Latest news with #CrispyChickenNuggets
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Wendy's quietly brings back unexpected menu item after 8-year hiatus
"Running around like a chicken with its head cut off" perfectly describes the current state of the fast-food sector. To keep up with rivals, prevent falling behind on trends, and incentivize people to dine at their locations while navigating an uncertain economy, fast-food chains have prioritized innovation by constantly developing and launching new menu items. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter A growing chicken trend has recently emerged among fast-food chains, with major players like Chick-fil-A, Yum! Brands' YUM Taco Bell, McDonald's, and Popeyes launching new chicken-based products to dominate the sector. Related: Wendy's adds old-school toys to take on McDonald's Happy Meal It may have all started with Chick-fil-A - since its inception, it has been one of the first chains to focus solely on developing chicken-based menu items. Image source: Brandon Bell/Getty Although other fast-food giants may have had bigger audiences, Chick-fil-A quickly began taking over the market, partly causing big chains like McDonald's (MCD) to decline in sales over the last few years. This chicken trend is so prominent in the industry that McDonald's created three new Global Category Management teams focused on beef, chicken, and beverages/desserts to further specialize innovation within its food products. Related: McDonald's brings back experimental menu item 13 years later Not long after, McDonald's announced the return of its fan-favorite Snack Wrap, which went viral among consumers. Other fast-food rivals followed its lead by unveiling similar items to avoid being left behind by the growing competition. Popeyes launched the new Chicken Wraps, Jack in the Box (JACK) introduced the Jack Wraps, and Taco Bell re-released its Crispy Chicken Nuggets, plus introduced the new Crispy Chicken Tacos and Burritos. All the chicken wraps come with chicken strips and toppings wrapped inside a warm tortilla. Now, Wendy's is entering the chicken race with the launch of its own version. Wendy's (WEN) is bringing back the chicken tenders in a very sneaky way because this menu item is currently being tested across select markets and only at a few locations for a limited time, as reported by @snack_qween on Instagram. No specific locations have been disclosed, since no efforts have been made to promote this unexpected release. Still, if a Wendy's near you happens to have them, customers may order them in three and four-count packages. More Food News: Krispy Kreme brings back fan-favorite menu item after 6 yearsStarbucks' huge new rival opens first US storesMcDonald's menu adds new Happy Meal with collectible toys fans will love Wendy's has had a long history with chicken tenders, first introducing them in 2003 as "Homestyle Chicken Strips." The fast-food chain later discontinued and re-launched various versions in 2007 and 2017, but none managed to stick to the permanent menu for long. It's unclear why Wendy's keeps re-releasing different versions of the chicken tenders, but this is a good sign the company may be trying to perfect them to make them a permanent part of the menu. Although Wendy's is no stranger to releasing chicken tenders, the fast-food chain has labeled this latest launch as a new menu item. This could mean the chicken tenders have been reformulated and improved, which might be why they are not yet available nationwide. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Taco Bell's New Menu Items Turn Heads with Bold Challenge to Chicken Chains
Taco Bell is going all in on crispy chicken this summer with a trio of bold new menu items. Starting June 17, fans can grab a crispy chicken taco for $2.79, a burrito for $5.49, or two crispy chicken strips for $3.99 all featuring Taco Bell's signature twist on fried chicken. Each dish centers on the brand's new all-white meat chicken strips, marinated in jalapeño buttermilk and breaded with tortilla chips and breadcrumbs for a crunchy, zesty bite. These strips made waves earlier this year when the brand re-launched its Crispy Chicken Nuggets for eight weeks in April. That re-release followed a 2024 trial run that sold out in under a week. "The demand for our nuggets was off the charts," said Taylor Montgomery, Taco Bell's Chief Marketing Officer, in a press release. "We're not like every other chicken spot out there—we're doing crispy chicken the only way we know how: full of flavor and unmistakably Taco Bell." The new items also introduce two sauces into the mix: a spicy ranchero made with Anaheim and jalapeño chiles, tomatoes, and garlic, and an avocado ranch for a creamy, cooling option. This move marks another step in Taco Bell's bid to stake out territory in the fast food chicken wars. With competitors like McDonald's recently expanding their lineup with McCrispy Strips and specialty dips, Taco Bell's pivot is clear: give fans something crispy, but keep it unexpected. According to the company, nearly five million Americans tried the crispy nuggets during their debut, and the nuggets were included in almost one in six orders. That success helped fuel the shift toward making crispy chicken a permanent fixture. "We're a taco place doing chicken our own way," said Montgomery. "And like all our best moments, it's a little unexpected—because we've never been about following the rules." With summer heating up and fast food menus getting a spicy upgrade, Taco Bell's crispy chicken drop might just be the flavor shake-up fans didn't know they Bell's New Menu Items Turn Heads with Bold Challenge to Chicken Chains first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 12, 2025
New York Post
18-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Taco Bell cranks up fast-food chicken wars with crispy strips, tacos and burritos — but only for a limited time
Taco Bell's chicken nuggets were just the beginning. The fast-food chain has introduced Crispy Chicken Tacos, Burritos and Strips to its menus for a limited time. 5 The new menu items will feature the same signature tortilla-coated crunch used on Taco Bell's nuggets. Taco Bell 5 Taco Bell's Crispy Chicken Tacos, Burritos and Strips will be available for a limited time. Taco Bell The new menu items will feature the company's signature tortilla-coated crunch used on the Crispy Chicken Nuggets, but this time with a bigger bite as a Crispy Chicken Strip. 'Crispy chicken is having a moment, but our fans made it a movement,' Taylor Montgomery, Chief Marketing Officer at Taco Bell, said in a statement as the battle for fast-food chicken supremacy continues. 5 'Crispy chicken is having a moment, but our fans made it a movement,' Taylor Montgomery, chief marketing officer at Taco Bell, said in a statement. Taco Bell 5 Check out the evolution of Taco Bell's crispy chicken from a tortilla chip to a nugget, strip, taco and burrito. Taco Bell 'So, we decided to bring our sell-out Nuggets recipe to the formats that defined our brand because true innovation means elevating the icons, not replacing them.' Crispy Chicken Tacos will feature the new chicken strip with purple cabbage, lettuce, pico de gallo and shredded cheddar cheese for $2.79. The Crispy Chicken Burrito includes two strips, purple cabbage, lettuce, pico de gallo and cheddar cheese for $5.49. Chicken tacos and burritos will also come with a choice of two new sauces: Spicy Ranchero Sauce or Avocado Ranch Sauce. Taco Bell is also offering an order of two Crispy Chicken Strips on their own for those who don't want the whole package for $3.99. The addition of Chicken Crispy Strips to Taco Bell's menu comes as an apparent fast-food 'wrap' battle is ensuing with chicken strips elsewhere. After years of begging and waiting, McDonald's confirmed that the Snack Wrap will return to restaurants nationwide permanently beginning July 10. 5 The items will be available on menus for a limited time only. M. Suhail – The Snack Wrap will feature one of McDonald's new McCrispy Strips, topped with crisp shredded lettuce and shredded cheese, all wrapped in a soft flour tortilla. Popeyes also announced the addition of Chicken Wraps to its menu earlier this month.
Miami Herald
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Taco Bell menu makes massive new addition to take down McDonald's
Taco Bell likes media and social media attention. That's why the chain always seems to be tinkering with its menu and why it has never limited its offerings to what would be considered traditional Mexican (or at least traditional American take on Mexican). Related: New Starbucks beverage goes after wellness market The Yum Brands (YUM) chain has gone outside those parameters by offering its own take on french fries and chicken nuggets. Those offerings not only get Taco Bell media attention and social media shares, it brings the brand more customers. Kids (and even adults) who have a limited palette and don't eat tacos, burritos, and other Mexican food might eat Taco Bell's Nacho Fries a chicken nuggets. That might help the chain steal some business from McDonald's and the other burger chains. It also could serve as an entryway to Taco Bell's cuisine for people who have never tried it. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Taco Bell's latest offering, however, takes that logic a little further. It's not just venturing outside of its lane, it's adding a menu item that copies a recent McDonald's addition that the chain plans to use to bring back a fan favorite. Now, Taco Bell is offering a similar product that might beat McDonald's at its own game. McDonald's brought back its McCrispy Chicken Strips earlier this summer. That was a prelude to its bringing back its popular Snack Wraps. The chain dropped the Snack Wrap line in 2016 because its sales did not justify the added effort it took in its kitchens to make the product. Franchisees actually pushed for the menu item to be eliminated but customers have clamored for its return since it was dropped. A snack wrap is essentially a basic take on taco using a crispy chicken strip. Now, Taco Bell has brought out its own crispy chicken strips and it's using them in a variety of dishes. "After the breakout success of Crispy Chicken Nuggets, the next move was obvious: take the craveable, tortilla-coated crunch fans loved and pack it into the formats that made Taco Bell famous - tacos and burritos," the chain shared in a press release. The new menu items include: Crispy Chicken Taco ($2.79): A harmonious combination of one perfectly crisped Crispy Chicken Strip layered with purple cabbage, crisp lettuce, pico de gallo and shredded cheddar cheese with the choice of the all-new Spicy Ranchero Sauce or Avocado Ranch Chicken Burrito ($5.49)*: A full-sized burrito that won't leave fans hungry for more featuring two Crispy Chicken Strips surrounded by a bed of purple cabbage, crisp lettuce, pico de gallo, cheddar cheese with the choice of the all-new Spicy Ranchero Sauce or Avocado Ranch Chicken Strips (2 for $3.99)*: The fan-favorite formula from Crispy Chicken Nuggets is back and bigger than ever. Each Crispy Chicken Strip is specifically designed for extra crispy and crunchy Ranchero Sauce: The new Spicy Ranchero is a creamy sauce made with Anaheim and jalapeño chiles, tomatoes, garlic, and onion, offering a hint of spice that's perfect for dunking or Ranch Sauce: Enjoy your crispy chicken with the classic Avocado Ranch Sauce, a creamy and zesty ranch with a hint of avocado. Prices, of course, may vary by market. Yum Brands calls Taco Bell one of its "twin growth engines" along with KFC International. Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs shared some news about the chain during his company's first-quarter earnings call. "First, Taco Bell U.S. delivered a staggering 9% increase in same-store sales, an impressive achievement, especially against the backdrop of soft industry trends. Notably, this quarter, Taco Bell saw a significant expansion in consumer penetration, reflecting our efforts to elevate our positioning and broaden our relevance, which helped us to grow traffic low-single digits," he said. He believes that an increased investment in technology has been key to that growth. "Taco Bell's digital momentum is also accelerating. Byte by Yum! has reduced system limitations, empowering Taco Bell's world class advertising team to push creative boundaries. One area in marketing with enormous potential is the expansion of AI driven decisioning to enable personalized experiences for consumers," he added. Related: Pepsi has discontinued a bunch of soda flavors Gibbs shared an example of that: "We are testing the use of these tools to enable us to deliver one-to-one communication to our consumers. Recall at the Taco Bell Consumer Day, the team shared that they expect to generate over $225,000 in additional per store sales by 2030 or an approximate 10% increase to AUVs through expanded digital channels and loyalty membership," he said. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
USA Today
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Celebrate Father's Day 2025 with 6 free food deals and discounts on Sunday, June 15
Celebrate Father's Day 2025 with 6 free food deals and discounts on Sunday, June 15 Hey! It's Father's Day 2025! A day to celebrate all things with dads and in tribute to fathers everywhere past, present and future. Sending you all our love to you all out there! If you're here, you might be looking for some discounts and food deals for Sunday, June 15, 2025 so that you can give your father some free stuff or food at a lower price than usual. If that's the case, you've come to the right place! Here's a little look at some deals we saw at some chains around the United States for you all to enjoy. Have a great day! Buffalo Wild Wings You can get 20 wings and fries for just $19.99 when you order online or on the app. Wendy's You can get a buy one and get one free sandwich by using their app. Shake Shack You can get a buy one, get one Double Shackburger deal if you use the code "DADMODE" on the app or site. Burger King You can do a BOGO deal on Whoppers through the app or site. Taco Bell If you use their app, you can get a Nacho Fries for $1 if you buy some Crispy Chicken Nuggets. Dunkin' You can get three times the amount of points on orders of half-dozen, dozen donuts and Munchkins.
