If Popeyes, Cracker Barrel, and McDonald’s are some of the chains you love to eat at, there’s plenty of excitement in store for you in August. All of these establishments – and many other popular restaurant chains – are updating their menus this month with a host of exciting new foods, drinks, and other treats.
The new arrivals range from decadent desserts to succulent chicken to super-affordable menu deals. And as we near the end of summer, customers may not be surprised to learn that some chains are already preparing for fall 2024 by adding autumn-themed food and drink to their menus.
So read on to learn about all the new restaurant chain additions to keep an eye on in August, and keep an eye out for other possible menu launches at your favorite restaurants later in the month.
McDonald’s
Nutrition:
Sausage McMuffin Collector’s Menu (per piece)
Calories: 625
Fat: 39 g (saturated fatty acids: 13 g, trans fatty acids: 0.5 g)
sodium: 1,150 mg
Carbohydrates: 49 g (fiber: 4 g, sugar: 2 g)
protein: 22g
McDonald’s wants to help its customers live out their nostalgia this summer with a new Collector’s Mealwhich is scheduled to debut on August 13. Each customer who orders the meal will receive one of six new souvenir cups with designs inspired by Happy Meal toys, merchandise, movies and McDonald’s collaborations from years past. Barbie, Hot Wheels, Beanie Babies, Hello Kitty and Shrek are some of the brands and characters featured on the cups.
The limited-time Collector’s Meal is available all day, but includes different menu items depending on when you order. Those who come during breakfast hours will receive a Sausage McMuffin with egg, hash brown and hot coffee with their collector’s cup. Those who come outside of breakfast hours will receive a portion of French fries, a soft drink and a choice of a Big Mac or 10 Chicken McNuggets.
Cracker Barrel
Nutrition:
Casserole with French toast and fried apples, house style (per piece)
Calories: 1,190
Cracker Barrel started its fall festivities early with a brand new selection of autumn food and drinksall hitting menus on August 6. This year, Cracker Barrel is ditching pumpkin spice to highlight a sometimes overlooked fall flavor on its seasonal menu: apple.
New arrivals include a Signature Fried Apple French Toast Bake with cheesecake filling and brown sugar crumbles, a Southern Apple Cobbler, a Granny Smith Apple Mimosa and a Granny Smith Apple Tea. Both drinks and the cobbler are only available until October 20, so interested customers should definitely try them beforehand.
On the savory side, Cracker Barrel also just introduced a new Hashbrown Casserole Shepherd’s Pie, which is topped with mashed potatoes and a grilled Hash Brown Casserole crust. In addition, the chain has added three new options to its Daily Dish offer— a rotating selection of entrees available only on certain days of the week. Customers can now order Cracker Barrel’s new Chicken n’ Rice on Mondays, Southern BBQ Ribs on Saturdays and Pot Roast on Sundays.
Cracker Barrel tested a major menu redesign at some of its restaurants this summer, so customers should keep an eye out for additional possible menu updates in the future.
Popeye’s
Nutrition:
Chocolate Cookie (per 1 cookie)
Calories: 310
Fat: 14 g (saturated fatty acids: 6 g)
sodium: 340mg
Carbohydrates: 44 g (fiber: 1 g, sugar: 24 g)
protein: 3g
Popeyes is on track for success with the launch of new menus in 2024. Following the recent debut of its new wings without bones and the Return of the popular Big Box offer for $6.99The popular chicken chain has expanded its menu again in August with two exciting new desserts: a chocolate chip cookie and apple caramel cheesecake.
The new dessert cookie is filled with chocolate chips and covered in a dollop of frosting, while the cheesecake features a buttery graham cracker base and a sweet and tart caramel apple filling. The treats have been available since August 5, but will only be available at participating stores for a limited time.
KFC
Nutrition:
Korean BBQ nuggets with sauce (per 1 nugget)
Calories: 45
Fat: 1.5 g (saturated fatty acids: 0 g)
sodium: 210mg
Carbohydrates: 4 g (fiber: 0 g, sugar: 2 g)
protein: 4g
KFC fans, rejoice! Four months after Introducing a new line of spicy chicken nuggetsThe chicken chain is revamping its nugget selection with three brand new flavors starting August 12th.
One of the new Saucy Nugget flavors is Chipotle Ranch, made with a “mildly spicy” blend of chipotle peppers and creamy ranch, according to a Press releaseKFC will also introduce new Mango Habanero Saucy Nuggets for fans of sweet and spicy (“swicy”) flavors, as well as new Honey Garlic Saucy Nuggets with a hint of heat.
In addition to the three brand new flavours, two already available Saucy Nugget varieties – Korean BBQ and Honey BBQ – will also remain on menus. However, the Honey Sriracha Saucy Nuggets currently available at KFC will no longer be available from August 12.
Marco’s Pizza
Nutrition: (Per large piece)
Calories: 260
Fat: 11 g (saturated fatty acids: 4.5 g, trans fatty acids: 0 g)
sodium: 370mg
Carbohydrates: 26 g (fiber: 1 g, sugar: 2 g)
protein: 9g
A massive pizza chain like Marco’s Pizza may not be the first place that comes to mind when you’re craving a Margherita-style pizza, but that could soon change with the launch of Marco’s new pizza. Pizza Margherita Magnifico.
A traditional pizza Margherita usually consists of a crust topped with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, olive oil and basil. Marco’s version – described as a “unique twist on the classic Margherita” – is served with a signature sauce, a blend of three cheeses, sliced fresh mozzarella and Roma tomatoes on a garlic-smeared crust. The limited-edition pizza is also topped with basil and sprinkled with a cheese seasoning called “Romesan.”
Prices for a large Margherita Magnifico start at $10.99 at participating Marco’s locations.
Outback Steakhouse
Nutrition:
6-ounce center-cut sirloin (per serving)
Calories: 420
Fat: 26 g (saturated fatty acids: 7 g, trans fats: 0.5 g)
sodium: 1,250 mg
Carbohydrates: 2 g (fiber: 1 g, sugar: 0 g)
protein: 46g
If you’re craving a filling steakhouse dinner that won’t break the bank, you might want to stop by your local Outback Steakhouse this month. The chain just introduced a new three-course Aussie Aussie Aussie menu The offer starts at just $14.99, making it Outback’s cheapest offer of the year.
Customers who order the meal will receive a soup or salad, an appetizer, a steakhouse side and a slice of New York style cheesecake. Entrepreneur options include a center cut sirloin, Bloomin’ Fried Chicken, a half rack of ribs and grilled chicken on the BBQ, among others. The Aussie Aussie Aussie meal is available to in-restaurant guests only and prices and participation may vary.
Denny’s
Nutritional information not available.
Fall doesn’t officially start until next month, but Denny’s doesn’t seem to have gotten the memo. The restaurant chain’s seasonal pumpkin pecan pancakes are officially returning to menus on August 21.
First introduced in 2016, the fall-themed buttermilk pancakes are made with real pumpkin puree, glazed pecans and a rich pecan pie sauce. They’ve become such a hit since their debut that they’re now one of Denny’s best-selling seasonal menu items, with the chain dishing out nearly a million of the pancakes in 2023 alone.
Customers can grab a stack of pumpkin pecan pancakes alone for a starting price of $3.99. Or they can enjoy them as part of a pumpkin pecan slam with two eggs, hash browns, and either bacon or sausage for a starting price of $10.49.
Jimmy John’s
Numerous chains, from McDonald’s to IHOP, have introduced discount meal deals this summer in response to consumer complaints about rising restaurant prices. Jimmy John’s finally joined the trend this month, launching its new $10 total meal package.
The limited-time offer allows guests to create a meal that is filling, yet extremely affordable. They can choose from an 8-inch Original sandwich, a bag of Jimmy Chips, dessert and a regular-sized soft drink – all for just $10. Customers can take advantage of the offer at participating Jimmy John’s locations nationwide while it lasts.
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