Latest news with #MichaelDellaPenna
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
You can thank Gen Z for new drink options from McDonald's, Starbucks
Gen Z famously doesn't drink much alcohol, but they still love a cold and tasty beverage. Young consumers' preference for unique, non-alcoholic drinks with eye-catching flavors is driving a surge in new offerings from chains like McDonald's, Starbucks, and Taco Bell. So, you can thank Gen Z for the unusual drink options coming to a fast-food restaurant near you. Think pickle-flavored slushies, coffee drinks with popping boba balls, and soda with dried fruit on the bottom. "As Gen Z is drinking less alcohol, they're looking for drinks that they can customize and get excited about," Michael Della Penna, chief strategy officer at the digital advertising research firm, InMarket, which publishes regular reports on fast-casual restaurant customer loyalty, told Business Insider. He added: "We've seen this across a bunch of different chains, and this trend is just another example of capitalizing on that interest and that buzz and that viral component that these drinks bring." Iced beverages from fast food chains saw 9.6% sales growth in 2024, outpacing burgers — and McDonald's now sees a $100 billion global opportunity, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday. McDonald's will test-launch its line of "Dirty Sodas," with add-ins like dried fruit and flavored syrups, in hundreds of stores nationwide beginning in September, the outlet reported. Starbucks last week launched its own "Secret Menu" of drinks, making custom add-ons easier to order with four new offerings pre-programmed into the app. Taco Bell, KFC, and Burger King are also rolling out their own new drink plays, making customizable — and usually cold — beverages the new marketing frontier for many national brands, Della Penna told BI. "Cold drinks, in particular, are hot right now," Della Penna said. "And the personalization aspect of it is aligned to how Gen Z orders their Starbucks and what they want to see when they walk into a McDonald's or a Dunkin' or another quick service restaurant: the ability to actually create their own drink in a way that they love and identify and come back to time after time." Recent examples that have been buzzy online include Sonic's Pickle Juice Slush — surprisingly, not the chain's foray into pickle-flavored slushies — and KFC's new Mountain Dew Sweet Lightning Peaches & Cream Soda, which was released June 9. "In the age where everything is visual, the ability to put something up on social media that is unique — and comment about it and get your friends to comment about it — is how that engagement happens with Gen Z," Della Penna said. Bright colors are particularly important for turning a drink into a conversation starter or viral social media moment, Della Penna said. And as far as flavors go? "The crazier, the better."
Business Insider
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
I tried McDonald's long-anticipated Snack Wraps, and they were completely worth the wait
McDonald's Snack Wraps have made their big comeback after being discontinued in 2016. Fans have been begging for their return, and I understand why. I tried both flavors — I preferred the new spicy version, but also liked the ranch Snack Wrap. McDonald's Snack Wraps are back, and they're just as good as we remembered. One of the most highly anticipated fast-food releases of the year, McDonald's Snack Wraps returned to nationwide menus on July 10. They're available in two different flavors and cost $2.99 each, excluding tax and fees. The wraps are made with the chain's new chicken tenders, which launched in May, plus lettuce, shredded cheese, and either ranch or the chain's new spicy-pepper sauce. The Snack Wraps disappeared from many menus in 2016, before being officially discontinued by the chain in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to reduce menu offerings. A 2020 petition to bring back the wraps gained more than 18,000 signatures, proving fans' hunger for their return. "Consumers are facing endless uncertainty today, whether it be tariffs or inflation," Michael Della Penna, chief strategy officer at InMarket, which publishes a quarterly report on fast-casual restaurant customer loyalty and restaurant productivity, told Business Insider. "Returning to classic favorites like the Snack Wrap or the McRib, which McDonald's brought back last winter, gives customers a chance to go back to the days when they enjoyed older menu items, creating more excitement around visiting," Penna continued. I tried both new flavors to see if they're worth the hype and the years of fans begging for them to return. I arrived at my local McDonald's just as they began serving lunch. There were no signs outside advertising the new Snack Wraps, but luckily, I've known they were coming for weeks. The McDonald's was pretty busy considering it was still early in the day. Taking a quick look around the restaurant, I couldn't see anyone else chowing down on the new Snack Wraps. Most people seemed to be finishing up their breakfast. Others waited for their pickup orders. I placed my order at one of the kiosks, which advertised that the Snack Wrap was back. The Snack Wraps are sold separately for $2.99 each but are also available as a combo meal, which includes two wraps — either the same flavor or one of each — fries, and a drink. "The value wars continue," Penna told BI. "The return of the Snack Wrap not only checks the nostalgia box, but with its price tag of $2.99, it leans into the fact that consumers are increasingly shopping for value." At home, I opened up the bag to find two neatly wrapped packages. Both wraps are made with McDonald's new chicken tenders. McDonald's launched its new McCrispy Strips on May 5, marking the first time chicken strips have been on the menu nationwide since the pandemic. Snack Wraps were also officially cut from menus due to menu simplification at the start of the pandemic. The spicy Snack Wrap features a new spicy-pepper sauce. This is the newest iteration of the Snack Wrap. When the item first left the menu in 2016, it was available with a ranch or honey-mustard sauce. When I peeked inside the wrap, there was a generous amount of sauce slathered on the chicken tender, cheese, and shredded lettuce. The chicken tender was crispy and juicy, balanced out by the spicy sauce. The lettuce was fresh, and overall I was impressed by the size of these wraps. Despite being snack-sized, I found one filling enough for a quick and easy lunch. The spicy sauce did pack a punch — it didn't leave my mouth tingling from the heat, but it had enough kick to justify the spicy name. I also enjoyed the ranch version of the Snack Wrap. The ranch version tasted lighter, but still had a solid amount of flavor. The creamy ranch balanced out the fresh-tasting lettuce and the crispy chicken tender. I'm happy to see the Snack Wrap back on the menu at McDonald's. For a fast — and relatively healthy — lunch, these wraps hit all the right notes. From the low price point to the crispy chicken and diverse flavor options, I can see why fans have been begging for their return for years. In a time when fast-food customers are inundated with limited-time-only collabs and out-there flavor profiles like pickle-glazed wings or Takis-covered chicken sandwiches, sometimes going back to basics is best.
