Burger King adds value sandwiches
MIAMI – The Rodeo Crispy Chicken and Rodeo Burger are debuting on Burger King’s new King Deals Value Menu for $1 each.
The Rodeo Sandwiches feature a crispy chicken fillet or beef patty topped with sweet and spicy barbecue sauce and onion rings on a sesame seed bun.
The value menu has breakfast, lunch and dinner options that start at a $1 price point. Items include chicken nuggets, spicy crispy chicken sandwich, double cheeseburger and crispy chicken wraps.
The Rodeo Sandwiches are available nationwide for a limited time.
Egg-white sandwich pops up at Jack in the Box
SAN DIEGO — An egg white and turkey breakfast sandwich is debuting at Jack in the Box. With 250 calories and 6 grams of fat, the sandwich includes egg whites, grilled turkey, tomato and American cheese on a classic bun. Any breakfast sandwich offered at the fast-food chain may be customized to include egg whites at no additional cost.
Other better-for-you options at Jack in the Box include blueberry oatmeal, a grilled chicken salad and apple bites.
The fast-food chain also has added sweet potato waffle fries. Described as “crispy, sweet and savory,” the Crisscut Sweet Potato Fries are available for a limited time.
Buffalo chicken debuts at Popeyes
ATLANTA — Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is launching Bayou Buffalo Wicked Chicken for a limited time. Flavored with a Louisiana-style buffalo marinade, thin strips of all-white meat chicken are tossed in a Bayou Buffalo sauce, fried and served with Popeyes’ new bleu cheese dipping sauce, fries and a biscuit for $3.99 through January 26.
Clean-label oatmeal launched for schools
HARRISON, OHIO — JTM Food Group is introducing steel-cut oatmeal with brown sugar for the School Breakfast Program, which provides morning meals for students in need. Available in bulk bags for cafeteria-style serving as well as individually-portioned bowls, each serving of oatmeal provides one whole grain credit, per 2014 school nutrition standards, and contains only three ingredients: steel-cut oats, water and brown sugar.
“Reports from the School Nutrition Association have shown that bus schedules, students arriving late, and early school start times have limited participation in traditional, sit-in-the-cafeteria breakfast programs,” said Brian Hofmeier, vice-president of education sales. “The trends are showing that serving breakfast in the classroom makes kids more likely to eat and focus on the day ahead.”
El Pollo Loco rolls out reduced-calorie meals
COSTA MESA, CALIF. — Five new meals under 500 calories are rolling out at El Pollo Loco, each featuring citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken breast, slow-simmered seasoned black beans and avocado.
The Mango Grilled Tostada also includes chopped lettuce blend with sweet mango salsa in a whole wheat tortilla. The Black Bean Bowl has steamed broccoli florets, pico de gallo and cotija cheese. The Avocado Salad features steamed broccoli florets, pico de gallo, cojita cheese and a light creamy dressing. The Avocado Burrito has crispy cabbage, poblano salsa and pico de gallo wrapped in a whole-wheat tortilla and grilled to order. The Mango Taco Plate has crispy green cabbage, pico de gallo and mango salsas and fresh cilantro wrapped in a warm white corn tortilla and served with a side salad.
“We know keeping those New Year’s resolutions are a challenge, and our calorie-counting customers want and deserve more than just a salad when they go out to eat,” said Ed Valle, chief marketing officer of El Pollo Loco. “El Pollo Loco has long been recognized for healthier options. Our new 5 Under 500 Calories Menu extends those offerings to give our guests more choices at a caloric count they can feel good about.”
The items are available a la carte or as part of a combo meal with a small drink for $5.99.
KFC adds crunch to boneless chicken
LOUISVILLE, KY. — KFC is introducing an Extra Crispy variety of its boneless chicken for a limited time. The item is available in a to-go cup, two-piece combo or as part of a 10-piece bucket.
The company launched its Original Recipe boneless chicken as a permanent menu item in April.
Jamba Juice expands smoothies, juices
EMERYVILLE, CALIF. — A new Whole Food Nutrition line of smoothies and more fresh-squeezed juice offerings are debuting at Jamba Juice.
Whole Food Nutrition smoothies are made with such ingredients as kale, carrots, chia seeds and Greek yogurt, with 10 to 14 grams of protein per serving. Varieties include Kale-ribbnean Breeze, with mangos, kale, passion-mango juice, Greek yogurt and chia seeds; PB Chocolate Love, featuring chocolate, peanut butter, bananas, milk and a whole-grain booster; and Carrot Orange Fusion, with orange juice, carrots, Greek yogurt, soymilk, mangos, bananas and chia seeds.
Jamba’s fresh-squeezed juices are made to order with such fruits and vegetables as kale, apple, pineapple, carrots, beets and orange.
Cheesecake donuts hit Krispy Kreme
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Cheesecake donuts are available for a limited time at Krispy Kreme in two varieties: caramel and chocolate. The caramel cheesecake donut features a yeast shell filled with a creamy cheesecake filling, topped with caramel icing and graham cracker crumbles. The chocolate cheesecake donut has a chocolate cheesecake filling topped with chocolate icing and brownie crumbles.
Turkey tacos trot out at Del Taco
LAKE FOREST, CALIF. — Marking its Mexican fast-food chain debut, ground turkey stars in the newest tacos from Del Taco.
With 33% less fat than the chain’s seasoned beef, the lean, seasoned ground turkey is paired with grated cheddar cheese, lettuce and pico de gallo in a crunchy corn or warm flour tortilla. Each taco has 150 calories.
In addition to the Turkey Taco, the Del Taco has added a Turkey CrunchTada Tostada, which includes slow-cooked beans, tangy taco sauce, lettuce and grated cheddar cheese on a crunchy corn shell.
The tacos are available for $1.29 each.
Baskin-Robbins introduces popcorn flavor
CANTON, MASS. — Movie Theater Popcorn ice cream is popping up at Baskin-Robbins for a limited time. Inspired by awards show season, the sweet-meets-salty scoop features popcorn-flavored ice cream and crispy pieces of butter popcorn with a salty-caramel ribbon.
The flavor is available for a limited time in a cup or cone or as part of a waffle bowl sundae with caramel praline topping, whipped cream, a cherry and chopped almonds.
Dunkin’ expands better-for-you menu
CANTON, MASS. — Dunkin’ Donuts is expanding its DDSMART menu of better-for-you options with a sliced turkey breakfast sandwich and a whole wheat bagel.
With 310 calories, the sandwich has three slices of turkey, an egg and a slice of reduced-fat cheddar cheese on the chain’s new multigrain flatbread. The sandwich is also available as a wrap, served in a warm flour tortilla. Additionally, any breakfast sandwich may be served on the new multigrain flatbread.
The new whole wheat bagel has 320 calories and 60 grams of whole grains.
“We know that our guests are increasingly health-conscious, and are looking for a full selection of choices that satisfy their hunger and fit into their lifestyle,” said John Costello, president of global marketing and innovation at Dunkin' Brands. “Ever since we launched our DDSMART menu more than five years ago, we have been steadily expanding our better-for-you offerings. We are pleased to begin the New Year with new and unique DDSMART items like the sliced turkey breakfast sandwich, and we look forward to continuing to explore ways to meet the needs of our guests and provide even more options throughout 2014.”