A cold-weather classic, French onion soup, is coming to a fast-food chain — but not in a crock. Shake Shack just announced it is launching a French onion-inspired menu, with flavors inspired by the soup — at restaurants nationwide Sept. 12. (Shack App users got early access, though, starting Sept. 9.) The leading star of …
Food Trends
McDonald’s Extra Value Meals Return With $8 Big Mac, $5 McMuffin
The House of Ronald McDonald is putting in extra work to win back cash-strapped customers. On Sept. 8, McDonald’s brought back its Extra Value Meals. The incentive, which was first introduced in 1991, gave customers savings on an entree, side and drink, until it was discontinued in 2019. The chain is starting things off with …
Cracker Barrel Suspends Remodeling Plans After Conservative Backlash
Cracker Barrel’s remodeling plans have gone the way of its new logo in the wake of a backlash over the changes. The country-themed restaurant chain announced on Sept. 9 that it has suspended plans to remodel some of its 660 locations in the aftermath of unhappy customers and conservatives sharing their opinions about the proposed …
Smokey Bones Barbecue Chain Is Closing More Locations
It’s a sad day for fans of one popular barbecue chain. Smokey Bones, a restaurant with locations across the U.S., is in the process of closing its underperforming locations. Twin Hospitality Group Inc., the parent company of Smokey Bones and Twin Peaks restaurants, shared the news in a press release while introducing customers to Ken …
Red Lobster Replaces ‘Endless Shrimp’ With New ‘Spendless Shrimp’ Deal
Red Lobster is now offering a more restrictive version of its “Endless Shrimp” promotion after discontinuing it last year and emerging from bankrutpcy. “Since stepping into this role, I’ve gotten questions about Endless Shrimp — ‘Is it coming back? ‘What really happened with the promotion?’ ‘How much shrimp is too much shrimp?’ And it’s time …
Tootsie Pop Remakes Iconic ‘How Many Licks’ Ad
A classic candy commercial from the 1970s has gotten one or two — or, rather, a-one or ta-hoo — updates. On Sept. 8, Tootsie Roll unveiled a refresh of its “How Many Licks” commercial, still starring the iconic Mr. Owl scamming a little boy out of his Tootsie Pop. Tootsie Roll Industries debuted the campaign …
Deals for a Slice of Savings
Personally, we never need a special occasion to chow down on a cheesy pizza, but when National Cheese Pizza Day falls on a Friday, it’s an extra cause for celebration. Luckily, many restaurants are equally as excited about the annual food holiday, and they’re firing up some delightful deals to help us kick off the …
What Does McDonald’s Special Edition Gold Sauce Taste Like?
McDonald’s has a new sauce that matches the hue of its famous golden arches. On Sept. 3, the fast-food chain released the Special Edition Gold Sauce, which blends a “vinegary North Carolina BBQ sauce” with notes of honey, smoke and mustard. It’s now available nationwide, while supplies last. Has McDonald’s struck gold?McDonald’s McDonald’s is offering …
Costco’s Controversial Early Shopping Restrictions Go Into Effect
Costco customers are divided over a new store policy that offers extended shopping hours to only some of its members. In a move that has some customers all fired up and others jumping for joy, the warehouse store recently announced that its Executive-level members would be able to to shop as early as 9 a.m. …
Does Wendy’s Sell Buckets of Chili?
If you’re lucky, all you need to do to get a whole bucket of beefy goodness is head to your local drive-thru. On TikTok, people have been raving about Wendy’s giant buckets of chili for a couple years now. Filmed mostly from their cars, videos show the item sloshing around in its container, threatening the …









