Panera Bread has expanded its menu with three limited-time offerings. Inspired by Italian flavors, the items include the Italian steak and mozzarella sandwich, with marinated steak, mozzarella, tomato, arugula, basil, garlic aioli and Italian dressing; the Italian market salad, with mixed greens, arugula, soppressata, shredded asiago cheese, basil, salt, pepper, chickpeas, croutons and Italian dressing; and a strawberry basil lemonade fresca.

Wendy’s has partnered with Grupo Bimbo brand Takis to create a line of spicy menu items. The lineup centers on the Takis Fuego Chicken Sandwich, a spicy chicken filet topped with crushed Takis Fuego chips, chili lime sauce, cheddar cheese sauce and a corn spread. The collaboration also includes Fuego Fries, Wendy’s traditional fries tossed in chili lime seasoning.

“At Wendy’s, we know how to keep things spicy, and we love serving up fresh, famous collaborations that tap into consumers passion points, which made this partnership with Takis a no brainer,” said Lindsay Radkoski, chief marketing officer, US, for The Wendy's Co. “By joining forces with such an iconic and beloved snacking brand, we’re turning up the heat and flavor.”

Southern-inspired fast-food chain Bojangles has expanded its breakfast menu with the addition of the breakfast Bo-Rito. The offering features sausage, eggs, Bo-Rounds potatoes, Monterey Jack cheese and sausage gravy wrapped in a flour tortilla.

“Breakfast has always been a big part of who we are at Bojangles, and the new Bo-Rito is a fun new way for our fans to satisfy their breakfast cravings,” said Marshall Scarborough, vice president of menu and culinary innovation. “It’s a full-size breakfast, all wrapped up in a legit tortilla, making it the perfect vehicle for eating on the go, at an affordable price.”

Red Lobster has unveiled a new line of seasonal seafood boils. The boils include varieties like the mariner’s boil, with a lobster tail, shrimp, snow crab legs, corn and red potatoes, and the sailor’s boil, with shrimp, smoked sausage, corn and red potatoes.

Yum! Brands subsidiary Taco Bell has debuted its refrescas beverage menu nationwide after successful market tests. The menu features agua refrescas, which contain freeze-dried fruit pieces and green tea, in strawberry passionfruit, dragon fruit berry and mango peach flavors; strawberry lime refresca freezes for a frozen twist; and a Rockstar Energy refresca collaboration which includes 200 mgs of caffeine per serving, with flavors like pineapple lime and tropical punch.

Sonic Drive-In and Grillo’s Pickles have partnered to develop a line of pickle-themed menu items. The Big Dill Sonic Smasher combines Sonic’s smashed burger format with dill pickle-seasoned cucumbers, dilly ranch and Grillo’s Pickle Chips. The Picklerita Slush features lime, pickle juice, pickle juice flavor bubbles and a Grillo’s Pickle Chip. Sonic is additionally offering its tater tots and groovy fries with Grillo’s pickle seasoning.

“Pickle-flavored menu items are trending, but not all pickle meals are created equal,” said Barb Williams, vice president of marketing and strategy at Sonic. “Every item in the Big Dill Meal is curated to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience and showcase what we do best: bold, unexpected and unapologetically pickle-forward flavor.”

Whataburger has launched Whatafreshers, a line of drinks marketed as premium craft beverages. The first Whatafreshers offering is the prickle pear raspberry Whatafresher, blending the flavors of lemon, raspberry and pear.

“Whatafreshers are artfully blended to deliver a full sensory experience — bold ingredients, radiant colors, and cooling revitalization all in one cup,” said Debbie Stroud, president and chief executive officer of Whataburger.

Hardee’s has launched the barbecue pulled pork frisco sandwich. The offering from the CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. subsidiary boasts a mix of Angus beef with slow smoked pulled pork, American cheese, crispy onions, pickles and Sweet Baby Ray’s Sweet ‘n Spicy barbecue sauce in between slices of sourdough bread.