Fast Food Solutions for Lent

Happy Mardi Gras!

I hope you celebrate Fat Tuesday in true fast food style today, but Mardi Gras, of course, also marks the beginning of Lent tomorrow.  And some fast food chains have dining solutions available for those observing Lent.

Lenten season menu items and specials include:

• Long John Silver's is, of course, a perennial go-to solution during Lent.  They are currently launching their new Crispy Breaded Pollock with the supporting Spin & Win Fish Fry online sweepstakes.
• Captain D's Seafood Kitchen has their new Butterfly Shrimp Dippers; the 15-piece meal is only $4.99.
• Jack in the Box will be offering their Fish Sandwich for just $1.49 during Lent.  They also have 2 other fish products: Fish & Chips for $3.99 and the Fish Pita Snack for $1.99.
• Dairy Queen has a Popcorn Shrimp Basket which includes fries, coleslaw and cocktail sauce.
• A&W Restaurants has brought back their 21-piece Shrimp and Fries.

Jack's Chorizo Sausage Breakfast Burrito

Jack in the Box has introduced a new breakfast menu item: the Chorizo Sausage Breakfast Burrito.

It is scrambled eggs, crumbled Chorizo sausage, hash brown sticks and Cheddar cheese sauce wrapped in a flour tortilla and served with a side of salsa.

“Chorizo has been a popular breakfast choice for years, but it’s hard to find on the menus of our major competitors,” said Teka O’Rourke, director of menu marketing and promotions for Jack in the Box Inc. “With Latin flavors gaining in popularity and breakfast such an important daypart for our business, we thought this was the perfect time to add more south-of-the-border flavor to our menu. As with our full menu, our new Chorizo Sausage Breakfast Burrito is available all day, every day.”

The Chorizo Sausage Burrito is priced at $2.99.

And it would be hard to imagine a healthier way to start your day! This baby weighs in with almost 700 calories, 35 grams of fat and 138% of your recommended daily value of Cholesterol! Not to mention 3 healthy grams of Trans Fat! </end sarcasm> Here's the complete nutritional info:

Free Taco Tuesday (8/4) @ Jack in the Box

UPDATE: Jack in the Box is doing this again on Tuesday, August 11.

Jack in the Box has posted a coupon good for 2 free Taco's tomorrow.

You must print the coupon and it is only good on Tuesday, August 4, 2009; one coupon per guest, per visit.  One offer per coupon.

Don't miss out on your 2 free tacos!

Jack's Back With New Logo

The Jack in the Box ad campaign that started during the Super Bowl with Jack being hit by a bus has now resulted in a new Jack in the Box logo being unveiled (and Jack being released from the hospital).

The new logo prominently features the name "Jack" in script lettering above a simpler, low-key "in the Box," with the swooping tail of the "k" in "Jack" mimicking the large, red smile of the chain's icon.

Here's the new logo:

Another redesign will be coming on February 16, when there will be a new jackinthebox.com website. This is really a long time coming. While most of the other fast food restaurants have taken their websites to the next level with interactive features, Jack's website has started to look a little stale. (By the way, another exception to these improvements is McDonald's; their website is still pretty basic, too.)

Terri Graham, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Jack in the Box Inc says, “We’re committed to re-energizing our brand through a comprehensive restaurant re-image program, the introduction of an updated logo, and continued menu innovation that will provide our guests exciting new products they can order anytime day or night. Jack in the Box is one of the only major QSR chains that offer its full menu all day.”

Changes will include the new logo, new website, a restaurant 're-image program,' menu innovation, and social networking.

Regarding the menu, "Later this month, Jack in the Box will launch a new product platform with the introduction of Mini Sirloin Burgers, which feature a trio of all-sirloin patties topped with American cheese, grilled onions and ketchup served on bakery-style buns reminiscent of Hawaiian sweet rolls."

Jack's Shameless Superbowl Head Trauma

Like millions of others, you probably saw Jack get hit by a bus in the Jack in the Box ad during the Superbowl.

The 'official statement' after the ad says "In lieu of sending flowers, please order anything on the menu, anytime of the day.  Jack would want it that way."

Just another attempt at fast food viral marketing (with a huge Superbowl price tag), and the requisite web site www.hangintherejack.com.

Miss it?  You can see all the Superbowl ads over at Hulu (see below).

But for now, here's some fake cell phone video taken right after the accident:

We wrote about the Denny's Superbowl ad and free Grand Slam on Monday.

The only other fast food Superbowl ad was Taco Bell's. And we think that was a huge FAIL.

Here's all the Superbowl ads (on Hulu):

Jack's Holiday Shakes

Looks like it's time for those special fast food holiday shakes!

We wrote about Chick-fil-a's Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake last week.

Now Jack in the Box has announced that their Egg Nog and Pumpkin Shakes are back for the holidays, too.

They have returned each year since their introductions in 2000 and 2004 respectively.

"Our Egg Nog and Pumpkin Pie shakes have become real signs of the season for many of our guests,” said Teka O’Rourke, director of menu marketing and promotions for Jack in the Box Inc. “They're a delicious way to get into the holiday spirit."

They'll be available for a limited time, of course, and priced at $2.49 for the 16 oz size and $2.99 for the 24 oz size.

The 16 oz Egg Nog Shake has 730 calories, 320 of them from fat. But hey, it's the holidays and that New Year's resolution is months away! Go for the 24 oz Egg Nog Shake with 1450 calories, 610 calories from fat, 68 grams of fat (105% of the daily recommended amount) and 24 grams of saturated fat (225% of the daily recommended amount)!! Unfortunately you'll be getting 3 grams of Trans Fat with that, too. Ho Ho Ho!!

Homestyle Chicken and Churro's From Jack, too

Okay, this is the third Jack in the Box post for today (and they would have been another if I didn't cover two topics in this one!), but that's just the way news happens... and, frankly, we haven't gotten any fast food news from Jack in the Box for quite awhile.

First, Jack in the Box is integrating their Homestyle Chicken Fillet into two new menu items, the Homestyle Ranch Chicken Club and the Breakfast Homestyle Chicken Biscuit.

The Homestyle Ranch Chicken Club puts the homestyle chicken fillet on a bun with bacon, 'swiss-style' cheese, lettuce and tomato, with ranch sauce. It has 760 calories and 38 grams of fat (complete nutritional information is below). It is priced at $4.29.

The Breakfast Homestyle Chicken Biscuit, is the chicken fillet on a warm buttermilk biscuit. No nutritional data yet. It costs $2.99. Both are served all day.

"Crispy chicken items are very appealing to consumers," said Teka O'Rourke, director of menu marketing and promotions for Jack in the Box Inc. "We've had great success with our Jack's Spicy Chicken sandwich and think the home-made flavor of our new Homestyle Chicken will also be a hit with guests."

Secondly, Jack is introducing a new dessert to "reflect a growing trend...toward smaller desserts."

The Mini Churros are bite-sized pastries with a cinnamon sugar filling.

The come in a 5-count and 10-count size. 5 Mini Churros are $1.00, ten cost $1.89.

"Bite-sized treats, like our new Mini Churros, have been increasing in
popularity," said Teka O'Rourke, director of menu marketing and
promotions for Jack in the Box Inc. "They're ideal for guests who want
just a little something sweet after a meal or as a snack."

Jack Brings Back Teriyaki Bowls

Jack has brought back their Teriyaki Bowl. It was first introduced in 1993, but was taken off the menu in 2003. Now it's back.

"We've had plenty of products come and go over the years, but few made an impression like the Teriyaki Bowl," said Teka O'Rourke, director of menu marketing and promotions. "We've had lots of requests to bring it back, so we did, and it tastes just as great as the original."

The Teriyaki Bowls at Jack in the Box have steamed white rice, broccoli florets and carrots with a choice of either chicken or steak topped with teriyaki sauce. It is served in a sealed bowl and is priced at $4.29 for chicken and $4.79 for steak.

Both these Bowls are relatively low in fat, if that's what you're trying to avoid. And no Trans Fat! They do have quite a bit of sodium and sugars, but that is the nature of a Teriyaki dish. The Chicken version has 580 calories and 5 grams of fat, the Steak version has 650 calories and 10 grams of fat. Complete nutritional information is below.

Jack's New Antenna Ball a Fundraiser

Jack in the Box antenna balls have been promoting the fast food chain from car antennas for over 10 years now.

But starting today, Jack in the Box is introducing a whole new breed of antenna balls and they'll be raising funds and awareness for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

The new antenna ball, dubbed "Beanie Jack," features a classic Jack-style antenna ball wearing a multi-colored beanie cap topped with a propeller. Beanie Jack will be sold for $1, excluding tax, at all participating Jack in the Box restaurants, while supplies last. Seventy percent of Beanie Jack sales will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters, the primary charitable partner of The Jack in the Box Foundation for the past 10 years.

Big Brothers Big Sisters helps vulnerable children break negative odds. The movement relies on donations to help recruit volunteers and reach more children.

Jack's Pita Snacks

Jack in the Box has introduced Pita Snacks. They call it "a new product platform of snack-sized, wrap-style sandwiches."

The Pita Snacks come in a choice of grilled or crispy chicken strips, steak, or fish fillet and include shredded cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce and a chipotle sauce. They are wrapped in a pita made with whole grain.

"Due to busy schedules, many consumers are eating at non-traditional meal times," said Teka O'Rourke, director of menu marketing and promotions for Jack in the Box Inc. "As a result, snacks have really grown in popularity. Our Pita Snacks are ideal for in between meal grazing or as an addition to a larger meal."

The Pita Snacks will set you back $1.99. They are not yet available in all markets.

UPDATE: Review and photo at The Impulsive Buy

Jack's Cheesy Macaroni Bites

Jack in the Box has introduced Cheesey Macaroni Bites. They are "wedges of macaroni noodles and real Kraft® cheese enveloped in a crunchy tempura-style coating."

"Mac 'n' cheese is an American classic that's universally loved," said Teka O'Rourke, director of menu marketing and promotions for Jack in the Box Inc. "Our new Cheesy Macaroni Bites offer the same great flavor of the original dish, but in a unique, finger-food style that's very convenient and portable."

Okay, okay, that's all well and good, but they just look scary. I'm sure Jack hired a professional photographer for this press release photo, but, wow...what are those!?!? And take note... they are high in trans fat and loaded with sodium. (see the nutritional info below)

Jack's Cheesy Macaroni Bites are available for the suggested price, excluding tax, of $1.69 for three pieces and $2.99 for six pieces.

By the way...the above description of these Macaroni Bites is the second time I've noticed "tempura" being used to describe the batter on fast food this week. From McDonald's official Q&A site: "McDonald's Chicken McNuggets® are made from white meat chicken coated in a light tempura batter." Is "tempura" the new food industry catch-phrase for "batter fried"?

Nutritional Information:

Jack's Cheesy Macaroni Bits, 6 pieces, has 440 calories, 230 calories from fat, 25 grams fat, 10 grams saturated fat, 4 grams trans fat, 30 mg cholesterol, 1220 mg sodium, 21 grams carbs, 2 grams fiber, 3 grams sugars and 6 grams protein.

Jack's Nacho Cheese Value Menu

Jack in the Box has 2 new 'value menu' items for sale this summer: the Nacho Cheese Burger and Nacho Cheese Chicken Sandwich.

From Jack's press release on these 2 sandwiches: "Some truths can't be denied – the earth revolves around the sun, water boils at 212 degrees at sea level, and everything, absolutely everything tastes better covered in cheese...Jack's new Nacho Cheese Burger and Nacho Cheese Chicken Sandwich feature a choice of a beef or chicken patty topped with cheddar cheese sauce and spicy, sliced jalapenos."

Both sandwiches will cost you $1.29 (pre-tax) at most Jack in the Box restaurants.

Jack's Sirloin Steak Melt

Jack in the Box has a new sirloin sandwich called the Sirloin Steak Melt.

The Melt features slices of marinated sirloin steak and American, cheddar, and Swiss-style cheese topped with grilled onions and peppercorn mayo on grilled sourdough bread.

"Our new melt has everything our guests crave – sirloin steak, lots of cheese and our grilled sourdough bread," said Teka O'Rourke, director of menu marketing and promotions for Jack in the Box. "It's an incredibly satisfying, indulgent sandwich with very broad appeal."

The Sirloin Steak Melt sells for $3.99 at participating Jack in the Box restaurants.

Jack's Sirloin Steak Melt has 640 calories, 360 calories from fat, 40 grams total fat, 13 grams saturated fat, 2 grams trans fat, 100 mg cholesterol, 1490 mg sodium, 34 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 4 grams sugars, and 36 grams protein.

Jack's new 'Bold Roast' coffee

Jack in the Box introduced their new "Bold Roast Coffee" yesterday.

They call it "a full-bodied brew that blends coffeehouse quality with fast-food value and convenience."

Jack's new java features a European roast of 100% Arabica beans. It comes in regular and decaf and is served in two sizes – regular (12-ounce, $1.29) and large (16-ounce, $1.49).

"Today's consumers are more knowledgeable about coffee and have higher expectations," said Tammy Bailey, division vice president of menu marketing for Jack in the Box Inc. "They want a brew that has a rich, complex flavor, which our new Bold Roast Coffee delivers."

McDonald's and Chick-fil-a, among other's have already introduced upgraded fast food coffee.

So, fast food restaurants are finally starting to recognize consumers appreciation of better coffee. In fact, earlier this year Consumer Reports ranked McDonald's coffee higher than Starbucks.

Jack's holiday shakes and antenna ball

Jack in the Box has begun celebrating the holidays with 2 seasonal menu items and a free holiday antenna ball.

Jack has brought back the Pumpkin Pie Shake and the Egg Nog Shake. A free holiday antenna ball is yours with the purchase of either of these shakes (otherwise the holiday antenna ball is 99 cents).

Jack is proud to point out that these shakes are made with real ice cream, but a little less proud to admit that they contain trans fats (hopefully they'll eliminate those soon).

“We’ve developed an amazing array of unique shake flavors over the years, and the Pumpkin Pie and Egg Nog shakes are popular standouts in the category,” said Teka O’Rourke, director of menu marketing and promotions for Jack in the Box Inc. “We’re excited to bring them back this season, along with our Holiday Antenna Ball, as a gift to our guests.”

The shakes are available in 16 and 24 oz sizes and priced at $2.49 and $2.99 respectively.

The large (24 oz) Egg Nog Shake has 1210 calories, 510 calories from fat, 57 grams of fat, 39 grams of saturated fat, 3 grams of trans fat (!), 190 mg of cholesterol, 390 mg sodium, 152 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 110 grams of sugars, and 18 grams of protein. (Divide the above by 1.39 for the approximate info for the smaller 16 oz Egg Nog Shake.)

The large (24 oz) Pumpkin Pie Shake has 1170 calories, 510 calories from fat, 51 grams of fat, 29 grams of saturated fat, 2.5 grams of trans fat, 190 mg cholesterol, 410 mg sodium, 144 grams carbs, 1 gram fiber, 123 grams sugars, and 18 grams protein. (Divide the above by 1.36 for the 16 oz Pumpkin Pie Shake.)

Jack rolls out 'contactless' payments

Jack in the Box will be the first fast food restaurant to offer 'contactless' payment at all their restaurant locations.

'Contactless' payment allows a customer to pay without having to swipe their credit card. These contactless readers are common at gas stations and 7-11 stores. You'll have to have an American Express Expresspay, Discover Network, MasterCard PayPass™ or Visa Contactless card or device embedded with a chip that communicates with the reader via radio frequency.

“Guests no longer need to fumble for cash and coins, swipe a card or sign a receipt. Since they activate the transaction themselves by holding their cards 1 to 2 inches from the contactless reader, they can keep control of their cards while our cashiers can focus on providing great guest service," said Michael Verdesca, director of point-of-sale systems for Jack in the Box Inc.

All of Jack's contactless readers should all be installed by the end of the year.

more on contactless payments at wikipedia.

Jack's steak ciabatta sandwich

Jack in the Box has introduced another sandwich to their Ciabatta line, the Sirloin Steak 'n' Cheddar Ciabatta.

The sandwich features sirloin steak on toasted ciabatta bread with cheddar cheese, red onions, tomatoes and lettuce topped with peppercorn mayo.

It sells for $4.59 at most US Jack in the Box locations.

Jack's Sirloin Steak 'n' Cheddar Ciabatta has 770 calories, 339 calories from fat, 37 g of fat, 8 g saturated fat, .4 g trans fat, 112 mg cholesterol, 1307 mg sodium, 65 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 5 g sugars, 43 g protein.

Fast food industry generosity

It's been a good month for generosity in the fast food industry...

Taco Bell operators donate 10% of day’s sales to charity:

One hundred twenty-eight Taco Bell restaurants in the Northern California region participated in a one-day fundraiser Sept. 19 to benefit teen programs at local Boys & Girls Clubs. The "Taco Bell for Teens" Day awarded 10 percent of the day's proceeds, as well as a matching donation from the Taco Bell Foundation, to fund late-night recreation programs at the 12 local Boys & Girls Clubs.

Jack in the Box raises $275,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters:

The Jack in the Box Foundation held its annual charity golf tournament benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters and raised $275,000 for the non-profit organization, its primary charitable partner since 1998.

Carl's Jr. raises $300,000 for breast cancer:

Carl's Jr. announced last week that customers supporting an in-store restaurant fundraising program in May 2006 donated more than $300,00 for breast cancer awareness and support. During the month-long "Pink Star" charity promotion in May of this year, Carl's Jr. restaurant guests at nearly 1,000 locations across the western U.S. were encouraged to donate $1 to breast cancer when placing their order at the register. As a thank-you for the donation, these guests received a personalized pink Happy Star(TM) to put on display in the lobby and a coupon redeemable for a free beverage on a future visit. "We at Carl's Jr. are proud of our commitment to community involvement, and are pleased to see that commitment benefit others through this year's Pink Star breast cancer donation program," said president and chief executive officer Andrew F. Puzder.

via QSR Web

Jack adds new breakfast biscuits

Jack in the Box has added two new Buttermilk Biscuit Sandwiches to their breakfast menu: the Bacon, Egg and Cheese and the Sausage, Egg and Cheese.

They both feature an egg, American cheese and a choice of either bacon or sausage tucked into a buttermilk biscuit. Guests can also order Buttermilk Biscuits á la carte with a side of butter and jam.

“With new players entering the breakfast market and long-time competitors building up their breakfast menus, it’s important that we continue to offer high-quality products that appeal to a variety of consumers,” said Teka O’Rourke, director of menu marketing and promotions for Jack in the Box. “Our Buttermilk Biscuit Sandwiches offer something for everyone – they’re loaded with hearty ingredients, have great flavor and are easy to eat while sitting in rush hour traffic.”

Jack in the Box claims to be "the first fast-food chain to offer a breakfast sandwich way back in 1969."

Jack in the Box has also added Minute Maid Orange Juice to its breakfast menu. And unlike most other fast food restaurants, Jack offers their breakfast menu all day long, not just in the morning.

Unfortunately, both breakfast biscuit sandwiches are loaded with trans fat. The Sausage version has significantly more calories and fat; 310 more calories and 30 more grams of fat.

The Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit has 430 calories, 220 calories from fat, 25 g fat, 8 g saturated fat, 5 g trans fat, 220 mg cholesterol, 1100 mg sodium, 34 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 3 g sugars, 17 g protein. The Sausage, Egg & Cheese Biscuit has 740 calories, 490 calories from fat, 55 g fat, 17 g saturated fat, 6 g trans fat, 280 mg cholesterol, 1430 mg sodium, 35 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 3 g sugars, 27 g protein.

Jack’s new Buttermilk Biscuit sandwiches are $1.99 and Minute Maid Orange Juice is $1.49.

Jack's outlaw sandwiches

Jack in the Box has introduced two new western themed sandwiches, the Outlaw Burger and the Outlaw Spicy Chicken Sandwich.

They feature, respectively, either a jumbo beef patty or spicy crispy chicken breast with fried onion rings, slices of bacon, slices of American cheese, lettuce and tomatoes topped with KC Masterpiece Original Barbecue Sauce served on a toasted sesame bun.

“Consumers are looking for unique tastes and options when they dine out,” said Teka O’Rourke, director of menu marketing and promotions at Jack in the Box. “Offering our guests bold barbecue flavor with the choice of beef or chicken answers both demands.”

UPDATE: Jack in the Box was nice enough to e-mail nutritional data for these sandwiches today. The burger has 820 calories, 380 calories from fat, 42 grams fat, 17 grams saturated fat, 4 grams trans fat, 75 mg cholesterol, 1610 mg sodium, 80 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 23 grams sugars, and 30 grams protein. The chicken sandwich has 780 calories, 290 calories from fat, 32 grams fat, 10 grams saturated fat, 5 grams trans fat, 70 mg cholesterol, 1930 mg sodium, 92 grams carbs, 5 grams fiber, 23 grams sugars, and 33 grams protein. The high sugar levels are probably due to the high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in the bun and the KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce.

Jack adds topping and cherry to shakes

Jack in the Box has been adding new flavors to their series of 'real ice cream' shakes and now they're adding whipped topping and a cherry.

Also, Jack's shakes are now served in a clear plastic cup with a domed lid to fit over the new toppings.

They're also adding a new shake flavor: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake.

Jack's shakes are priced at $2.49 for a regular and $2.99 for a large.

Jack's new value meal

Jack in the Box has introduced a new value-priced combo meal they're calling "The Big Deal." The meal includes a chicken sandwich, two beef tacos and a 20-ounce beverage for $2.59.

This is an addition to Jack's existing value menu. Jack is promoting this combo as a "response to rising gas prices," because "penny pinching has become a necessity for many Americans."

“Value is definitely top of mind for many consumers,” said Teka O’Rourke, director of menu marketing and promotions for Jack in the Box. “The Big Deal is ideal for our guests who want a variety of menu items for a price that doesn’t squeeze their wallet.”

This value combo meal may be low-priced, but it isn't low-calorie! It has 892 calories, 327 calories from fat, 37 grams of fat, 11 grams saturated fat, 4.3 grams trans fat, 63 mg cholesterol, 1274 mg sodium, 114 grams carbs, 6 grams fiber, 58 grams sugars, and 25 grams protein. (These totals are calculated with Coke Classic as the 20 oz. beverage.)

Jack's new Acapulco Chicken Salad

Jack in the Box today announced their new Acapulco Chicken Salad. It has romaine and spring mix lettuce topped with grilled chicken, shredded pepper jack cheese, grape tomatoes, cucumber slices and red onions served with a side of blue corn tortilla strips and a cilantro-lime dressing. The salad also comes with a couple of lime wedges.

“Ethnic cuisines, particularly Latin flavors, are becoming more popular with American consumers,” said Teka O’Rourke, director of menu marketing and promotions for Jack in the Box. “With hints of lime and cilantro, our new Acapulco Chicken Salad offers a unique, sophisticated taste that’s rare in the quick-serve industry.”

The salad is priced at $4.89.

Sorry to have 2 entries about new menu items from Jack in the Box in the same week, but I was a little late with the fruit cup annoucnement below and then today they annouce this new salad... so it goes.

Jack adds healthy summer items

Jack in the Box has added a fruit cup and bottled water to their menu this summer.

The fruit cup is a 7-ounce serving of cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple and red grapes served in a sealed cup.

“When the summer heat kicks in, consumers crave something that tastes light and refreshing,” said Teka O’Rourke, director of menu marketing and promotions for Jack in the Box.

“Our Fresh Fruit Cup is cool and crisp and makes a great side for a Breakfast Jack in the morning or a ciabatta burger at lunch or dinner.”

Jack has also begun selling Dannon bottled water.

The 'Fresh Fruit Cup' is priced at $2.29 and the Dannon bottled water is $1.29.

Jack intros sunshine and chipotle

Two new items were announced by Jack in the Box today: the Chipotle Chicken Ciabatta Sandwich and the Orange & Cream Shake.

The new Chipotle Chicken Ciabatta Sandwich "features a choice of grilled or spicy crispy chicken with green leaf lettuce, sliced tomatoes, bacon and real cheddar cheese topped with a smoky chipotle sauce on the chain’s signature hearth-baked ciabatta bread."

The Orange & Cream Shake, aka Sunshine in a cup, is part of Jack's "ever-expanding lineup of real ice cream shakes." It features orange flavor blended into vanilla ice cream.

Fast food's 'holiday' references

The controversy over "Happy Holidays" vs. "Merry Christmas" seems to have really heated up this year. I actually got invited to a "I'll call it a Christmas Party if I Want To" party! thrown by someone who said they're sick of all the "religious correctness." Many people are being careful not to offend; many of the 'Christmas' cards I got this year did not mention Christmas at all. And of course there's been boycotts against many retailers who've been accused by Christian groups of not including specific Christmas references in their stores, websites, and holiday marketing.

With this in mind, I decided to take a look at some fast food restaurants' web sites today, with Christmas only a day and a half away, and see what sort of 'holiday' references I might find.

The following sites had no mention of the holiday season whatsoever: Burger King, Carls Jr., Chick-fil-a, Church's Chicken, Del Taco, In-N-Out, KFC, Long John Silver's, McDonald's, Panera, and Taco Bell.

One thing about that list really surprised me. I was surprised that Chick-fil-a didn't have a "Merry Christmas" on their site, since they promote themselves as a Christian company every week by keeping their restaurants closed on Sunday.

I didn't see Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanza mentioned specifically anywhere, but here are some holiday references I did find:

• Dairy Queen is promoting a "Merry Mint Chip Blizzard" on their site, but doesn't mention Christmas or the holiday season specifically.
• Hardee's had a "Big Holiday Rockin' Good Promo" (an LCD TV giveaway) on their site two days ago, but interestingly, today (12/23), it is just called the "Rockin' Good Promo." Hmm.
• Jack in the Box has special Holiday Antenna Balls.
• Sonic Drive-Ins has a Holiday Scratch & Win Game and a Gingerbread Blast (aka a gingerbread shake).
• Subway has a special section on "Surviving the Holiday Hunger" written by their staff dietician.
• Wendy's homepage promotes and links to some holiday related topics at the Dave Thomas Foundation including a Hallmark Adoption Ornament and a television special that aired Wednesday (12/21) on CBS.

Fast food cards everywhere

Plastic gift cards (resembling credit cards) have become very popular with most major retailers in recent years and now that most of the fast food industry has (most only fairly recently) begun to accept credit cards they, too, are taking advantage of their magnetic stripe capabilities.


So far I've discovered these 'convenience cards' at Jack in the Box (Jack CA$H), McDonald's (Arch Card), Burger King, Taco Bueno, Sonic Drive-In, White Castle, and Starbucks. Some of the chains even have special websites for their cards and use the new web addresses in their TV ads, like www.mytacobuenocard.com and www.mysoniccard.com.

The industry seems to have a lot of confidence in the brand loyalty-building abilities of these cards. McDonald's, for example, is putting 13 million $1 cards out there for free via Southwest Airlines and American Express.

[thanks: McChronicles & MBP]

Jack's new Butterfinger Cheesecake

Jack in the Box has introduced the Butterfinger Cheesecake. The dessert is a classic-style cheesecake topped with melted pieces of Butterfinger candy bar.

Jack introduces root beer float

Jack in the Box is now offering a root beer float made with Barq's Root Beer and "real vanilla ice cream" at its restaurants. It retails for $1.99.

Jack introduces fancy buns for burgers

Jack in the Box has introduced 2 new burger sandwiches on Ciabatta "artisan-style" bread: the Original Ciabatta Burger and the Bacon 'n' Cheese Ciabatta Burger. They feature the same hearth-baked ciabatta roll as the chain’s Bruschetta and Classic Chicken Ciabatta sandwiches. [press release]