“Swicy” menu items continue to trend.
Cracker Barrel has added bee sting chicken tenders and the bee sting chicken sandwich. The menu additions both feature the company’s sweet-heat honey glaze, which is formulated from a blend of flavors such as honey, Buffalo sauce and Southern seasonings, according to the company.
Chipotle began product testing for its chipotle honey chicken at approximately 80 locations across the Nashville and Sacramento markets. The menu innovation features chicken marinated in smoked adobo peppers, seasoned with a Mexican spice blend and finished with honey. The swicy chicken previously was taste tested by consumers and “achieved the highest marks of any chicken innovation that Chipotle has sensory tested,” according to the company.
“Consumers have clearly shown their enthusiasm for sweet heat flavor combinations,” Chris Brandt, chief brand officer for Chipotle. “We have had tremendous success with 'swicy' innovations and believe Chipotle Honey Chicken will capture fans.”
Casey’s has developed the jalapeño popper pizza inspired by the popular football season appetizer. The pizza combines Philadelphia-branded whipped cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, bacon, mild pickled jalapeños and a drizzle of Mike’s Hot Honey. Casey’s swicy pizza is available in Casey’s stores by the slice or online as a whole pizza.
“Casey’s new jalapeño popper pizza is the latest evidence of our promise to lead the way in unexpected food innovations,” said Tom Brennan, chief merchandising officer at Casey’s.
Chick-fil-A has re-released the honey pepper pimento chicken sandwich. The limited-time offering comes with a Chick-fil-A chicken filet topped with pimento cheese, honey, pickled jalapeños and a toasted bun. The company has also launched a swicy variety, the spicy honey pepper pimento chicken sandwich, using the same ingredients and a spicy chicken filet.
Culver’s unveiled hot honey cheese curds, a limited time offering innovation for heat seeking consumers. The product puts a hot honey breading twist on Culver’s existing cheese curd recipe, according to the company. Hot honey cheese curds will be available beginning on Oct. 15, National Cheese Curd Day.
“We've championed cheese curds for decades, and we're always looking for ways to deliver uniquely delicious curd experiences to our guests,” said Julie Fussner, chief marketing officer at Culver's.
Convenience chain 7-Eleven launched a mangonada donut. Inspired by the Mexican drink of the same name, the offering combines a honeymooner donut and a mixture of mango and chamoy fillings, all topped with Tajin.
“We're always on the lookout for the latest trends to bring exciting new additions to the menu, including diving into sweet and spicy flavors with the new mangonada donut,” said Dennis Phelps, senior vice president, merchandising (vault and proprietary beverages) at 7-Eleven.
Applebee’s expanded its menu with a breaded chicken sandwich. The product comes in three varieties, a bacon ranch crispy chicken sandwich, a bacon crispy chicken sandwich and a sweet-and-spicy crispy chicken sandwich, which features a hand-breaded chicken breast covered in a sweet Asian Chile sauce.
Dunkin’ has created a series of spicy menu items and summer-inspired products. The hot honey bacon sandwich, hot honey bacon wraps and hot honey bacon were developed in collaboration with Mike’s Hot Honey to bring consumers a blend of sweet and savory flavors.
Nov
2024
Dec
Halloween-inspired products are launching across the retail and foodservice sectors.
Limited-time offerings debut across foodservice menus.