What’s New in Fast Food & Chain Restaurants This January? A “Beastified” Starbucks Drink, Major Meal Deals at Cracker Barrel & More

As the Starbucks Secret Menu has proven, there are endless ways to customize your drink. Now, the coffee company is taking things a step further, partnering with Khloe Kardashian’s protein-packed popcorn company, Khloud, to offer the snack in stores, along with Khloe’s custom drink—an iced vanilla protein latte—which calls for substituting Blonde roast espresso, then adding an extra shot and topping the drink with vanilla protein cold foam. At $10 for a grande (at least in New York, where I ordered it), the drink is pricey, but it packs a whopping 47 grams of protein—and kept me full through lunch. It was exceptionally smooth and creamy, with a light vanilla flavor and no gritty or chalky finish (as some protein drinks can have).

But the collabs don’t end there. As of Jan. 14, the Pink Drink gained new competition in the form of the Cannon Ball Drink. Created for fans of Mr. Beast’s Beast Games, the drink features a tart lemonade base, which is combined with Strawberry Açai and Mango Dragon Fruit Refreshers, then topped with dried fruit. (The idea is that the fruit “cannon balls” in, and when swirled, creates an ombré, purple-to-pink effect.)

At first, I worried the Cannon Ball would be too sweet, but the tart lemonade base offsets the Dragon Fruit and Mango flavors beautifully, offering a sweet-sour note that's endlessly sippable. (Could you cut it with a little water? Yes. But like the name suggests, it's designed to pack a punch.)

It would be so much easier to hit those healthy eating goals if we had a nutritionist or doctor on speed dial, right? Well, Sweetgreen’s offering the next best thing, with a menu of five dishes created under the guidance of Dr. Mark Hyman and Function, a membership service designed to provide lab testing and doctors’ insights to help people live better. Two of the five bowls and plates are online exclusives, and select markets (namely Atlanta, Boston and locations in Florida) will only have access to those. Here’s what’s on the menu:

• Steady Energy Bowl (online exclusive)* — roasted chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, spicy broccoli, cilantro, pickled onions, wild rice and shredded kale, served with Green Goddess Ranch
• The Omega Salad — miso-glazed salmon tops a bed of chopped romaine, baby spinach, avocado, shredded carrots, chickpeas, cucumbers and cilantro, served with lime cilantro jalapeño sauce
• Nutrient Power Plate — spicy broccoli and blackened chicken add heat to wild rice, golden quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, chickpeas, pickled onions and almonds, all brightened with a squeeze of lemon
• Spicy Reset Bowl — shredded kale and wild rice topped with blackened chicken, avocado, shredded cabbage, apples, chickpeas and cilantro, seasoned with Nori Sesame Seasoning, lemon juice and hot sauce
• Iron Boost Bowl (online exclusive) — caramelized garlic steak, spicy broccoli, shredded cabbage, tomatoes and almonds atop golden quinoa and arugula, topped with lime cilantro jalapeño sauce

*Psst: I can confirm this bowl is a filling, ridiculously tasty mix of flavors and textures. The Green Goddess Ranch tames the spicy broccoli, while the pickled onions add tanginess. It's a must-try.

If it seems like protein-packed drinks are everywhere right now, you’re right. Dunkin’, Starbucks, Smoothie King, Peet’s Coffee and the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf are just a few of the brands offering protein-enhanced bevs in the new year. What does that look like, exactly? Well, at Starbucks it’s a whole roster of drinks and protein-enhanced cold foams you can add to your go-to order. (Drinks vary from getting 19 grams of protein with a grande Chocolate Cream Protein Cold Brew to 47 grams with Khloe’s pick in the same size.)

At Dunkin, you can add protein milk to any drink (adding 15 grams to a medium latte), and they’ve launched five drinks, ranging from a Caramel Chocolate Iced Protein Latte to Megan’s Mango Protein Refresher—as in, Megan Thee Stallion’s preferred blend of mango flavor and protein milk. (She teamed up with the brand to promote the launch.)

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is also going the protein latte route, launching vanilla, caramel and hazelnut flavors that offer 20 grams per serving.

Meanwhile, at Peet’s you can choose from one of three smoothie flavors (cold brew, matcha peach or strawberry) that pack 16 to 19 grams of protein per serving.

Not to be outdone, Smoothie King is offering a 100-Gram Protein Pack, which combines a Gladiator Smoothie (available in chocolate, vanilla or strawberry) with peanut butter toast and a protein box featuring things like hard-boiled eggs, fruit, cheese and flax crackers. 

Do people still say “ballin’ on a budget?” Did anyone ever really say that? Well, it’s a pretty accurate way to describe what the Fourth Meal-famous chain is up to these days. On Jan. 22, Taco Bell will launch its new Luxe Value Menu, featuring a mix of returning favorites (like the Cheesy Roll Up and Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito) alongside five “elevated” new additions, all for $3 or less. You can find my full review of the lineup here, but the TLDR? Don’t miss the Mini Taco Salad or Salted Caramel Churros. (Oh, and Rewards members can try everything as early as Jan. 16.)

Two new Bagel Stacks are hitting Panera Bread menus nationwide. First up is the Wake-Up BLT Asiago Everything Bagel Stack, which tops the Asiago Everything Bagel with Applewood smoked bacon, scrambled eggs, tomatoes, arugula and a cheesy benedict sauce. Second (but no less craveworthy) is the Farmhouse Duo Asiago Bagel Stack, which features sausage, scrambled eggs, American cheese and a garlic aioli drizzle. If that doesn’t make for a filling start to the day, I don’t know what will. (OK, I do—it’s this and a protein latte.)

The launch of Chili’s Big QP Burger was a bit of a wake-up call: Could you really snag a bigger, better and cheaper meal at a sit-down restaurant as opposed to hitting up the drive thru? How and when did fast food get so pricey? It seems like being budget-friendly has been top of mind for many chains this year. Here are just a handful of the deals you can find, beyond Taco Bell’s Luxe Menu:

• Arby’s debuted a Meat & 3 Value Box for $8, where you choose an entrée (roast beef or crispy chicken sandwich) and snag a small order of curly fries, two mozzarella sticks, a peach cobbler roll and a small drink.
• Cracker Barrel is offering a Meals for Two promotion, which allows you to choose two entrees and an appetizer or dessert for $20 when you dine at the restaurant Monday through Friday. (Entrée options include the Breakfast Burger and two returning classics: the Hamburger Steak, topped with buttery garlic sauce, and the Eggs in the Basket, aka that old-timey combo of grilled sourdough with a fried egg in the center.)
• Denny’s just launched Slammin’ Meal Deals, a roster of ten different meals that start at $5.99. Options include chicken tenders or a burger and fries, country-fried steak, the Super Slam and several new menu items, like a breakfast quesadilla and two-meat Scrambler.
• KFC is determined to end the sad desk lunch with not one but five different $5 Bowls. They range from a Spicy Mashed Potato Bowl featuring spuds covered in gravy, corn, chicken nuggets, cheese and Nashville hot sauce to a collab with The Bear’s Matty Matheson, known as Matty’s Cheesy Nuggy Gravy Bowl. (It’s inspired by poutine, featuring fries, brown gravy, nuggets and cheese curds.) After sampling them firsthand, I have to say: The Spicy Mashed Potato Bowl is not to be missed—it's got a great mix of swavory flavors and will fill you up until dinner.
• Sonic just launched a new All-American Sonic Smasher, and to celebrate, they’re offering an All-American Smasher Meal for $6. It includes the burger—which features two hand-smashed patties, layered with American cheese, lettuce, pickles, diced onions, ketchup and mayo, along with your choice of medium tots or fries and a medium soda or iced tea.
• Wendy's expands its Biggie Deals into $4, $6 and $8 options. For $4, you can choose between four-piece nuggets, a crispy chicken sandwich, Jr. cheeseburger, Jr. bacon cheeseburger or Jr. fry, and pair it with another four-piece nugget, Jr. fry or small drink. At the $6 level, you'll get a Jr. fry, four-piece nuggets, small drink and any of the aforementioned burgers or sandwiches, or even a Double Stack burger. And at $8, you'll snag a Jr. fry, small drink and two of the follow: crispy chicken sandwich, Jr. cheeseburger, Jr. bacon cheeseburger or Double Stack.
• Whataburger dropped a Whatadeal mini menu, featuring three items under $5. There’s the $3 Big Ranch Wrap, featuring crispy chicken, veggies, ranch dressing and American cheese; the $4 Whatachick’n Bites, aka five-piece nuggets; and a $5 bacon and cheese Whataburger Jr.

As you frantically dash to IKEA to scoop up cube organizers in hopes of finally getting organized in the new year, consider a stop by the furniture company’s café to try its new falafel balls. Made with chickpeas, zucchini, onions and a range of spices, they’re part of a company-wide effort to offer more plant-based menu items. They’re served alongside couscous, aioli and a lemon wedge (which I recommend spritzing for a zingy kick), all for $5.

Indecisive eaters (and chronic grazers), rejoice: TGI Fridays is offering two Treat Yourself Trios, aka three different apps, all served together, now through February 16. Choose from the Warm Up Trio ($11), which comes with a half-order of spinach artichoke dip, four mozzarella sticks with marinara and eight pretzel bites with poblano sauce, or the Level Up Trio ($15), which pairs eight boneless wings (ranch included, obvi) with two sliders and fries and loaded tots.

You can also stick to your Dry January resolutions with one of three $5 mocktails: The Pal-noma (a riff on a grapefruit-and-lime Paloma, topped with club soda), a Pink Lagoon (lime, dragon fruit syrup, club soda, lime and mint) and the Spring in Bloom (a lemonade-black tea combo that’s rounded out with strawberry puree, mint leaves and lemon).

More than 600,000 people have spoken, prompting Burger King to launch the Ultimate Steakhouse Whopper, as part of its Whopper By You series. The latest iteration features the flame-broiled burger topped with sautéed mushrooms, bacon, Swiss cheese, peppercorn aioli and onion rings.

As someone who has found the Whopper underwhelming, this iteration made me a convert. The earthy mushrooms play nicely with the flame-broiled flavor and smoky bacon. In just a few bites, I suddenly wondered why I don't visit BK more often—at least during this limited-time offering. (Psst: Be sure to check out the app for digital-exclusive deals on this too. And don't sleep on the crispy-on-the-outside, gooey-in-the-middle Cinnamon Apple Pie, which is also around for just a while.)

Burger King isn't the only one tailoring its menu to fans' requests. After pleas to bring back Steak Stroganoff reached a fever pitch—inspiring a series of AI-created dramatic videos based on social posts—Noodles & Company officially brought back the dish. It features egg noodles covered in mushroom-sherry cream sauce, topped with marinated steak, Parmesan and parsley, making it the ultimate cold-weather comfort food.

Just note that it's only available for a limited time, so if you want to see what all the fuss is about, you'd better act fast.