As we head into March, chain restaurants continue to tout value as a lure for customers. Meal deals and freebies are trending on menus, but we’re also starting to see small signs of spring peeking through. Here’s a roundup of new items and LTOs hitting menus now.
Chicken, bacon and ranch are trending at Taco Bell. Chicken Bacon Ranch Nacho Fries are launching nationwide, featuring the chain’s iconic Nacho Fries piled with slow-roasted chicken, bacon, Avocado Ranch Sauce, warm nacho cheese and pico de gallo for $4.99. The same flavor profile shows up on Chicken Bacon Ranch Street Chalupas, composed of toasted cheddar street chalupa shells filled with slow-roasted chicken, bacon, pico de gallo, shredded cheddar and Avocado Ranch Sauce ($5.99 for two.) In test in Grand Rapids, Michigan is the Cantina Bowl. It starts with a base of rice with layers of roasted chicken, black beans, iceberg lettuce, purple cabbage, sour cream, pico de gallo, guacamole, and seasoned Chalupa chips for crunch.
Taco Bell's Chicken Bacon Ranch Nacho Fries. | Photo courtesy of Taco Bell.
National Chili Day arrives Thursday, and on that day, Wendy’s customers can score a free small Chili with any $5 food or drink purchase online or through the app. Wendy’s Chili, on the menu since 1969, is made with beef, vegetables, chili beans and spice. It’s a fan favorite, as the chain sells over 5.5. million gallons of chili annually in the U.S.
IHOP is officially declaring the first Tuesday of March as National Pancake Day and to celebrate, guests will be treated to a free Short Stack of buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. To commemorate the kickoff of this annual event on Mar. 3, the chain is partnering with viral creator and musician Mr. Fantasy. Customers who live in the LA area will have a chance to meet him in person at IHOP’s Hollywood restaurant on Sunset Blvd.
A new $9 Chicken Mini Meal is new at Guzman y Gomez. The bundled combo includes a Mini Chicken Burrito or Bowl with grilled chicken, Chipotle-Seasoned Fries, Chipotle Mayo and a 22-ounce soft drink. The smaller-portioned value meal is not an LTO—it will remain on the permanent menu.
Fazoli's launches an Alfredo Fest. | Photo courtesy of Fazoli's.
Alfredo Fest has launched at Fazoli’s, running now through Apr. 27. Cheesy Alfredo sauce is the foundation for each of the five LTOs, starting with Baked Fettuccine Alfredo ($4.99). Here, fettuccine is tossed with Alfredo sauce and baked with a blend of mozzarella and provolone, then finished with Parmesan Spice Blend. There’s also Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo with diced Italian-style chicken ($11.99) and Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo ($12.99). Bigger appetites can try Loaded Chicken or Loaded Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo, both of which have the addition of Parmesan-roasted broccoli, bacon and sauteed mushooms.
A Protein Packed menu dropped nationwide at Jimmy John’s, filled with six of the sandwich chain’s protein-centric items. There’s the Big John #2, Turkey Tom #4, Billy Club #8, Country Club #11, Bootleggers Club #14, and Chicken Caesar Wrap. Protein content ranges from 23 to 43 grams per item and all are under 500 calories, but the sandwiches all eliminate mayo and a couple recommend taking the bread out.
Pink Cannon Ball beverages at Starbucks. | Photo courtesy of Starbucks.
Two new beverages make their debut at Starbucks to tie into the finale of MrBeast’s Beast Games reality show. The Pink Cannon Ball Drink is a blend of two Refreshers—Mango Dragonfruit and Strawberry Acai—shaken with ice and topped with Strawberry and Dragonfruit to create a cascading color. The original Cannon Ball Drink also remains on the menu and beginning Monday, customers can unlock a secret menu beverage called the Cold Foam Cannon Ball through the Starbucks app.
Takeout and delivery deals called “Juan’s Combos” are rolling out at Margaritas Mexican Restaurant Monday. Prices start at $10.99 and include an entrée with a side (rice, black beans or refried beans) and a fountain drink or bottled water, along with chips and salsa. Choices include the Baked Burrito filled with chicken, beef, carnitas or veggies; Aztec Quesadilla with Jack cheese, corn salsa and salsa fresca; and Dos Tacos Americanos with chicken, ground beef, carnitas or grilled veggies.
Special deals on takeout meals at Margarita's. | Photo courtesy of Margarita's Mexican Restaurant.
In honor of Pi Day on Mar. 14, Paisano’s is offering a large cheese pizza for $3.14. The deal is only valid on that day, but customers must also purchase a regular order over $20 and use the code PIDAY.
Early spring specials make their debut at Gott’s Roadside. Running through March 25 are a Chicken Parmesan Sandwich layered with crispy chicken, house-made tomato sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan and basil pesto on a pressed Italian roll. Joining the sandwich are Mozzarella Sticks and a Pistachio Shake. Another round of LTOs will launch on March 26, including a Cubano sandwich, Artichokes Two Ways and a Horchata Shake.
Fast casual Urban Plates is expanding its grass-fed burger lineup with three additions. The Duroc Bacon Cheeseburger tops a chargrilled patty with melted American cheese and Duroc pork bacon, while the Avocado Cheeseburger is layered with American cheese and sliced avocado. Last up is the Crispy Onion Cheeseburger with American cheese and crispy seasoned onions. All also include toppings of lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles, and are finished with house-made Thousand Island dressing on a grilled bun. There’s also a new French Dip Sandwich with roast strip loin, horseradish, Havarti cheese and caramelized red onions served with a cup of au jus and roasted Harissa Lime Cauliflower as a side. 
Checkers & Rally's puts a new spin on chicken sandwiches. | Photo courtesy of Checkers & Rally's.
Clucker Sandwiches are new at Checkers & Rally’s, an upgrade on the basic QSR chicken sandwich. The Garlic Swiss Clucker is topped with Swiss cheese, crispy onions and garlic mayo, while the Cheesy Bacon Clucker is layered with American cheese, melted cheddar, dill pickles and two strips of bacon. Both start with either crispy or grilled white meat chicken.
Butterfly Shrimp are back at Golden Chick through April 12. The shrimp are coated in a light panko breading that delivers crunch without heavy batter. A six-piece combo with a roll and beverage is $8.99, while a 10-piece combo is $11.99. Also returning for the Lenten season is Southern-Fried Catfish. Catfish meals run $12.99 for three pieces.
Papa Murphy’s is turning up the heat with a limited-time Jalapeño Popper Pizza ($12.99.) The take-and-bake pie is topped with garlic butter, ranch seasoning, jalapeño ranch sauce, mozzarella, bacon and jalapeño slices. A cream cheese packet is included with each order so guests can drizzle it on before the pizza goes in the oven.
Cheetos brand snacks and Taco Cabana are teaming up on the limited-time Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Queso Rojo collection. The spiced-up queso is a fresh take on the chain’s signature queso, adding a characteristic flavor profile that delivers layered heat and a signature red color. Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Queso Rojo Loaded Fries are topped with the fiery queso, seasoned ground beef and sour cream and the Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Queso Rojo Wrap Meal includes a chicken wrap, a Cabana Refresher, 2-ounce bag of Cheetos and side of queso rojo.
The Mike’s Hot Honey Flavored Shrimp menu has landed at Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses. The sweet-and-spicy condiment is available on Fried Shrimp, Grilled Shrimp with a hot honey glaze and Coconut Shrimp, which pairs a tropical crunch with the honey. Mike's Hot Honey To Go Wings are also on offer through April 12 for takeout orders.
Yogurtland's collab with Disney and Pixar on a frozen yogurt flavor. | Photo courtesy of Yogurtland.
To celebrate the release of Hoppers, a new movie, Yogurtland is partnering with Disney and Pixar to launch a limited-edition frozen yogurt flavor inspired by the lead character. Available through March 29, No Sugar Added Mabel’s Nutty Adventure features the chain’s pecans-and-pralines frozen yogurt with toasted pecans and butter praline. Guests can customize their swirl with various toppings, such as Adventure Almonds.
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