As we embrace cold weather and comfort food, some QSRs have launched seasonal menus and LTOs to drive traffic and generate revenues for the New Year and through the winter.
Beginning January 6, Krispy Kreme’s Winter Seasonal Collection offers four new flavours for its U.S. guests. The menu includes a new lineup of donuts, featuring the Caramel Dulce, Chocolate Truffle, Raspberry Cheesecake, and Cinnamon Sugar Cake. These seasonal items are available in-shop and for pickup or delivery via Krispy Kreme’s app and website, individually and by the dozen.
Starbucks has also introduced a new winter lineup featuring the popular Dubai chocolate in iced matcha and iced mocha varieties, available for a limited time only. Also new to the menu are the Caramel Protein Matcha and Caramel Protein Latte, both to be added to the year-round menu, and available hot and iced with a new sugar-free caramel syrup. A few new food items are also being added to the menu this season, including a Truffle, Mushroom & Brie Egg Bites, an upgraded Turkey Bacon, Cheddar & Egg White Sandwich.
KFC is adding value to its January menu, with $5 Bowls that celebrate craveable comfort food. The lineup includes a Mac & Cheese Bowl, Mashed Potato Bowl, along with spicy versions of each, as well as Matty’s Cheesy Nuggy Gravy Bowl, featuring a collab with chef Matty Matheson.
Dunkin’ has added protein milk to the menu, partnering with Grammy award-winner Megan Thee Stallion to promote the new Mango Peach and Strawberry Protein Refreshers, along with the Caramel Chocolate Iced Protein Latte, Almond Iced Protein Matcha Latte, and Iced Protein Latte with Sugar-Free Vanilla.The seasonal menu features additional items, including the Caramel Chocolate Shakin’ Espresso, Cocoa Cloud Latte, Berry Moonlight Daydream Refresher, and Golden Chocolate Donut.
Arby’s has included two new items on the menu this month, beginning with the Italian Beef Dip, featuring slow-roasted, roast beef topped with Swiss cheese and giardiniera, served on a warm sub roll with au jus for dipping. The Peach Cobbler Roll is another new item, featuring crispy pastry stuffed with diced peaches, graham cracker, and bourbon vanilla filling. These items are available for a limited time only at select locations.
Dairy Queen is celebrating winter with a brand-new flavour for January: the Oreo Snowdrift Blizzard. The sweet treat offers sky blue cake batter-flavoured soft serve blended with Oreo cookie pieces and topped with a marshmallow swirl. This item will only be available on the menu through January.
Staying relevant with seasonal menu items can help operators drive additional traffic and get online attention through the winter months.
Image sourced from Dairy Queen’s Facebook page.
