What’s new in fast food for January 2024
Fast food chains are giving their menus a refresh for the news year.
Some, like Starbucks, Chipotle and El Pollo Loco, are packing up the holiday cheer and leaning into new year’s resolutions.
Here is a sampling of what’s out there.
Chick-fil-A: The chicken sandwich giant is going tropical in January with its seasonal drinks, according to a news release. Among them is the return of Mango Passion Sunjoy, a mixture of lemonade and iced ice, and three variations, Mango Passion Lemonade, Mango Passion Iced Tea and Mango Passion Frosted Lemonade. chick-fil-a.com
Chipotle Mexican Grill: The Newport Beach-based chain is leaning heavily into fitness with a 2024 lineup of seven Lifestyle Bowls that can be ordered online or through its app. They include bowls for Keto or Whole30 diets, vegetarian and vegan bowls, and a high-protein bowl. Chipotle is also partnering with a fitness social network called Strava on a series of challenges in January, including “Chipotle segments” in major cities that give runners the chance to win Lifestyle Bowls for a year. Los Angeles segments begin at Marina del Rey. chipotle.com/lifestyle-bowls
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: The winter menu at this Los Angeles-based chain features vanilla and spices in a cold brew and lattes, including a plant-based Vanilla Spiced Oat Latte. coffeebean.com
Dunkin’: Returning seasonal items include the Pink Velvet Macchiato, the Pancake Wake-Up Wrap with bacon or sausage, egg, and Sweet Black Pepper Seasoned Bacon, according to a news release. dunkindonuts.com
Dutch Bros: The Oregon-based coffee chain is offering protein boosts with protein milk to its coffee drinks through Feb. 29, as well as two new drinks with 20 grams of protein, Salted Caramel Protein Latte and Salted Caramel Protein Mocha. dutchbros.com
El Pollo Loco: The Costa Mesa-based chain has brought back two protein-loaded bowls to its menu, the Classic Double Pollo Fit Bowl and the Street Corn Double Pollo Fit Bowl. It is partnering with TikTok fitness influencers to promote them in a campaign called “Beats and Eats.” Participants include Chiquis, Jenni Rivera’s oldest daughter, according to a news release. elpolloloco.com
KFC: The chicken chain has added two new flavors to its lineup of two for $5 wraps, Honey BBQ and Spicy Mac & Cheese. www.kfc.com
Miguel’s Jr.: The Corona-based chain is serving pozole with pork or chicken for a limited time. It’s available by the bowl or by the quart. miguelsjr.com
Panera Bread: Two new sandwiches, the Southwest Chicken Sourdough Melt and the Bacon Avocado Sourdough Melt, will be introduced Jan. 11, but rewards members can order them now on the app. Ingredients include everything bagel seasoning, touted by the National Restaurant Association as a hot trend for 2024. panerabread.com
Starbucks: The coffee giant is introducing a snack to its breakfast lineup called Potato, Cheddar and Cheese Bakes and a new take on its danish called Vanilla Bean Custard Danish. Its new Hazelnut Oatmilk Shaken Espresso provides a plant-based milk option. The Starbucks Daily link on its app is offering snippets of podcasts to help listeners with their new year’s resolutions. It has been reported by some news outlets, citing a “leaked menu,” that Starbucks will be expanding its lineup of Oleato olive oil-infused coffees by the end of the month, but in an email that company said it has nothing to report about Oleato at this time. Oleato is only available at a handful of stores. starbucks.com
WaBa Grill: Following up on last summer’s launch of Boom Boom Tacos, the chain is launching Boom Boom Way Veggie Bowls, which it describes as a medley of fresh vegetables served with Boom Boom sauce, which is a spicy mayonnaise-based condiment. wabagrill.com