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: Peppercorn BLT Whopper
There’s a new Whopper in town at Burger King. The Peppercorn BLT Whopper is a quarter pound beef patty topped with Swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and creamy peppercorn aioli. There’s also a new Double Candied Maple Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Croissan’wich for breakfast. For dessert, try a cinnamon apple pie, which is actually deep fried, like all good fast-food pies should be.
Taco Bell: Chocolate Fudge and Caramel Empanadas
Taco Bell always has new limited time goodies, and this month is no exception. That includes dessert empanadas filled with chocolate fudge or salted caramel, chipotle crispy chicken Crunchwrap Slider, Cantina rolled chicken quesadilla, and chicken bacon ranch street Chalupas.
The Bell also recently revamped its value menu into the Luxe version with lots of new permanent options:
- Mini Taco Salad, $2.49: beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, refried beans, and creamy chipotle sauce in a tiny crispy tortilla bowl
- Beefy Potato Loaded Griller, $2.49: beef, crispy potatoes, nacho cheese sauce, creamy chipotle sauce, and sour cream, rolled and grilled in a tortilla
- Chips & Nacho Supreme Dip, $2.49: a take on 7-layer dip with layers of beef, refried beans, nacho cheese sauce, sour cream, pico de gallo, and shredded cheese, served with tortilla chips for dipping
- Avocado Ranch Chicken Stacker, $2.99: grilled chicken, avocado ranch sauce, shredded cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes folded and grilled in a tortilla
- Salted Caramel Churros, $1.99: mini churros dusted in salted caramel sugar
- Crispy Chicken Nuggets: marinated chicken nuggets with a tortilla chip coating
McDonald’s: KPop Demon Hunters Meals
The latest themed meals at McDonald’s are based on KPop Demon Hunters. There are two to choose from.
- The HUNTR/X Meal: 10-piece McNuggets, medium drink, Ramyeon McShaker fries with a soy, garlic, and sesame seasoning, sweet chili Hunter dipping sauce, and mustard Demon sauce
- The Saja Boys Breakfast Meal: Spicy Saja McMuffin with sausage, egg, and peppery Saja sauce, hash browns, and a small drink
Plus you can still get the Big Arch, the new burger that’s created a ton of buzz — some good, some bad. It’s the chain’s biggest burger ever, and it comes with two quarter pound beef patties, three slices of white cheddar cheese, both crispy and slivered onions (that’s what they call their regular burger onions), lettuce, pickles, and Big Arch sauce. Most people seem to like it, except the McD’s CEO who went viral for a cringe social media video.
Dunkin’: Spring Menu
There are lots of new things on the Dunkin’ menu right now, including a banana flavored lineup. Here’s everything that’s new.
- Dunkin’ Zero: a zero-sugar energy drink that comes in six flavors, including mango, peach, and tangerine
- Banana Puddin’ Cloud Latte: espresso with whole milk and banana flavor, topped with banana cold foam
- Banana Daydream Refresher: Strawberry Dragonfruit, Mango Pineapple or Berry Acai Refresher blended with oatmilk and topped with banana cold foam
- Bananarama Matcha: matcha latte made with whole milk, matcha and banana flavor
Papa Johns: Pan Pizza
There’s a new type of pizza at Papa Johns. The pan pizza is made with garlic butter and parmesan on the bottom, giving it a crispy, sturdy crust. There’s caramelized cheese around the edge of the pan as well, similar to a Detroit-style pie. In case you’re wondering how it is, we thought it was pretty good — and better than Domino’s.
If a sandwich is what you’re after, there’s three new oven toasted sandwiches in Philly cheesesteak, chicken bacon ranch, and steak and mushroom.
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Dairy Queen: Swicy Menu
Things are hot and sweet at Dairy Queen this month with a new “Swicy” menu. The FlameThrower Chicken Strip basket includes smokey, spicy chicken strips, fries, Texas toast, and a small cup of vanilla soft serve meant for dipping your hot chicken into. There are also two new pineapple drinks made with Tajin, the sour and spicy Mexican seasoning. And here’s the current limited time Blizzard offerings.
- Strawberry Angel Food Cake
- S’mores
- Cotton Candy
- Choco-Dipped Strawberry
- Mocha Brownie Mudslide
Starbucks: Spring Menu
Starbucks has transitioned to its Spring menu. Here’s what’s new.
- Iced Ube Coconut Latte: espresso and coconut topped with ube coconut cold foam and a sprinkle of coconut flakes
- Iced Ube Coconut Macchiato: espresso, coconut milk, and ube coconut cold foam
- Iced Lavender Cream Chai: chai, milk, and lavender cream cold foam
- Coconut Whiskey Barrel-Aged Cold Brew: whiskey barrel-aged cold brew, layered with coconut cream cold foam and topped with strawberry pieces
- Watermelon Coconut Matcha: coconut water, watermelon purée, and matcha
Arby’s: French Dip Royale
There are a lot of new items on the menu at Arby’s right now, including a brand new way to enjoy roast beef. The French Dip Royale sandwich is made with roast beef and provolone cheese, caramelized onions, steak seasoning, and garlic aioli on a toasted sub roll. Plus, King’s Hawaiian fish sandwiches are still available, and there’s a new peach cobbler roll (think dessert eggroll!).
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Wendy’s: Thin Mints Frosty
Wendy’s is celebrating Girl Scout cookie season with a new Frosty flavor. The Thin Mints Frosty Fusion is a vanilla Frosty mixed with mint flavored cookie crumble sauce and pieces of Thin Mints cookies. You can also get it as a Frosty Swirl without the cookie bits. On the savory side, there’s a new Cheesy Bacon Cheeseburger topped with bacon and cheddar cheese sauce, and a Chicken Tenders Ranch Wrap.
Hardee’s: BBQ Pulled Pork Frisco Burger
There are a couple new burger options at Hardee’s right now. The BBQ Pulled Pork Frisco Burger features a beef patty, smoked pulled pork, American cheese, crispy onions, pickles, and Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce on toasted sourdough bread. There’s also a new Frisco Breakfast Burger for people who want a heavy morning meal. It comes with a beef patty, bacon, fried egg, American cheese, Hash Rounds, and ketchup on sourdough toast. Plus, strawberry lemon biscuits are back.
Sonic: Sonic Smasher
There’s a new burger on the menu at Sonic this month. The Sonic Smasher is made with two smashed, crispy beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, pickles, ketchup, and mayo. Plus, there’s a number of new drinks right now, including strawberry horchata cream slush, strawberry passion fruit refresher, mango peach refresher, and berry citrus refresher.
If you’re in search of more Sonic deals, check out our ranking of the Sonic Value Menu.
Panera: Toasted Caprese Focaccia
There’s a lot new at Panera right now for spring:
- 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
- Chicken Roma Asiago Bagel Stack: grilled chicken, mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, arugula, green goddess dressing, and garlic aioli on an asiago bagel
- 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
- Dubai Style Pistachio Cookie
- Cherry Lime Fresca
- Dragonfruit Sunset Energy Refresher
Del Taco: Jumbo Shrimp Tacos
Del Taco is still serving up fish for seafood season. Jumbo shrimp tacos are back, made with crispy shrimp, cabbage, pico de gallo, and special sauce in a flour tortilla. You can also get a shrimp burrito or beer battered fish tacos. Plus, Big Fat Tacos, with tons of fillings in a toasted flatbread shell, are here.
Popeyes: Shrimp Tackle Box
Seafood is back at Popeyes. You can get fried shrimp in the shrimp Tackle Box with cocktail sauce, a side, and a drink, or get them as a Surf and Turf combo with two chicken strips. Plus the fan favorite fried Flounder Fish Sandwich is back in original or spicy versions.
Chick-fil-A: Jalapeno Ranch Chicken Club
Chick-fil-A has a new sandwich right now. The Jalapeno Ranch Chicken Club is made with your choice of chicken filet topped with pickled jalapenos, pepperjack cheese, caramelized onion candied bacon, lettuce, and tomato on a special ranch-seasoned bun. It also comes with a side of new jalapeno ranch for dipping — which we thought was the best part of the entire sandwich.
Whataburger: Bacon Steakhouse Double
There are a few new items on the menu all the time at Whataburger. The Bacon Steakhouse Double burger has two beef patties, aged cheddar, bacon, crispy fried onions, and steak sauce. There’s also a banana pudding shake and a new strawberry hibiscus Whatafresher drink.
Little Caesars: Four-N-One Stix
Little Caesars has new item that’s perfect for breadstick lovers. The Four-N-One Stix is one big order of breadsticks the six of a large pizza crust topped with four items: bacon, pepperoni, jalapeno, and plain cheese. It comes with Crazy Sauce for dipping, of course.
Jack in the Box: Smashed Jack Sliders
Jack in the Box never lets anyone down who wants new, unusual menu items. Here’s what’s new on the menu this month.
- Smashed Jack Sliders: mini smashed burgers with American cheese, pickles, and sauce
- Sweet Reaper Mozzarella Sticks: sweet and hot mozzarella sticks with ranch dipping sauce
- Dr Pepper Strawberries and Cream Shake: Dr Pepper shake blended with strawberries and cream
Jimmy John’s: Greek and Chicken Gyros
Jimmy John’s is branching out since bringing ovens into its stores. The latest creations in hot sandwiches are Greek and Chicken Gyros. The Greek Gyro has lamb and beef gyro meat with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, and tzatziki sauce wrapped in a warm pita bread, while the chicken version swaps the meat for seasoned chicken. Plus you can get a side of Greek cucumber salad along with it.
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: KFC Snacker
KFC has a new snack-sized sandwich this month. The KFC Snacker is made with one chicken tender in a slider bun with mayo and pickles, plus optional coleslaw or spicy mayo. Get it individually or as part of a new $5, $7, or $9 Box Feast.
Qdoba: Citrus Lime Shrimp
Qdoba, Chipotle’s biggest rival, has brought back a popular protein option for Lent. The citrus lime shrimp is sauteed in a tangy lime sauce. Get it in any entree, including burritos, bowls, and on top of nachos.
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
Plus, there’s also a brand new Clubhouse Pimento Cheese menu as well. The burger or chicken sandwich comes topped with the Shack’s own version of Southern pimento cheese.
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: Alaskan Pollock Fish Tacos and Sandwich
Taco John’s has seafood this month, including a fish sandwich which feels a little weird for a taco chain. The fish tacos are made with breaded Alaskan pollock in a flour tortilla with lettuce, pico de gallo, and Fiesta sauce. You can also get two of those fish strips on a bun with nacho cheese sauce and lettuce.
Bojangles: Salted Caramel Apple Crisp
There’s a new 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: Chicken al Pastor
Chipotle is bringing back one of its most popular proteins earlier this year. Chicken al pastor is a take on pork al pastor spices on the chain’s grilled chicken. It’s marinated with smoky chiles, achiote, and pineapple, then finished with cilantro and lime juice. You can try it topped with a brand new sauce: creamy cilantro lime.
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. Plus, the wildly popular fried walleye is back for Lent.
Jersey Mike’s: Mike’s Hot Italian
Jersey Mike’s doesn’t often get limited time specials, but there’s a new one right now. Mike’s Hot Italian has ham, salami, and pepperoni chopped and grilled, then topped with provolone, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, and pepper relish.
Panda Express: Dynamite Sweet and Sour Chicken
Panda Express has a new entree to choose from this month. Dynamite Sweet and Sour Chicken is made with fried chicken pieces tossed with onions, red bell peppers, and a super spicy sauce that includes Buldak hot sauce, a popular spicy ramen brand.
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.
