SAN DIEGO Jack in the Box has joined the stream of quick-service chains that are eying ice cream floats as a new customer draw.
The regional chain's entrant, a line called Real Ice Cream Floats, features vanilla ice cream mixed with a choice of sodas, including Barq's Root Beer, Dr Pepper and Fanta Orange. The treats are available in 16- and 24-oz. servings, with suggested retail prices of $2.29 and $2.79, respectively.
Wendy's units in Las Vegas and other selected areas are offering floats in what appears to be a market test for a possible nationwide rollout. The drinks feature the soft-serve ice cream used in the chain's Frosty line, mixed with root beer and other sodas.
The Sonic drive-in chain features made-to-order floats, and root beer floats are a signature of A&W, Yum! Brands' retro burger chain.
Burger King has used floats as limited-time offers in recent years.
Jack in the Box operates or franchises 2,100 namesake restaurants in 17 states, as well as more than 350 Qdoba Mexican Grill restaurants in 39 states.
