Exciting Innovations in Foodservice Menus
Taco Bell Introduces Mountain Dew Baja Blast Midnight
Foodservice operators are constantly coming up with new and innovative twists on popular menu items. One such example is Taco Bell, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, which recently launched Mountain Dew Baja Blast Midnight. This new beverage marks the first Baja Blast innovation in 20 years, combining the traditional tropical lime flavor of Baja Blast with passion fruit flavors. Mountain Dew Baja Blast Midnight has become a permanent addition to the menu, with a frozen beverage version also available for a limited time.
Taylor Montgomery, chief marketing officer at Taco Bell, expressed excitement about the new addition, stating, “Baja Blast has consistently sparked creativity, defied expectations, and continues to be a cornerstone of the Taco Bell experience.”
Chick-fil-A’s Pretzel Cheddar Club Sandwich
Another exciting menu addition comes from Chick-fil-A, which is rolling out its pretzel cheddar club sandwich nationwide following a successful market test. This sandwich features cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, applewood bacon, and the choice of an original, spicy, or grilled chicken filet on a toasted pretzel bun. Alongside the sandwich launch, Chick-fil-A is introducing waffle potato chips as a permanent side, available in original and Chick-fil-A sauce flavors.
Allison Duncan, director of menu and packaging for Chick-fil-A, highlighted the company’s commitment to surprising guests with unique offerings, stating, “We are always looking for ways to surprise our guests with new and unique menu offerings, and this year’s fall lineup presents even more opportunities for guests to customize and make them their own.”
Culver’s Partners with General Mills for Cereal-Inspired Concrete Mixers
Culver’s, a popular Midwestern burger chain, has teamed up with General Mills, Inc. to introduce a line of cereal-inspired concrete mixers. These limited-time desserts combine frozen custard with cereal pieces, including flavors like Cocoa Puffs, Lucky Charms, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
Kasey McDonald, head of culinary at Culver’s, explained the inspiration behind the new dessert offerings, saying, “These cereals are already so well-loved with milk, so we thought — why not mix them into our fresh frozen custard? When mixed with our frozen custard, these flavors create a level of nostalgia that takes you back to the feeling of being a kid watching Saturday morning cartoons.”
These exciting menu additions showcase the creativity and innovation that foodservice operators are bringing to their offerings, providing customers with unique and delicious options to enjoy.