Sonic Drive-In debuted a Churro Shake, capitalizing on the popularity of the dessert. In addition, the QSR chain also started offering crispy churros for $1.49 on its Summer Snacking Menu. Plus, Sonic returned Bursting Bubbles in its fizzy Cherry Burst and icy Cherry Burst Slush, and as a beverage add-on.
COOP Beverage Works rolled out Sonic Hard Southern Sweet Tea and Sonic Hard Slush as two new adult beverage offerings. COOP Ale Works, its parent, has licensed from and partnered with Sonic Drive-In to offer a line of hard beverages, including RTD (ready-to-drink) cocktail drinks and hard seltzers as part of the line of Sonic Hard Beverages. The new rollout comes on the heels of the release of Sonic Hard Seltzer last spring.
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar rolled out new All-American Mucho and Blue Bahama Mama cocktails as part of its $5 Star-Spangled Sips collection. These new drinks became part of the Mucho Cocktail line and will help customers celebrate as they prepare for the upcoming Independence Day holiday.
Peet’s Coffee introduced a Summer of Jelly menu to put the spotlight on boba-inspired coffee and tea, featuring its Brown Sugar Jelly. These beverages are not only vibrant and customizable, but also in demand due to the boba base, which has been trending. Made with Brown Sugar Jelly, this new line of plant-based coffee and tea arrived at Peet’s Coffee stores nationwide.
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar rolled out a new Sunset Mana Rita and returned its Tipsy Shark as part of Seaside Sips. These are the featured Mucho Cocktails, priced at $5 each. In this rotation, Seaside Sips are headlined by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s ultra-premium Teremana Blanco Tequila.
Sunny Street Cafe began piloting a new brunch mimosa beverage program this year in its Texas markets. Based on the test feedback, the breakfast-and-lunch restaurant chain will roll out new drinks to all of its cafes this year. Executives expect the rollout of these cocktails and mocktails to begin in late Q2. Meanwhile, Sunny Street introduced a new design that will be implemented in three markets.
Dunkin’ released its early summer menu headlined by Mango Pineapple Dunkin’ Refresher, Cake Batter Signature Latte and Tomato Pesto Grilled Cheese. In addition, a new Cornbread Donut and Munchkins arrived at stores nationwide. Meanwhile, the Inspire Brands subsidiary returned Butter Pecan Iced Coffee and Sunrise Batch Iced Coffee, too.
P.F. Chang’s released Kyoto Bloom, Lucky Lotus and Saké Warrior, three new cocktails for the spring season. The Asian-style, polished casual-dining chain launched the new saké drinks to celebrate anticipated spring gatherings at its restaurants. Also, it returned its $50 prix fixe menu.
Panera Bread launched an Unlimited Sip Club for $10.99, expanding a program made famous by its MyPanera+ coffee subscription. The new beverage program will include Panera’s portfolio of self-serve beverages. Customers can sip on hot and iced coffee, hot and iced teas (regular, Sweet Tea, where available, and Passion Papaya Green Iced Tea), Agave Lemonade, Pepsi-Cola fountain beverages, and Panera’s newly-released Charged Lemonades.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers brought back the A.1. Chophouse Steakburger, which features A.1. sauce. In addition, it debuted a Mug Root Beer Float. Both are limited-time offers.
