Not many chains are introducing brand new menu items these days, because they’re busy closing their dining rooms and gearing up for more takeout and delivery.
Some chain’s, like Frisch’s Big Boy and Tender Greens, have added groceries to their lineup, and Jimmy John’s and Mendocino farms are selling loaves of bread, but the most common response seems to be offering bundled meals, usually to feed families of four.
That’s what Cowboy Chicken, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Steak ’n Shake and Torchy’s Tacos are doing.
Fogo de Chão is selling its premium cuts of meat raw for its customers to cook at home, and Nékter Juice Bar is selling fruit for people to make into smoothies for themselves. Smoothie King is giving free immunity boosts, Buffalo Wild Wings has launched a range of takeout bundles
McDonald’s has phased out its all-day breakfast so its operators can focus on their increasingly busy evening daypart, and Olive Garden has brought back its popular Buy One, Take One offer, obviously for takeout only.
Panda Express, meanwhile, was planning to introduce a new low-calorie beef item, and it has done just that.
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