3 products pushing chain menu boundaries

Will these unconventional items bring a sales boost to Burger King, Dunkin’ Donuts and Olive Garden?

After seeing gains from new iterations of its Chicken Fries, Burger King Monday introduced its latest take on the item—Chicken Fries Rings—a chicken fry-onion ring hybrid of sorts.

“Even though the name on our door says Burger King restaurants, more and more of our guests are coming in for chicken,” Alex Macedo, president of the chain’s North America division, said in a statement.

A six-piece order of Chicken Fries Rings sells for $2.89.

Simultaneously with the introduction, Burger King is bringing back its rock-bottom deal of 10 chicken nuggets for $1.49.

In what may be its answer to McDonald’s Chicken McGriddle, Dunkin’ Donuts is reportedly trying its hand at a chicken and waffle sandwich.

The sandwich, which layers maple butter and breaded chicken between two Belgian waffles, will be available in the Tampa and Gainesville, Fla., markets, according to The Street. 

Doubling down on comfort food, Olive Garden debuted two versions of an Italian pot pie last month, the Orlando Sentinel says. The Chicken Con Broccoli iteration reimagines a fan favorite formerly ousted by the chain, stuffing chicken, cavatappi, Alfredo sauce and broccoli inside a pie crust. The other variety—dubbed Nonna’s Kitchen Sink—contains ziti, meatballs, sausage and cheese.