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.
1. Burger King: Jack-O-Lantern Whopper
Burger King is fully decked out for Halloween with fun new menu items. The Jack-O-Lantern Whopper is a regular Whopper but on a naturally orange-colored bun. There’s also Vampire Nuggets, which are chicken nuggets in the shape of bats and fangs. For something completely new, try a Franken-Candy Sundae, topped with purple fudge syrup, Oreo crumbles, and purple and green chocolate popping candy.
2. Pizza Hut: Crispy Chicken Pizza
Pizza Hut is putting fried chicken on its pizzas. There are two crispy chicken pizzas to choose from: Nashville Hot with a peppery sauce, onions, and ranch drizzle, and a chicken, bacon, and ranch variety.
3. Taco Bell: Decades Y2K Menu
Taco Bell has released a new Decades menu, and people are thrilled it’s full of returning cult favorites. Here’s everything on Taco Bell’s Y2K menu.
- Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco: a beef taco with lettuce and cheese inside a crunchy Cool Ranch Doritos flavored shell
- Double Decker Taco: a crunchy beef taco with a soft flour tortilla wrapped around it, held in place by a layer of refried beans
- 7-Layer Burrito: a popular vegetarian burrito based on 7-layer dip filled with rice, refried beans, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, tomatoes, and lettuce
- Chili Cheese Burrito: chili and shredded cheese inside a flour tortilla
- Caramel Apple Empanadas: a filling of diced apples and caramel sauce inside a deep-fried pastry crust
4. McDonald’s: Snack Wraps
The moment you’ve all been waiting for is here: Snack Wraps are back at McDonald’s. The cult-like following of these long-discontinued wraps is fierce, so people are glad they’re back. They come in ranch and spicy versions, and contain McCrispy Strips, cheese, and lettuce. Plus, there’s a new Gold Sauce that’s inspired by South Carolina barbecue and made with mustard, vinegar, and spices. Try it in a Snack Wrap or on chicken sandwiches.
5. Arby’s: Steak Nuggets
Move over, chicken, because there’s a new nugget on Arby’s menu: steak. That’s right, the chain is going for yet another unusual meat item this month: steak nuggets. The bite-sized pieces of steak are seasoned with garlic and pepper and smoked. You can get them just like nuggies with barbecue dipping sauce, on a sandwich with havarti, crispy onions, pickles, and mayo, or in a bowl on top of mac and cheese.
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6. Dunkin’: Sabrina’s Strawberry Daydream Refresher
The fall menu is in full swing at Dunkin’. Here’s everything that’s new right now.
- Cereal ‘N Milk Latte: espresso with cereal milk for a marshmallow-cereal flavor
- Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte: flavors of pumpkin, vanilla, and fall spices, finished with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and cinnamon sugar
- Iced Pumpkin Loaf: pumpkin and vanilla flavored pound cake topped with cream cheese icing
- Chipotle Loaded Hash Browns: hash browns drizzled with chipotle aioli and topped with crumbled bacon
- Maple Sugar Bacon: sweet, snackable maple-flavored candied bacon
7. Wendy’s: Tendys
Wendy’s is debuting chicken tenders this month, 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’s 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’s options like strawberry Pop-Tarts, brownie batter, and Oreos.
8. Papa Johns: Papa Dippa
There’s a lot of dipping going on at Papa Johns right now as well. The Papa Dippa pizza is a pepperoni pizza cut into 16 strips. Get it with classic garlic dipping sauce, or try one of the new flavors: Caesar-style roasted garlic parmesan, garlic hot honey, or creamy garlic pesto.
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9. 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, there’s a new Maple Cookie Shake, and here are the current limited-time Blizzard flavors.
- Pumpkin Pie
- Choco-dipped Strawberry
- Caramel Toffee Cookie
- Oreo Reese’s
10. Hardee’s: BLT Frisco
There’s a new burger option at Hardee’s right now. The BLT Frisco is a variation on the chain’s popular Frisco burger, made with a beef patty, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on grilled sourdough toast. There are also sweet maple biscuits for breakfast.
11. 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
- Salted Caramel Toffee Iced Coffee: cold brew blended with rich caramel and buttery toffee, topped with cold foam and toffee pieces
- BBQ Ranch Crispy Tender Wrap: chicken tender, shredded cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, and barbecue ranch sauce in a tortilla
- Trick or Treat Blasts: vanilla or chocolate soft serve blended with tons of Heath, M&Ms, and Oreos
If you’re in search of more Sonic deals, check out our ranking of the Sonic Value Menu.
12. Panera: Ciabatta Dipper
There’s a lot new at Panera right now as fall is in full swing.
- Harvest Medley Chicken Salad: mixed greens, arugula, farro, chicken, mandarin oranges, feta, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, pecans, and balsamic vinaigrette
- French Ciabatta Dipper: sliced marinated steak, provolone, asiago, and garlic aioli toasted on ciabatta with a french onion soup dipper
- Chicken Pesto Ciabatta Dipper: grilled chicken, provolone, parmesan, and pesto toasted on ciabatta with a tomato soup dipper
- Autumn Squash Soup: creamy butternut and pumpkin soup with a hint of curry
- Black Bean Soup: seasoned with cumin, garlic, oregano, and lemon
- Hearty Fireside Chili: beef and bean chili with fire-roasted tomatoes and green chiles
13. 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.
14. Popeyes: Hot Ones Menu
Popeyes has teamed up with the immensely popular interview shot Hot Ones to bring a hot sauce-laden menu to its restaurants. There are four items on the menu.
- Sizzlin’ Sriracha Dippers (Mild): pickled garlic sriracha-marinated Chicken Dippers, served with ranch and a Hot Ones Sriracha packet
- Smokin’ Rojo Sandwich (Medium): crispy chicken sandwich topped with Hot Ones’ Los Calientes Rojo spread and tangy pickles
- Darin’ Dab Ghost Wings (Hot): classic wings (bone-in or boneless) dusted with Ghost Pepper dry rub, served with Hot Ones Last Dab ranch
- The Last Dab (Extremely Hot): a packet of the show’s most iconic and hottest sauce
15. Chick-fil-A: Pretzel Cheddar Club Sandwich
There’s a new sandwich on the menu at Chick-fil-A. The Pretzel Cheddar Club tops the chain’s signature chicken filet with bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and Dijon mustard sauce on a pretzel bun. There’s also a new carbonated drink: cherry berry and Sprite.
16. Zaxby’s: Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadilla
Zaxby’s is feeling Tex-Mex with its latest menu items: giant quesadillas. The chicken bacon ranch version includes three fried chicken fingers, bacon, cheddar jack cheese, and southwest ranch sauce in a flour tortilla. There’s also a chicken fajita version that swaps bacon for grilled peppers and onions. Plus, chicken-finger tacos and lemon-pepper wings are back.
17. Whataburger: Bacon Wrangler Double
There’s a new burger debuting on the menu this month at Whataburger. The Bacon Wrangler Double has two beef patties, bacon, monterrey jack and American cheese, crispy onion strings, pickles, and chipotle aioli. There’s also a new Dr. Pepper blackberry shake for dessert and a Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich.
18. 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. You can also get the same toppings in Crazy Puff form.
19. Jack in the Box: Monster Munchie Meal
Jack in the Box never lets anyone down who wants new, unusual menu items. Here’s what’s new on the menu this month.
- Monster Munchie Meal: two Monster Tacos, mozzarella sticks, chicken nuggets, curly fries, and a drink in a color-changing cup
- Sourdough Scrambler: a breakfast sandwich on toasted sourdough with scrambled eggs, cheese, and either bacon or sausage
- Monster Cookie Shake: a shake blended with Chips Ahoy and Oreo cookies
- Monster Churro: a 10-inch churro with cinnamon sugar cream filling
20. 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
- Three Cheese Pizza Sandwich: mozzarella, provolone, parmesan, marinara sauce, and basil-oregano blend
- Sicilian Pizza Sandwich: ham, salami, capocollo, mozzarella, marinara sauce, and basil-oregano blend
21. Noodles & Company: Bulgogi Steak Mac and Cheese
Noodles & Co. has a new dish this month, and it sounds great. The Korean-inspired Bulgogi Steak Mac and Cheese has a base of creamy cheddar-jack mac topped with seared steak, sweet and spicy gochujang sauce, scallions, and crispy onions.
22. Subway: Fresh Fit Menu
Subway has released a new lineup of subs that all have at least 20 grams of protein, less than 500 calories, and a full serving of vegetables on each one.
- Grilled Chicken & Avocado: grilled chicken with smashed avocado, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and Baja Chipotle sauce
- Ham & Turkey Stacker: roasted turkey, ham, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and yellow mustard
- Seasoned Steak & Avocado: steak slices, smashed avocado, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, and red onions
- Turkey & Ranch Delite: turkey stacked with lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, red onions, and Peppercorn Ranch sauce
23. KFC: Original Honey BBQ
KFC has brought back its Original Honey BBQ sauce, a fan favorite. You can get your bone-in chicken, tenders, or chicken sandwiches coated in it. Plus, the chain has brought back potato wedges, arguably superior to the fries that replaced them.
24. Qdoba: Habanero Lime Steak
Qdoba, Chipotle’s biggest rival, has brought back a popular protein option. Habanero lime steak is grilled beef tossed in a spicy habanero sauce with lime juice and cilantro. Get it as part of any entree at the chain for a limited time. Plus, Loaded Tortilla Soup is back just in time for chilly weather.
25. Shake Shack: French Onion Soup Burger
There’s a whole new French onion soup-inspired menu at Shake Shack this month, including a new side. Here’s what’s new.
- French Onion Soup Burger: Gruyere, caramelized onions, crispy onions, and roasted garlic parmesan aioli
- French Onion ‘Shroom Burger: fried portobello stuffed with Muenster and cheddar, topped with caramelized onions and roasted garlic parmesan aioli
- French Onion Shack Stack: the burger and fried cheese-stuffed portobello together on one bun
- Onion Rings: beer-battered rings made with sweet onions, with your choice of sauce
- Parmesan Garlic Fries: fries tossed with parmesan, served with roasted garlic parmesan aioli
Plus, the current limited-time shake options include Oreo cookie funnel cake, banana pudding, s’mores, and the trendy Dubai chocolate pistachio.
26. 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.
27. Taco John’s: Meat and Potato Burritos
Taco John’s has two new burritos on the menu this month. The Spicy Beef & Jalapeno Burrito includes ground beef, Potatoes Oles, nacho cheese, hot sauce, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and pickled jalapenos. The Crispy Chicken Bacon Ranch Burrito is stuffed with fried chicken, Potatoes Oles, bacon, ranch, lettuce, and tomatoes. There’s also a new Jr. Crispy Chicken Wrap.
28. Starbucks: Fall Menu
Fall is peak Starbucks season, thanks to the PSL. Here’s what’s on the menu this year.
- Pumpkin Spice Latte: the OG fall coffee, in hot or iced
- Pecan Oat Milk Cortado: three shots of blonde espresso, pecan-flavored syrup, and steamed oat milk
- Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai: chai tea latte with pumpkin cream cold foam
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew: cold brew with vanilla and topped with pumpkin cold foam
- Italian Sausage Egg Bites: crumbled Italian sausage, eggs, sub-dried tomato pesto, basil, and jack cheese
29. 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.
30. 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.
31. Culver’s: Roasted Garlic and Bacon Pub Burger
There’s a new Butterburger on the menu at Culver’s this month. The Roasted Garlic and Bacon Pub Burger tops the chain’s smashed burger patties with cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and creamy garlic mayo on a pretzel bun. On the sweet side, there’s a Pumpkin Spice Shake and a Salted Caramel Pumpkin Concrete Mixer.
32. 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.
33. Panda Express: Crispy Sesame Shrimp and Beef
Surf and turf has come to the menu at Panda Express. It’s made with tempura shrimp and crispy beef strips cooked together with bell peppers, string beans, and a slightly spicy sesame sauce.
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