to Fans — If you were excited about the return of Snack Wraps, we have bad news for you.
• 23 Fast‑Food Family Meal Deals Available in December — Feeding a group doesn’t have to bust your budget. Discover the latest meal deals from your favorite chains.
• The Cheapest Fast‑Food Items That Actually Fill You Up — Despite rising prices, you can still fill up on bargains.