New Fast Food Items for Early Spring

Published: March 17, 2024 by Colman Andrews

Spring has sprung, at least according to one definition of the season. March 1 marked the start of meteorological spring, which is based on annual temperature cycles (it ends on May 31). Astronomical spring, computed according to the relative position of Earth to the sun, starts late at night on March 19 this year.

However you consider it, winter is over or very nearly so, at least in much of the country (sorry, North Dakota and its vicinity). Chefs in many places are eagerly anticipating the appearance of spring vegetables, as well as seafood specialties like soft shell crab and shad roe.

That is apparently not the case, however, for the corporate chefs at America’s top fast-food chains. While these enterprises continually roll out new menu items, often keyed to specific holidays or easily definable seasons (see the annual autumn appearance of pumpkin spice latte), a number of their new offerings as spring begins this year could just as easily show up in August or December.

To compile a list of new fast food menu items for early spring, 24/7 Tempo reviewed recent Menu Tracker columns in the leading food-service trade publication Nation’s Restaurant News. In these columns, Bret Thorn, NRN’s senior food and beverage editor, surveys menu additions at chains across the country. What follows is a selection of some of his findings.

Scroll down to read about new fast-food items for early spring.

Instead of asparagus, peas, and fresh seasonal crustaceans, the items listed here mostly cover three of our favorite food groups — beef, chicken, and shrimp. Of the 13 menu additions below, four involve beef (either sliced or in burger form), three are made with chicken, and three use (frozen) shrimp. And all 13, despite their lack of seasonal connection, will doubtless please fans. (For more fast-food articles, read this lineup of the most popular fast-food chains in every state.)

Arby’s

New menu item: Roast beef and Brown Sugar Bacon Sandwich
When available: Unspecified limited time
Price (may vary): $6.69 and up

Carl’s Jr.

NZX 50 Index Constituent Companies — Carl’s Jr. is known as Hardee’s on the East Coast.

New menu item: Spicy Western Bacon Cheeseburger
When available: Unspecified limited time
Price (may vary): $6.99 and up

Checkers and Rally’s

New menu item: Bacon Sourdough Buford Melt (two beef patties, Swiss and cheddar, grilled onions)
When available: Unspecified limited time
Price (may vary): $5.99

Del Taco

New menu item: Beer-battered crisp fish tacos made with Stone Buenaveza Salt & Lime Lager
When available: Unspecified limited time
Price (may vary): 2 for $5

Dunkin’ Donuts

Dunkin' Brands Considers Deal To Go Private And Sell To Private Equity Company — Dunkin’ Donuts has breakfast items such as the new sausage, egg, & cheese breakfast empanada.

New menu item: Sausage, egg & cheese breakfast empanada
When available: Unspecified limited time
Price (may vary): $4.49

El Pollo Loco

Coronavirus Pandemic Causes Climate Of Anxiety And Changing Routines In America — Those living in certain parts of the U.S. can try El Pollo Loco’s new double baja shrimp tostada.

New menu item: Double Baja Shrimp Tostada
When available: Unspecified limited time
Price (may vary): $14.99

Jack in the Box

L.A. City Council Proposes Ban On Fast-Food Chains — Jack-in-the-Box is adding the spicy crispy Jack wrap to their menu permanently.

New menu item: Spicy Crispy Jack Wrap (chicken)
When available: Permanently
Price (may vary): $3.29 and up

KFC

UK In Seventh Week Of Coronavirus Lockdown — KFC introduced the new “chizza” food item in 2024.

New menu item: Chizza (two extra crispy chicken breast filets topped pizza-style with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and crispy pepperoni)
When available: Unspecified limited time
Price: Varies by location