Applebee's Reintroduces the Big Easy Menu featuring New Bayou Shrimp Bowl and Big Easy Burger

Applebee's has reintroduced its Big Easy Menu, capturing the bold Bayou flavors of New Orleans. Specials start at $11.99 and are available for a limited time.

This year, Applebee's has unveiled its NEW Big Easy Burger and NEW Bayou Shrimp Bowl. The menu also includes fan favorites like Applebee’s Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp Skillet, Bourbon Street Steak, and the Bourbon Street Mushroom Swiss Burger.

The NEW Bayou Shrimp Bowl features blackened shrimp, smoky Andouille sausage, Spanish rice, garlicky green...

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Footprint Expands as JRI Acquires HCI Hospitality

JRI Hospitality has announced the acquisition of HCI Hospitality, a multi-brand restaurant company. This strategic move significantly boosts JRI's portfolio, particularly with HCI's Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers restaurants. Previously managing over 88 units across 15 states, JRI will now oversee more than 130 Freddy's locations spanning 18 states.

Founder and CEO of JRI Hospitality, Jason Ingermanson, highlighted the mutual values shared between the two companies. "The acquisition of HCI is a unique opportunity to bring two great teams together," he said. "Their reputation...

Sonny's BBQ Celebrates Spring with a New Seasonal Menu That's "Worth the Mess"

As the seasons shift and warmer days return, Sonny's BBQ is giving guests even more reasons to gather with the launch of its Spring Menu, available starting today at all Sonny's locations nationwide.

This limited-time lineup blends vibrant seasonal flavors with Sonny's signature slow-smoked barbecue, delivering craveable comfort with a fresh twist. From bold new sauces to indulgent sandwiches and shareable favorites, the seasonal menu celebrates bright flavors and smoky classics alike, with each dish proving...

KFC Introduces $20 Build a Bucket and Brings Back the Twister

KFC have announced the return of its beloved Twister and the debut of the $20 Build a Bucket.

Melissa Cash, Chief Marketing Officer for KFC US said, "In today's market, value can't just mean price, and portability can't come at the expense of satisfaction. We brought back the original Twister fans love as a wrap that stands on its own, now with even more ways to customize it, including a bacon option."

Back by popular demand, the Twister has...

Pei Wei Asian Kitchen Turns Up the Heat in Lake Nona

Pei Wei Asian Kitchen is planting roots in Lake Nona, bringing bold, wok-fired flavor to one of Orlando's fastest-growing communities. Built to match the neighborhood's vibrant energy, the new restaurant delivers fresh, made-to-order dishes, signature sauces, and fast, approachable dining designed for guests on the go.

The Lake Nona restaurant reflects Pei Wei's modern design direction, blending warm textures, contemporary lighting, and standout details that create a lively, welcoming dining space.

The opening also highlights Pei Wei's continued focus on...

Fresh, Bold, Protein-Packed: Wendy's Introduces Two Savory Menu Innovations

Fresh innovation meets premium quality with Wendy's® new Cheesy Bacon Cheeseburger and Chicken Tenders Ranch Wrap, expanding Wendy's protein lineup with bold, high-quality ingredients.

The Details:

The Cheesy Bacon Cheeseburger starts with a quarter pound* of fresh, never frozen beef, topped with American cheese, three strips of Applewood-smoked bacon and ooey-gooey cheddar cheese sauce all stacked on a premium toasted bun.

The Chicken Tenders Ranch Wrap features two crispy, juicy all-white meat chicken tenders wrapped in a soft flour tortilla...

Cracker Barrel Leans Into Spring with New and Returning Seasonal Items

Cracker Barrel is looking ahead to spring with a refreshed menu that blends returning guest favorites with strategic new additions, reinforcing its focus on familiarity and comfort. The update highlights the brand’s continued emphasis on core flavors while layering in limited-time variety to drive traffic.

"Spring has always been a season of coming together, and that sense of connection is at the heart of who we are," said Thomas Yun, Vice President of Menu Strategy and Innovation at Cracker Barrel. "Our spring...

Blimpie Stacks the Flavor with New Deli Primo Sub

This year, Blimpie® (www.Blimpie.com) is turning up the flavor with the launch of its newest menu item, the Deli Primo. Perfect for lunch, dinner or anytime cravings, this hearty sub is available for a limited time now through June 1, 2026.

The Deli Primo is loaded high with premium deli meats, such as roast beef, turkey, salami, proscuittini and layered with pepperjack cheese, fresh tomatoes, lettuce and onion and finished with a sprinkle of zesty parm seasoning. The sub is then topped with a bold...

Long John Silver’s Brings Back $6 Fish & Chicken Basket

Long John Silver’s is bringing back its popular fish baskets, harmonizing flavors from both sea and land while delivering the value customers seek. This revival features the $6 Fish & Chicken Basket for a limited time. 

"Guests have been telling us for years that our chicken is a best-kept secret," said Christopher Caudill, Long John Silver's senior vice president of marketing and innovation. "Our hand-battered chicken strips—known as Chicken Planks—are every bit as crave-worthy as our legendary fish. It's time we let that secret...

Arby’s Debuts Steak Nuggets for a Limited-Time

Today, amidst the overwhelming popularity of chicken options in food service, Arby's is betting on its latest innovation.

True to its slogan, "We Have the Meats," the company has launched steak nuggets for a limited time.

“Who doesn’t love tender and savory steak? But, until now, it’s been inconvenient to eat, particularly on the go,” said Jeff Baker, Chief Marketing Officer at Arby’s. “That’s why we created this new innovative product. Two of America’s favorite foods – nuggets and steak – combined to create Arby’s Steak Nuggets. No knife needed, fork...

Popeyes Re-introduces its Wings Lineup

Officially in restaurants nationwide today, Popeyes® is re-introducing their wings lineup, now with a new mild marinated base on their bone- mild or spicy!

Popeyes new wings lineup spotlights their three bestselling sauce flavors: Signature Hot, Sweet 'N Spicy and Honey BBQ, as well as four all-new dry rubs: Ghost Pepper, Lemon Pepper, Garlic Parm, and Buffalo all featured on a mild marinated based wing.

• Mild Base on All Bone-In Wings: Now every bone-in wing starts with our mild marinated base – featuring a savory...

Report Finds Full-Service Restaurants are Winning Back Customers with Menu Updates

Full-service restaurants are hoping to make a comeback in 2025, thanks to menu updates and operational improvements, according to Chatmeter’s latest Full-Service Reputation Ranking Report. 

The report, based on over one million reviews from June 16, 2023 to June 15, 2025, analyzed customer feedback across 10 of America's largest casual dining chains. The findings suggest that restaurants introducing new menu items and enhancing the overall dining experience are seeing a spike in both demand and customer reviews.  

The Cheesecake Factory, which claimed the...

Smashburger Expands with Seasonal, Value Menus

Smashburger, one of the nation’s leading better-burger fast casual concepts, is expanding its menu this summer as part of a broader strategy to drive traffic and increase customer engagement.

The brand has launched two new menu initiatives: the "Summer of Smash" limited-time menu and a new All-The-Time Menu aimed at price-sensitive consumers.

The Summer of Smash menu features the debut of the All-Angus Big Dog, available in four builds: Americana, Bacon Cheese, Chili Cheese, and Chili Cheese Jalapeño...

Taco Bell Builds on Crispy Chicken Momentum with New Lineup

After the sell-out success of its tortilla-coated Crispy Chicken Nuggets, Taco Bell is expanding into strips, the next phase in what’s shaping up to be a full-fledged crispy chicken platform.

Starting June 17, the brand debuts Crispy Chicken Strips across tacos and burritos. Made with all-white meat chicken, the strips are marinated in zesty jalapeño buttermilk and breaded in a blend of tortilla chips and breadcrumbs for extra crunch. Each build is layered with shredded cheddar, pico de...

KFC Relaunches $7 Fill Ups Nationwide, Partners with F1® THE MOVIE for Summer Campaign

KFC is bringing back its popular $7 Fill Ups, offering four complete meal options at a strong value price point. The return aligns with a nationwide marketing partnership with F1® THE MOVIE, positioning KFC as a go-to stop for quick, satisfying meals this summer.

$7 Fill Ups – Available Now Nationwide:
Each Fill Up includes an entrée, mashed potatoes with gravy, a biscuit, two pie poppers, and a medium drink.

• Three-Piece Tenders Fill Up...

Popeyes Rolls Out All-New Chicken Wraps

Popeyes is heating up the summer with the launch of an all-new menu category. Introducing the Popeyes Chicken Wrap — a bold, grab-and-go option packed with flavor and value, available for a limited time.

Each wrap features a hand-breaded, crispy chicken tender, crisp lettuce, shredded cheese, crunchy pickles, and your choice of Classic, Spicy, or Honey Mustard spread — all wrapped in a soft, warm tortilla inspired by our famous biscuits.

The Chicken Wraps come in three crave-worthy variations, each available for just $3.99...

McDonald’s Adds McCrispy Strips and Creamy Chili Dip to Permanent Menu

As temperatures rise, quick-service restaurants are adjusting menus to satisfy seasonal cravings. In its effort to expand offerings, McDonald’s turned to its customers—on social media and beyond—to ask what they wanted most. The overwhelming answer: more chicken.

Responding to that demand, McDonald’s is launching its first permanent menu addition since 2021. Starting May 5, the brand will debut its new McCrispy Strips, served with a Creamy Chili Dip.

"Since stepping into my new role as a leader of the U.S. business this year...

Jollibee Premieres Its NEW 100% Certified Angus Beef® Burgers

Jollibee has announced the nationwide launch of its new menu items. The global restaurant, renowned for its fried chicken, aims to appeal to meat lovers with its new 100% Certified Angus Beef® burgers: the Angus Cheeseburger, Angus Deluxe Burger, and Angus Aloha Burger.

Jollibee highlights that these new offerings will set a new standard of quality in the quick-service industry, while reinforcing its commitment to value.

"We're confident that our trio of new premium Angus burgers will be...