The Living is Easy with These New Seasonal Menu Items
With Memorial Day upon us, food franchisors and restaurants are kicking off summer 2023 with new seasonal menu items, limited time offers (LTO’s) and special promotions. From ice cream and barbecue to cocktails and tea, there’s a little something for everyone to stay cool and have fun all summer long. Here’s a sampling of the fun and creative offerings you’ll find this summer 2023.
Summer 2023 Food Franchise Menu Items
16 Handles
Summer and ice cream just go together. To keep guests happy all summer long, 16 Handles is offering a new flavor on the 16th of every month from May through August. For May, the flavor that was released was Orange Creamsicle Ice Cream (above). The June flavor will be Rocket Pop Italian Ice. On July 16, the new flavor will be Fudgesicle Fudge Pop Sorbet. To wrap up the summer, 16 Handles will release Tiger’s Blood Italian Ice starting August 16.
Applebee’s
Nothing says summertime like colorful drinks. Applebee’s recently debuted two new $6 Sips on the Beach drinks: Passion on the Beach and Mucho Mai Tai (above). The Passion on the Beach is made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice and Ocean Spray Cranberry. Mucho Mai Tai features Captain Morgan Rum with a blend of pineapple, lime and orange juices topped with lemon lime soda and a pineapple gummi.
Auntie Anne’s
For a limited time only, Auntie Anne’s is bringing back its Dragonfruit Mango Lemonade beverages. These beverages include the Dragonfruit Mango Frost, Dragonfruit Mango Frozen Lemonade, and Dragonfruit Mango Lemonade Mixer.
Bad Ass Coffee
For summer 2023, Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii is bringing back its Beach Bonfire Latte along with the new Bonfire Lava Latte and S’mores Kick. For a limited time only, the coffee franchise is offering this Beach Bonfire Collection of drinks at participating locations.
Beyond Juicery + Eatery
Beyond Juicery + Eatery jumped into summer 2023 with three new creations. These include the Southwest Chicken Caesar Wrap (above), Fresca Market Summer Salad, and Frozen Infused Lemonade. Guests can enjoy these new options for a limited time only.
Chick-fil-A
Looking to enjoy refreshing peach drinks this summer 2023? Chick-fil-A is bringing back its Peach Milkshake, along with the White Peach Sunjoy.
Cicis Pizza
Through July 23, Cicis Pizza is commemorating the summer season with The Deep Cheese (above). This new LTO item includes the Pepperoni Deep Dish Stuffed Crust and is valid for take-out or dine-in.
Clean Juice
Those looking for more organic and healthier options can enjoy Clean Juice’s $6 summer value menu. For a limited time, guests can enjoy the juice franchise’s new lemonades, iced coffees, organic juices, food, smoothies, and more.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
It wouldn’t be summer without barbecue. Through August 30, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is offering its new kielbasa-style Mac & Cheese Sausage. It combines kielbasa-style pork sausage, spices and smoked brisket and is stuffed with macaroni and cheddar cheese. Guests can order on the barbecue franchisor’s app or website. Dickey’s also offers catering options for those looking to spend more time with family and friends rather than grilling.
Eggs Up Grill
Eggs Up Grill, a breakfast, brunch and lunch franchise, is offering a new summertime menu. Through Aug.13, the brand’s Summer Lovin’ menu features three new dishes and Sparkling Sangria. These new dishes are the Shrimp Fajita Omelet (above), Berry Chocolate Waffle, and Southwest Chicken Salad.
Friendly’s
Who doesn’t scream for ice cream? For summer 2023, Friendly’s released Super Sundaes including the SuperSundaeDunk (above), Raspberry Crunch, Rolled Over Confetti & Friends, and Vanilla Peachberry Jubilee. For a limited time, the restaurant franchise is also releasing the Martian Sundae for July; Clown Sundae for August; and Pirate Sundae for September.
Gigi’s Cupcakes
Gigi’s Cupcakes is making summer 2023 even sweeter with 12 summer-themed flavors like Lemon Blueberry, Caribbean Colada, Scarlett’s Red Velvet, Cookies N Cream, GF Wedding Cake, and more. Gigi’s Cupcakes’ Mini Box: Summer 2023 includes a dozen mini cupcakes and is available from June 1- August 31. The Patriotic Pop Box (above) contains 12 mini cupcakes made of white and Devil’s cake with Red Buttercream/ Buttercream/ Blue Buttercream. This box is available from June 26- July 4.
Jamba
To bring the summertime vibes, Jamba released two new treats: the Tropical Dragon Twist Smoothie and Tropical Dragon Twist Smoothie Bowl. The Tropical Dragon Twist Smoothie combines dragon fruit, mangos, raspberry sherbet and juice blends. Topped with fresh fruit, shredded coconut and granola, the Tropical Dragon Twist Smoothie can also be enjoyed in bowl form.
Jimmy John’s
For summer 2023, Jimmy John’s is bringing back the Chicken Caesar Wrap and Thai Chicken Wrap and adding the Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Wrap (above) to the mix. The new wrap features all-natural chicken, provolone cheese, jalapeño ranch, crispy jalapeños, and red pepper flakes.
Nekter Juice Bar
In partnership with Nintendo, Nekter Juice Bar is offering three new plant-based and dairy-free Skoop offerings inspired by Nintendo Switch games: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 3, and Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe. The Mario Kart Cookie Cruiser option contains cookie dough, blue spirulina and a proprietary coconut cream blend. Splatlands Birthday consists of a batter flavor from a coconut cream blend with turmeric and topped with sprinkles. Kirby’s Berry Dream combines strawberry puree and a coconut cream blend. This promotion runs from June 1 though September 4.
Paris Baguette
Summer 2023 just got sweeter with the Paris Baguette’s new seasonal meu. New items on the menu include Coconut Mango Cake Tart, Watermelon Feta Salad with Blueberries BBQ, Chicken and Bacon Chicken Ranch Pizzettas, Mixed Berry Soft Cream Cake, Pistachio Mochi Donut and Pistachio King Cream Donut (above), Strawberry King Cream Donut, and Cold Brew with Chocolate Soft Cream.
Pizza Guys
Who says that pizza and summer don’t mix? Not Pizza Guys. Through July 31, the pizza franchisor is offering the Hawaiian Luau Stuffed Crust Pizza (above) and Hawaiian BBQ Pizza. The Hawaiian Luau Stuffed Crust Pizza is topped with Canadian-style bacon, applewood-smoked bacon, pineapple chunks, and extra mozzarella. Hawaiian BBQ Pizza consists of grilled chicken, green bell pepper, applewood-smoked bacon, and pineapple chunks. It is topped with a BBQ sauce drizzle.
PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans
Just in time to beat the summer heat, PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans is rolling out six new drinks: three Boosted Teas and three Red Bull Infusion Drinks. The Boosted Teas are the Berry Mango Boosted Tea, Blue Razz Boosted Tea, and Cherry Lime Boosted Tea. Those looking for an added boost of energy can try the Dragon Fruit Red Bull Infusion, Blue Coconut Blast Red Bull Infusion, and Tropical Mango Red Bull Infusion.
Playa Bowls
To get in on the fun of the summer season, Playa Bowls is releasing a new line of products on June 1. These new items contain summertime favorite mango and coconut flavors. Through August, guests can enjoy the Goldie Mango Bowl, Mango Glow Bowl, Mango Pina Colada Smoothie (above), Summerade Smoothie, and Coconut Cold Brew. To introduce the Mango Glow Bowl, Playa Bowls partnered with Vital Proteins. Playa Bowls is also offering Coconut Protein Bites, which are made with gluten free granola, vanilla plant protein, coconut flakes, chia seeds, agave, coconut oil and semi-sweet chocolate.
Saladworks
Saladworks is spicing summer up with hot honey, berries and poppyseed dressing LTOs. Through Sept. 5, guests can enjoy the Summer Berry Salad, Hot Honey Chicken Panini, Hot Honey Shrimp Salad, and Hot Honey Chicken Salad at all of the salad franchise’s locations.
Salata
Salata is getting in on the summer fun with the return of its watermelon topping and the release of its new spicy shrimp protein option. These new additions expand upon the salad franchise’s more than 50 toppings. In honor of these summer options, customers can enjoy the Spicy Shrimp Salad and Baja Watermelon Salad.
Smoothie King
Through Aug. 28, Smoothie King is bringing back its X-Treme Watermelon Smoothie (above) and offering the new X-Treme Watermelon Lemonade Smoothie. The X-Treme Watermelon Lemonade Smoothie contains watermelon juice blend, sweetened strawberries, white grape lemon juice blend and turbinado. With watermelon juice blend, strawberries, coconut water, and dairy whey blend, you have the X-Treme Watermelon Smoothie.
SONIC Drive-In
SONIC kicked off summer 2023 with the new Griller Cheeseburger and Red Bull Summer Edition Juneberry Slush (above). Through June 25, the Griller Cheeseburger comes layered with two slices of American cheese, hickory smoked bacon, SONIC Comeback Sauce, chopped lettuce and ripe tomatoes. Guests can order them at participating SONIC locations. For the fifth straight year, SONIC is partnering with Red Bull, and the new Juneberry Slush features notes of cherry, red berry, juneberry, and red grape, with a floral finish. Only available for the summer, this slush is half-priced for guests that order using the SONIC app.
Starbucks
Just in time for summer 2023, Starbucks released two new drinks: the Chocolate Java Mint Frappuccino (above) and White Chocolate Macadamia Cream Cold Brew. The Chocolate Java Mint Frappuccino blends Frappuccino roast coffee, sweet chocolate, and mint flavors with Frappuccino chips. The White Chocolate Macadamia Cream Cold Brew is sweetened with macadamia syrup and topped with a white chocolate macadamia cream cold foam. The summertime beverage is finished off with toasted cookie crumbles.
Vitality Bowls
Summer 2023 just got healthier at Vitality Bowls. The brand is rolling out three new smoothies and three new bowls. The bowls are the Island Bowl, Beach Bowl, and Blue Bliss Bowl. For those looking for a drink to cool them down, guests can order the Pina Colada smoothie, Purple Passion smoothie, or Groovy Guava smoothie.
Wendy’s
Who says that fast-food franchises can’t have healthy options? Not Wendy’s. Due to popular demand, the legacy fast-food brand is bringing back the fan-favorite Summer Strawberry Salad for a limited time. This seasonal item includes strawberries, grilled chicken, Applewood smoked bacon, a Tuscan cheese blend, drizzled with Champagne Vinaigrette.
Your Pie
Your Pie is turning up the heat with the return of its Summer Peach Craft Series. Through September, guests can enjoy the Peach & Prosciutto Pie and Summer Peach Salad as well as the new Kickin’ BBQ Peach Pie and new specialty gelato flavors: Peaches and Cream and Limoncello Sorbet.
Zoup! Eatery
Through Sept. 5, Zoup! Eatery’s guests can enjoy two new summer items: the Hot Honey Crispy Chicken Salad (above) and the Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich. The Hot Honey Crispy Chicken Salad includes crispy chicken, cucumber, raw carrots, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar, roasted jalapeno ranch, and hot honey sauce. The new chicken sandwich includes ciabatta, crispy chicken, roasted jalapeño ranch, sliced cheddar cheese, sliced tomato, and hot honey sauce.
Preparing for Summer 2023
Food franchises can easily prepare for the increased foot traffic they will enjoy this summer. For example, they can use social media to recruit summer help from college and high school students. They should also anticipate a need for more inventory and keep track of what’s selling to ensure that popular items are never out of stock.