Chipotle Launches Carne Asada Nationwide

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced that it's introducing a brand-new steak option, Carne Asada, nationally on September 19, 2019. CHIPOTLE REWARDS members were the first to learn of the new menu item today. To showcase the importance of its Rewards members and the exclusive access the program provides, Chipotle invited its top steak lovers in New York and Los Angeles to attend early VIP tasting events.

This premium protein is cut into tender slices, seasoned with fresh squeezed lime and finished with hand-chopped cilantro and a blend of signature spices. Chipotle's Carne Asada has been officially approved for the Whole30® program, and is compliant with a Paleo diet.

Additionally, Chipotle teamed up with...

US Foods Delivers a World of Authentic, Global Flavors with Fall Scoop 2019

US Foods Holding Corp. announced today the launch of Fall Scoop 2019, which focuses on “Global Discovery Made Easy” and showcases products with Latin American, Asian and Middle Eastern influences. With 54 percent of consumers saying they have gone out of their way to try a novel global food, today’s diners are hungry to explore new flavors from all over the world.1

To help restaurant operators stay competitive and meet this growing demand, US Foods collaborated with nationally recognized chefs, Chef Diana Dávila, Chef Thai Dang and Chef Sameh Wadi to advise on many of the...

Taco Bell Rolls Out New Vegetarian Menu Nationwide

For years, Taco Bell's delicious vegetarian menu items have been one of the best kept secrets for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Beginning Thursday, the brand that has proudly offered great tasting vegetarian options for some time, will launch a not-so-new "new" vegetarian menu nationwide for the first time ever. With 13 great tasting menu items available at more than 7,000 participating restaurants, Taco Bell continues to lead the way with a meaningful vegetarian menu and remains committed to making the items more accessible by including them on a permanent menu board.

The "new" menu will feature some exciting items that are all American Vegetarian Association (AVA)-certified, including the Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme and Black Bean Quesarito as well as the classic 7-Layer Burrito and Bean Burrito. In addition to these four items, fans can find another nine bold, flavorful vegetarian items sprinkled throughout the larger menu, all indicated by...

Wendy's Announces Plans to Launch Breakfast Across the U.S. System in 2020

The Wendy's Company announced today that it plans to launch its breakfast menu, currently available in more than 300 restaurants, across the U.S. system in 2020. The menu features signature items that takes the best of Wendy's, from Applewood smoked bacon to the Frosty®, and creatively delivers them to fans for breakfast. Signature items include the Breakfast Baconator®, Frosty-ccino, and Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit.

"Launching breakfast in our U.S. restaurants nationwide provides incredible growth opportunities," said Todd Penegor, President and CEO of The Wendy's Company. "We are well-positioned to pursue it. We believe we have the right team and structure in place, and...

McDonald’s to Spice Up Menus with New Spicy BBQ Glazed Tenders and Spicy BBQ Chicken Sandwich

September just got a whole lot saucier at McDonald’s.

Introducing McDonald’s new Spicy BBQ Glazed Tenders and Spicy BBQ Chicken Sandwich, two new chicken menu items coming to participating restaurants nationwide for a limited time beginning on September 11. Perfectly sauced with just the right amount of spice, the new offerings are set to be an unexpected, feel-good boost to any occasion, from backyard parties to tailgates.

• Spicy BBQ Glazed Tenders: Picture our classic Buttermilk Crispy Tenders, battered and breaded to perfection, hand-tossed and perfectly sauced to order in our new, mouthwatering Spicy BBQ glaze that contains just a hint of jalapeno.
• Spicy BBQ Chicken Sandwich: This BBQ staple features...

Aramark Tackles Game Day with 35 of the Hottest Items on Menus at NFL Stadiums

Game days are back and Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), the award-winning food and beverage partner of 11 NFL teams, is ready to welcome six million fans back to stadiums for the most awaited and delicious time of the year, football season.

Aramark, which serves more football fans than any other hospitality company, scouted recipes and food trends from coast to coast, to create new menus that reflect the flavor and tradition of the hometown teams and communities where they reside. Food trends and fan feedback guided Aramark’s culinary team through the off-season, which resulted in a fresh roster of...

Taco Del Mar Goes “Beyond Meat” with New Taco Made with Plant-Based Protein

Taco Del Mar is introducing plant-based protein to its current vegetarian and vegan menu with its new Beyond Meat Taco. Beginning August 20, the taco chain will be testing its new offering at 10 restaurant locations, spread between Seattle, WA and Vancouver, BC.

The Beyond Meat Taco features the popular plant-based Beyond Beef Feisty Crumbles mixed with medium chipotle salsa, diced onions and minced serrano peppers, topped with shredded cheddar and Monterey jack cheese, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo and jalapeños served on warm corn tortillas. The plant-based protein is also available...

QDOBA Mexican Eats Launches New Keto, Vegan, and Double Protein Bowls

QDOBA Mexican Eats, a leading Mexican fast-casual chain, is adding three new chef-inspired bowls to its restaurants systemwide. Following the successful introduction of Impossible™ – a plant-based protein – to its menu, the brand continues to expand its lifestyle options to fit guests’ varying lifestyles. QDOBA’s latest creations include:

• Smoked Brisket Keto Bowl: Smoked brisket and hand-smashed guacamole sit on a bed of crisp lettuce, topped with made in-house pico de gallo, salsa verde and shredded cheese.
• Grilled Fajita Vegan Bowl: Sautéed fajita vegetables, hand-smashed guacamole, corn salsa, made in-house pico de gallo and salsa verde piled high on seasoned...

IHOP Introduces Crispy Chicken to Expand All-Day Menu

IHOP® Restaurants announced today that it is further expanding its all-day menu by launching new, Buttermilk Crispy Chicken. Made with all-natural chicken breasts and a signature seasoning blend, the Buttermilk Crispy Chicken menu features eight delicious new menu items, ranging from savory to sweet and from breakfast to late-night.

The centerpiece of the new menu is Crispy Chicken & Pancakes, which combines three of IHOP’s hot, fluffy World Famous Buttermilk pancakes with four breaded and seasoned chicken breast strips to create what’s sure to become breakfast’s newest obsession. For a limited time...

Tim Hortons Expands Beyond Meat Offerings 

After the successful launch of three new Beyond Meat® Breakfast Sandwiches last month, Tim Hortons is expanding plant‑based offerings to the lunch and dinner menu with two new, delicious Beyond Burgers. This marks the first time Tim Hortons has been able to include a burger on the menu because the burger patty is prepared in the same way as the Beyond Sausage™ patty for the new breakfast sandwiches.

The 100% plant‑based burger patty was developed by Beyond Meat to taste like a beef burger. The result is a truly satisfying burger experience that is now available at the nearly 4,000 Tim Hortons restaurants nationwide.

There are two Beyond Burgers for guests to enjoy from coast to coast...

BJ'S Restaurant & Brewhouse Introduces Three Burger Flavors

Today, BJ's Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ: BJRI) announced the addition of three new flavors to their burger offerings with the introduction of two new Loaded Burgers, the Bistro Burger and the Mushroom Swiss Burger, in addition to the new Banh Mi Turkey Burger, which can be found on their lower-calorie EnLIGHTened Entrees® menu. Each burger is loaded with flavor and bursting with ingredients, so much so that they are literally more than a handful. Recent YouGov survey data1 found that there are five main techniques Americans have tried when faced with...

Famous Dave's Announces Partnership with Beyond Meat

Famous Dave's is pleased to announce a partnership with Beyond Meat and will be launching a test of plant-based protein menu items in mid-August. The test will roll out initially in five locations, four throughout Colorado and one in Minneapolis, MN.

"For 25 years, our menu has included meat alternative options. In listening to our fans, we see tremendous opportunity to cater to their evolving palates and look forward to expanding the menu even further," said Jeff Crivello, CEO of Famous Dave's. "We remain committed to continued menu innovation and look forward to exploring delicious plant-based options for our guests."

The Famous Dave's culinary team has gone through months of testing, experimenting with different recipes and ingredients. The savory Beyond Meat test menu items will include...

Hardee’s Introduces Latest Burger Innovation

Hardee’s® has announced the launch of one of its best-tested menu items – the new Garlic Bread Thickburger® – coming to stores June 19, 2019. The brand will also debut Cheesy Garlic Fries, the perfect complement to any Hardee’s meal.

The Garlic Bread Thickburger includes a 1/3 lb. 100% Black Angus beef patty, charbroiled over an open flame, topped with a buttery garlic herb spread, parmesan crisps and caramelized onions on Hardee’s buttery toasted sourdough bread.

“We’re thrilled to introduce our latest burger innovation, the Garlic Bread Thickburger, the perfect marriage of house-made toasty garlic bread and premium charbroiled Angus beef,” said Owen Klein, Vice President of Culinary Innovation at CKE Restaurants. “This new flavor combination tested far beyond our expectations, and we know consumers everywhere will be instant fans...

Boston Market Launches New Summer Sandwich Menu 

The first day of summer – and longest day of the year – is just around the corner, and that can only mean one thing: time to sack the sad sack lunch. While the nation gears up for summer Fridays and weekend picnics in the park, we quickly forget that lunch is arguably the most important meal of the day, and no one deserves a subpar sandwich. To help guide the way (well, minus the "sub") toward more mouth-watering midday options, the rotisserie everything experts at Boston Market® are debuting four new sandwich offerings this month that must be tasted to be believed – literally.

Friday, June 21 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Boston Market is inviting everyone to leave that corner bakery and/or cafe in the dust and enjoy a free sandwich on the house – pitting "theirs" against ours in a full-on sandwich throwdown. Simply bring in your current favorite sandwich and taste the difference fresh, never frozen (and never "fil-a'd") rotisserie chicken can make. You'll be hooked. Guests are then invited to vote for...

Hard Rock International Debuts its Most Extensive Menu Innovation

Hard Rock International is announcing its most extensive menu innovation in the company's history with more than 20 new offerings debuting in locations around the world on Friday, June 14, 2019. The legendary restaurant's new menu puts the spotlight on its lineup of all-new, award-winning Steak Burgers, headlined by the world's first edible 24-Karat Gold Leaf Steak Burger™ that will benefit Action Against Hunger.

Steak Burgers aren't the only items making their debut on Hard Rock's new menu, which also includes Instagram-worthy Boozy Milkshakes, Sliders and Shareables that encourage adventure and exploration, allowing fans to curate their most flavorful playlist. The global launch of the new menu coincides with...

HelloFresh Elevates the At-Home Dinner Experience with the Launch of New Premium Menu Items

HelloFresh SE (HFG), the leader in delivering delicious ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes to households worldwide, today announced the launch of two new premium menu offerings: Craft Burgers and Taste Tours. Beginning today, customers can select from an alternating menu of Craft Burgers and Taste Tours dishes that are designed to elevate the at-home cooking experience by bringing everything needed to create fully-loaded burgers and flavorful global cuisines right to your doorstep.

Upping the ante on HelloFresh’s beloved burger offerings, the new Craft Burgers bring a gastropub experience to the kitchen table with loads of gourmet toppings like truffle, bacon, and caprese-style. For home cooks who love global cuisine like dim sum and paella, the new Taste Tours dishes take customers on...

Sonic Drive-In Says Aloha with New King's Hawaiian Clubs

SONIC® Drive-In adds a taste of Hawaii to its menu this month with the all-new KING’S HAWAIIAN® Clubs. Complete with island flair, SONIC transforms its Classic Crispy Chicken Sandwich and SONIC Burger to create the irresistible KING’S HAWAIIAN Chicken Club and KING’S HAWAIIAN Burger Club.

Guests can choose between the KING’S HAWAIIAN Chicken Club made with 100-percent all white meat crispy chicken or the KING’S HAWAIIAN Burger Club made with a savory 100-percent pure beef patty, both piled high with fresh lettuce, ripe tomato, crunchy bacon, and natural Swiss cheese layered on the iconic KING’S HAWAIIAN Bun. Starting at just...

Wendy's Releases New Chicken Lineup 

Wendy's recently released the Made to Crave menu – a sandwich line dedicated to unlocking a whole new world of flavors. Now, Wendy's Made to Crave menu is bringing you a new chicken lineup guaranteed to satisfy those craveable taste buds. Introducing three new chicken sandwiches to Wendy's chicken menu: Avocado BLT, S'Awesome Bacon Chicken and Barbecue Chicken.

Made to Crave Chicken sandwiches takes Wendy's core menu that much further, driving more flavor variety to your go-to chicken sandwiches while never sacrificing quality. The best part? The Made to Crave Chicken lineup features each of Wendy's different fillets. We're talking the lightly breaded and specially seasoned homestyle, grilled and for when you want to raise the temperature a bit – spicy. Each sandwich is made with...

Subway Restaurants Open the Club Doors to its New Collection

While a club sandwich traditionally features bacon, turkey and lettuce, Subway® Restaurants is once again proving its new innovative approach to the classic sandwich is far from traditional. The NEW! Club Collection turns the rules upside down by modernizing these iconic sandwiches with a kick of spicy jalapeños, delicious steak and creamy guacamole.

These crave-worthy, chef-inspired recipes for the Club sandwiches are...

Subway Announces Expansion of Global Food Innovation Partnership with Tastemade

Subway and Tastemade have announced an expansion of their first-of-its-kind global food innovation alliance. The world's largest restaurant chain and the modern media brand, made up of creators and food explorers united by their love and passion for great tasting food, are collaborating to create menu items designed to complement Subway's current offerings while inspiring new tastes that guests can't find anywhere else.

Subway and Tastemade first announced their innovative collaboration to deliver unique food offerings in North America and Latin America in August 2018. Since the inception of the partnership, hundreds of menu items have been developed using unique data and insights derived from the Tastemade audience, and ...

Aramark Loads the Bases with More than 40 New Menu Items for Opening Day

Major League Baseball’s Opening Day is just around the corner, and Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), the award-winning food and beverage partner of nine MLB teams, is unveiling its 2019 ballpark menu highlights, full of new takes on ballpark favorites and better-for-you options. New technology and innovative concepts will debut to further drive fan engagement.

“Our chefs spent the off-season developing new recipes and innovative concepts to further enhance the game day dining experience for fans,” said Carl Mittleman, President of Aramark’s Sports and Entertainment division. “With a focus on quality, health, convenience and personalization, the new menu items we are introducing offer ...

Del Taco Elevates Fast Food Box Quality and Value with Fresh Faves Boxes

Grilled Chicken Tacos made with fresh-grilled chicken, Half-Pound Bean & Cheese Burritos crafted with slow-cooked beans made from scratch in each restaurant, and the signature Del Taco, loaded with hand-grated cheddar cheese. These are just a few of the items that Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ: TACO), the nation’s second leading Mexican quick service restaurant,** is offering in its new line-up of Fresh Faves Box Meals that deliver quality and quantity at a price point that only Del Taco can deliver.

“For Del Taco, value means offering guests an unbeatable combination of freshly prepared, craveable items served at a price that’s less than the national competition,” said Barry Westrum, Del Taco’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We created these Boxes based on ...

Chipotle Extends Lifestyle Bowls With Meatless "Plant-Powered" Options

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) today announced its "Plant-Powered" Lifestyle Bowl options, which include a new preconfigured organic plant-based protein "Vegan" bowl as well as a "Vegetarian" bowl that includes guacamole. Plant-Powered bowls are the first extensions in the brand's Lifestyle Bowl offering, which launched earlier this year with Keto, Paleo, Whole30 and double protein diet-approved menu options.

Whether following a vegetarian, flexitarian, or vegan diet or just looking to make healthier choices, Chipotle's customizable menu allows customers to select the items that best fit their needs. In 2014, Chipotle was an early entrant into the plant-based conversation, introducing ...

Watch the Throne: BK Challenges KFC over Chicken Crown

Brisket Is Booming at Foodservice

Boston Market has added Rotisserie Brisket to its menu as a new item following the success of its Rotisserie Prime Rib, which debuted last year. In response to strong consumer demand, locations will be increasing availability of prime rib from three to five days a week, with the remaining two days filled out by the new brisket offering. Brisket will take up rotisserie residency Monday and Tuesday, while prime rib will expand from Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday to cover Thursday and Saturday as well.

Although best known by many as a chicken-focused eatery, Boston Market has a history with red meat, including a brief foray into brisket nearly a decade ago. Their first beef item was meatloaf, which entered menus in 1995. In 2005 the restaurant first introduced a specific cut of beef with a top sirloin menu item, and in 2009 they introduced brisket as a summer special.

Boston Market isn’t alone in bringing the brisket. Wawa, a convenience store chain on the east coast, also...

Moe's Southwest Grill Launches Quinoa Power Bowl Nationwide

Moe's Southwest Grill® is rolling out a new menu offering for those looking for more health conscious options - the Quinoa Power Bowl. The bowl packs all of the Southwest flavor that Moe's is known for with higher protein and fiber and lower carbohydrates. Today, the new bowl will roll out nationwide across the Moe's portfolio of more than 700 restaurants, making Moe's restaurants the first to launch a quinoa bowl in the Mexican fast casual segment.

The Quinoa Power Bowl is made with Mojo Chicken (all-natural white meat chicken breast), quinoa blend (quinoa, brown rice, sweet potato and zucchini), frijoles, shredded romaine lettuce, corn pico, guac, cilantro and queso fresco. Fans can also grab the quinoa blend as a side or an addition to other menu items ...

Wendy's Beefs Up its Menu with Three New Made to Crave Cheeseburgers

Trying to take your go-to cheeseburger to new heights? We Got You™! Wendy's® new Made to Crave menu unlocks a whole new world of cheeseburgers made with unforgettable flavors that take craveability to its peak. The new Made to Crave line introduces a trio of cheeseburgers to the fresh, never frozen beef* family: S'Awesome Bacon Cheeseburger, Peppercorn Mushroom Melt and Barbecue Cheeseburger.

Let's face it, foodies want maximum craveability and quickly get hooked on the Deliciously Different® flavors Wendy's is known for bringing to the table – but sometimes, these on-trend flavors are offered for a limited time. Now, Made to Crave offers the same deliciousness as an exclusive menu item, but is here to stay, so you can have flavor for days ... 

Menu Price Increases Help Boost McDonald's Q4 Sales Up 2.3% in U.S.

McDonald's Corporation today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2018.

"Our performance in 2018 was strong, driven by the Velocity Growth Plan with broad-based momentum across each of our global segments. We continued to transform our business by making substantial progress on modernising our restaurants and offering more convenience, choice and value to our customers," said McDonald's President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Easterbrook. "We've now achieved 14 consecutive quarters of positive global comparable sales and our customers rewarded us with more visits in 2018, helping us to achieve two consecutive years of global guest count growth for the first time since 2012...

Officially Dunkin': New Look and New Menu Items Provide Energizing Start to 2019

The New Year is all about new possibilities and opportunities, and enthusiasm enough to maybe finally keep those resolutions. In the spirit of "new year, new you," Dunkin' is presenting an exciting new look to its product packaging, while welcoming both new and returning favorite menu items, to give the brand and its guests an energizing start to 2019.

Officially Dunkin': New Packaging

Last September, Dunkin' Donuts revealed plans to put the company on a first-name basis with America, in recognition of its long relationship with fans who have referred to the brand simply as "Dunkin'." As part of its rebranding efforts, in January Dunkin' will introduce ...

A New Year and Sonic Drive-In’s New Hearty Chili Bowl

Starting at just 140 calories, the Hearty Chili packs a full serving of vegetables

SONIC® Drive-In (NASDAQ: SONC) brings the heat this winter with a new warm and tasty menu item – Hearty Chili Bowl. Finally giving super-fans an opportunity to enjoy their favorite SONIC chili flavor as a snack, side dish, or meal, the new Hearty Chili Bowl serves up the same great savory, beefy taste with an irresistible update.

Starting at just 140 calories, the new Hearty Chili Bowl is made with hearty beef, a full serving of ...

Chipotle Launches Lifestyle Bowls so Customers can Achieve New Year's Wellness Resolutions

Paleo, Keto, Whole30® and Double Protein-approved options are now available for delivery exclusively through Chipotle's mobile app and website

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) today announced the launch of a new collection of Lifestyle Bowls, just in time for New Year's Resolutions. The new line includes a Paleo Salad Bowl, Keto Salad Bowl, Whole30® Salad Bowl and Double Protein Bowl, all exclusively available through the mobile app and on the Chipotle website for in-restaurant pickup or delivery. These first-to-category, diet-driven menu offerings are helping those who have committed to living a healthier lifestyle by making it easy to order delicious bowls that only contain the real ingredients permitted by certain diet regimens.

One notable expert showing support for the launch is Whole30® co-founder Melissa Hartwig Urban. "We are always looking for ways to make the Whole30 easier and more accessible, and travel has always been a pain point. It's not always easy to find ...

Chicken Fight: Are Chicken Strips Cannibalizing Chicken Nugget Servings At Foodservice?

Product innovation and new fast casual chicken concepts reinvent chicken strips

Not since the classic why did the chicken cross the road? question has there been such a puzzling chicken question as this: Are chicken strips cannibalizing chicken nugget servings at foodservice? Chicken strip servings at restaurants and foodservice outlets increased by 16 percent in the quarter ending September 2018 compared to same period last year whereas chicken nugget servings declined by 3 percent, reports The NPD Group. The logical answer is that fans of breaded chicken are swapping out nuggets for strips. The correct answer: No they’re not.

Chicken nuggets lost buyers but these buyers were not...

Steak ‘n Shake Introduces New 444 Menu

Steak ‘n Shake, America’s original premium burger and shake restaurant, offers the best deal in the burger industry with its new 444 menu featuring meals with four items – entree, fries, choice of side and a cookie – for just $3.99.

Guests can order their choice of the Original Double ‘n Cheese Steakburger, the Bacon ‘n Cheese Single Steakburger, the Triple Steakburger or Chicken Fingers and...

Dunkin’ Debuts New Holiday Spice Bacon Breakfast Sandwich

‘Tis the season at Dunkin’ once again, as today the brand unwrapped its 2018 holiday menu and cup design to bring joy and delight to on-the-go guests through all the wonderful moments of the most wonderful time of the year.

Each year as the holidays approach, Americans turn to Dunkin’ for festive coffees, donuts and more to stay energized for shopping for the perfect gift, wrapping presents, wrapping up the year at work and celebrating the season with friends and family. This year Dunkin’ is spicing things up with its holiday menu, bringing guests delicious new choices for refueling and refilling joy all throughout the busy weeks ahead. Available beginning today for limited time at participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide, Dunkin’s ho-ho-host of holiday delights include...

Quaker Steak & Lube Rolls out New All-Day and Limited-Time Offer Menus

Together with its franchise partners, ** Quaker Steak & Lube, one of the nation’s leading family casual-dining restaurant chains, has announced the launch of its new menu, which includes many fan-favorite classics along with new flavor combinations to provide guests with fresh and on-trend dining options, while staying true to the restaurant’s roots. The brand has also rolled out a new limited-time offer menu that includes a heartier lineup for the fall and winter seasons with options that...

KFC Introduces Chicken & Waffles to the Menu

Fried chicken from the experts + one-of-a-kind Belgian Liege-style waffles = Kentucky Fried Chicken & Waffles

Kentucky Fried Chicken(R) -- the original chicken purveyor-- is making a formerly upscale brunch favorite available to everyone with the introduction of its new Kentucky Fried Chicken & Waffles, available for a limited time only. With Kentucky Fried Chicken & Waffles, you can forget the reservations, long lines and expensive checks and get back to what really matters: the food.

"Our famous extra crispy, savory fried chicken atop a Belgian Liege-style waffle, with the finishing touch of classic Mrs. Butterworth's syrup, makes for a scrumptious dish I'd put up against versions at upscale restaurants, but we're offering it at a price just about anyone can afford. And it can be enjoyed at KFCs across the country for brunch, lunch or dinner...

Chains Ramp Up Efforts To Create Healthy Kids’ Meals

Families have always enjoyed dining out together at restaurants, and now they’re looking to operators to provide them with more balanced dining choices. To meet that request, chefs and restaurateurs are ramping up efforts to create more better-for-you, great-tasting foods they all will love.

“Many restaurants are working to update their menus so kids are satisfied with the choices available to them," says Jeff Clark, the National Restaurant Association’s director of sustainability and nutrition. "Today, more kids' menus feature foods made from fresh ingredients that are prepared creatively, healthfully, and are a lot of fun to eat.”

Clark adds that restaurateurs know their adult clients want nutritious items for their kids and that they must cater to that demand or risk losing business. To succeed, they, their chefs and suppliers are working on dishes children and their parents can love equally.

The following are four examples of national chains offering better-for-you options on their menus...

Muscle Maker Grill Introduces New Healthier Burger Menu

Muscle Maker Grill, the fast-casual restaurant brand, which promotes a healthy lifestyle by offering nutritious alternatives to traditional dishes, today announced the addition of a build it yourself burger bar menu available at participating locations for a limited time.

Muscle Maker Grill’s new healthier burger bar menu is a great option for those looking to indulge in a burger without the guilt. True to its mission of delivering healthier menu items without sacrificing taste, Muscle Maker Grill’s new burger menu has something for everybody. Guests can choose from four nutritionally packed protein options, grass-fed beef, turkey, all natural chicken breast or a veggie burger. The burgers are offered in five styles: Mushroom Supreme, California Club, Classic, Jalapeno and the Recovery burger. All burgers are served on whole wheat buns and come with a side of our baked sweet potato fries. Burger toppings include healthier options such as avocado, reduced fat mayo, turkey bacon and reduced fat cheeses. Burger bar styles are listed below...

Aramark Heats Up Arenas with 25 New Menu Items for the NHL and NBA Seasons

To kick off arena season, Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) -- the food and beverage provider at nine NHL and NBA arenas, who will serve nearly eight million fans attending NHL and NBA games -- is heating up the ice and hardwood with new menus stocked with everything from hometown hot dogs to vegetarian poke bowls.

Some of the new menu items Aramark is introducing at the arenas it serves include...

The BURGER KING Brand Creates a Halloween Sandwich Clinically Proven to Induce Nightmares

Can a burger give you nightmares? That's what the Burger King(R) brand set out to prove with an unusual research study on its latest Halloween burger, the Nightmare King. This spooky sandwich features 1/4 lb* of savory flame-grilled beef, a 100% white meat crispy chicken fillet, melted American cheese, thick cut bacon, creamy mayonnaise, and onions all assembled on a glazed green sesame seed bun.

In partnership with the Paramount Trials and Florida Sleep & Neuro Diagnostic Services, Inc. and Goldforest Inc., the Burger King(R) brand conducted a scientific study over 10 nights with 100 participants (or should we say victims?) who ate the Nightmare King before they went to bed. By tracking various signals from the sleeping subjects including their heart rate, brain activity and breath, a group of doctors and scientists identified whether the individuals had vivid dreams.

"Someone... transformed into the figure of a snake", reported one of the study's subjects when asked about her dream. Another recalled "aliens attacking" the boat he was on...

Restaurants Up the Ante on Healthier Menu Options

Consumers are telling restaurateurs they’re looking for menu items lower in calories, more nutritious and, in some cases, smaller sized, and restaurateurs are listening.

Earlier this year, the National Restaurant Association released its annual What’s Hot Culinary Survey of more than 1,000 U.S. chefs and restaurateurs. The research found that eight in 10 operators said customers pay more attention to nutritional content than they did two years ago. The survey also discovered 71 percent of consumers said availability of healthy menu choices made it more likely they’d choose one restaurant over another. As a result, restaurateurs planned to add more of those options to their menus. For example...

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews Rings in the Holiday Season with New Menu Items

'Tis the season for YUMMM(R) at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews! The Gourmet Burger Authority(TM) is lighting up its menu with new additions and limited-time offerings for the holidays. Beginning today, Red Robin guests can savor The Master Cheese, a new Black Angus burger with a duo of melted extra-sharp Cheddar and Provolone cheeses, Bistro Sauce, dill pickle planks, shredded romaine and tomatoes on a toasted brioche bun and served with Bottomless Steak Fries(R) , which means free refills. Red Robin is also unwrapping a fire-grilled Haystack Tavern Double burger. The newest everyday value offering is topped with American cheese, Campfire Sauce and onion straws, along with a side of Bottomless Steak Fries(R) all for $6.99.

"We're excited to unwrap a new lineup of seasonal flavors and innovations this holiday season," said Dana Benfield, senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "From the savory Haystack Tavern Double and... 

Wendy’s Adds a S’Awesome Twist to Its Classic Bacon Cheeseburger

Wendy’s® adds a S’Awesome new addition to its fresh, never frozen* hamburger lineup. Introducing the S’Awesome Bacon Classic, a smoky, tangy twist on your favorite Wendy’s bacon cheeseburger. Topped with Wendy’s savory Side of S’Awesome™ Sauce, this is the burger mashup you’ve been waiting for.

The S’Awesome Bacon Classic is loaded with fresh, never frozen beef, three strips of Applewood smoked bacon, melty American cheese, crinkle cut pickles, sweet onion, and crisp lettuce – all between two warm, toasted buns. Slathered with Wendy’s savory Side of S’Awesome™ sauce, this cheeseburger packs smoky, tangy flavor in every juicy, mouthwatering bite.

“The S’Awesome Bacon Classic was created out of our customer’s love for this smoky, tangy sauce,” said Kurt Kane, Wendy’s executive vice president, chief concept and marketing officer. “We originally offered the sauce as a...

East Coast Wings + Grill Announces New Menu Items for Fall

Family-Dining Franchise Adds New Wing Sauce Flavors and Mouthwatering New Burgers, Skillets and Flatbreads to Fall Menu

The top priority for East Coast Wings + Grill (ECW+G), a full-service restaurant franchise, is its food originality and guest input. ECW+G delivers on this promise by paying close attention to the changing taste buds of its guests and holds twice-monthly focus groups to test new menu items. The result? Deliciously enjoyable new menu items for fall.

The strategically crafted menu includes fan-favorites (such as the Mac + Cheese Burger) and new options selected by evaluating a variety of factors including: guest feedback, Franchisee input, trends and seasonality. Each new item is thoroughly tested using focus groups, surveys and trial at select locations, to ensure that they are crave-worthy new items.

The new burger, skillet and flatbreads include...