Brand Eating. Your Daily Fast Food Reading.

Jack in the Box Tests UFO-Shaped Burgers

2026-08-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

Jack in the Box is testing new UFO-shaped burgers/sandwiches called "Cosmic Jacks." Each features a flying saucer shape with sealed edges and an imprint of a Jack in the Box head.

There are three varieties being tested:

- Bacon Ultimate Cosmic Jack ($7.99; pictured) - A grilled beef patty, hickory-smoked bacon, melted American cheese, sliced onions, pickles, and Smashed Jack sauce, sealed inside a warm bun.

- Philly Chili Crunch Cosmic Jack ($9.99) - Grilled and seasoned shaved steak, melted Swiss-style cheese, grilled onions and peppers, crunchy chili, and mayo, sealed inside a warm bun.

- Loaded Breakfast Cosmic Jack ($5.99) - Fresh-cracked cage-free eggs, grilled sausage, a hash brown, shredded cheddar cheese, cheddar cheese sauce, and creamy bacon mayo, sealed inside a warm bun

The burgers are made using modified ice cream sandwich-making equipment. There are similarly pressed burgers at a few restaurants and food trucks here in Los Angeles. It's not markedly different than using a home sandwich maker grill except with a different shape. The sealed shape is meant to make the burgers a more convenient grab-and-go option.

According to a local news outlet, the test is running through September 2, 2026, while supplies last, at one location: 1220 Centinela Ave. in Inglewood, CA.

Photo via Jack in the Box.

Denny's Puts Together New Triple Play Combo Meal

2026-08-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Denny's has launched its new Triple Play Combo Meal, a mix-and-match meal that includes an entree, starter, and a drink, starting at $9.99.

The entree choices include a mix of new and regular menu items, including (I've included the prices from my local Denny's here in Los Angeles):

- New Diner QP ($9.99) - A beef patty (with 50% more beef than a quarter-pound patty according to Denny's), melted American cheese, diced onions, pickles, mustard, and ketchup on a brioche bun. It comes with a side of wavy-cut fries.

- New Diner QP + Slider ($13.99) - A Diner QP stacked with a Cheesy Bacon Ranch Slider (a beef patty, applewood-smoked bacon, ranch dressing, and American cheese on a mini brioche bun). A side of wavy-cut fries is included.

- New Double Diner QP ($17.99) - Two beef patties, melted American cheese, four slices of applewood-smoked bacon, pickles, diced onions, ketchup, and mustard on a brioche bun, served with wavy-cut fries.

- New Spicy All-American Slamwich ($13.99) - Scrambled eggs, applewood-smoked bacon, pickled jalapeños, American cheese, and hash browns on grilled sourdough bread, served with hash browns on the side.

- Everyday Value Slam ($9.99) - A choice of two pancakes, brioche French toast, or a biscuit and gravy, served with eggs and bacon or sausage.

- Super Slam ($13.99) - Two pancakes, two eggs, bacon, sausage, and hash browns.

- Tenders & Fries ($13.99)

- 6-oz Sirloin Steak ($17.99) - A 6-oz seasoned sirloin steak served with two sides and dinner bread.

- 6-oz Sirloin Steak & Eggs ($17.99) - A 6-oz seasoned sirloin steak served with two eggs, hash browns, and toast.

A new Crispy Chicken Sandwich, a new Pretzel Bagel Breakfast Sandwich, and Buffalo Chicken Sandwich are also available as part of the combo at select locations for a limited time.

The Crispy Chicken Sandwich features a crispy-fried chicken breast, pickles, and a choice of sauce, on a brioche bun. A side of matchstick fries is included.

The Pretzel Bagel Breakfast Sandwich features scrambled eggs, cheese, a choice of applewood-smoked bacon or a pork sausage patty on a pretzel bagel, served with a side of hash browns.

The Buffalo Chicken Sandwich features a crispy-fried chicken breast tossed in Buffalo sauce, served with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and ranch on a brioche bun. A side of matchstick fries is included.

Starter choices include Maple Stuffed Donut Holes or Chips & Salsa

For drinks, the choices include a soft drink, iced tea, lemonade, or Signature Diner Blend Coffee.

In addition to the new combo meal deals, Denny's has also brought back Pumpkin Pecan Pancakes for fall 2026. The buttermilk pancakes are made with pumpkin pie filling and glazed pecans and are topped with a pecan pie sauce.

Photo via Denny's.

McDonald's Introduces New Caramel Apple Pie Coffees

2026-08-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

McDonald's prepares for fall 2026 by launching new Caramel Apple Pie Coffees.

Available now for a limited time at participating locations nationwide, the Caramel Apple beverage lineup includes:

- Caramel Apple Pie Frappe (pictured) - Caramel Coffee Frappe Base blended with ice and caramel apple pie-flavored syrup, and topped with salted caramel-flavored whipped cream and an apple pie crumble topping.

- Caramel Apple Pie Latte (hot or iced) - Espresso, whole milk, and caramel apple pie-flavored syrup, topped with salted caramel-flavored whipped cream and an apple pie crumble topping.

- Caramel Apple Iced Coffee - Coffee mixed with light cream and caramel apple pie-flavored syrup, served over ice and finished with salted caramel-flavored whipped cream and an apple pie crumble topping.

Prices vary by location, but a local McDonald's here in Los Angeles charges $4.29 for a small Caramel Apple Pie Frappe, $3.79 for a small Caramel Apple Pie Latte, $3.89 for a small Iced Caramel Pie Latte, and $4.19 for a medium Caramel Apple Pie Iced Coffee.

Photo via McDonald's.

Nutritional Info - McDonald's Caramel Apple Pie Frappe (Small)
Calories - 530
Fat - 19g (Saturated Fat - 12g)
Sodium - 220mg
Carbs - 81g (Sugar - 60g)
Protein - 7g

Nutritional Info - McDonald's Caramel Apple Pie Latte (Small)
Calories - 340
Fat - 9g (Saturated Fat - 7g)
Sodium - 270mg
Carbs - 49g (Sugar - 36g)
Protein - 9g

Nutritional Info - McDonald's Caramel Apple Pie Iced Latte (Small)
Calories - 280
Fat - 11g (Saturated Fat - 6g)
Sodium - 220mg
Carbs - 38g (Sugar - 28g)
Protein - 6g

Nutritional Info - McDonald's Caramel Apple Pie Iced Coffee (Medium)
Calories - 290
Fat - 13g (Saturated Fat - 7g)
Sodium - 240mg
Carbs - 42g (Sugar - 28g)
Protein - 3g

Little Caesars Offers Two 1-Topping Pizzas for $4.99 Each

2026-08-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

Little Caesars has brought back its Pizza!Pizza! deal as a limited-time, online exclusive.

Available now for a limited time at participating locations nationwide, the deal lets you get two large round, regular-crust, 1-topping pizzas for $4.99 each when ordering online through the Little Caesars website or mobile app using the code "PIZZAPIZZA".

Unlike their one-time $5 Hot-N-Ready deal, the Pizza!Pizza! deal lets you choose the topping for your pizza.

According to the fine print, the deal costs more in Alaska, Hawaii, California, and many areas in New York, Oregon, and Washington state. It costs $5.99 here in Los Angeles.

Photo via Little Caesars.

Krispy Kreme Serves Up New Pokémon Donuts

2026-08-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

As part of Pokémon's 30th anniversary celebration, Krispy Kreme has teamed up with The Pokémon Company to launch its new Pokémon Donut Collection, which includes five Pokémon-inspired donuts and a Poké Ball Donut:

- Bulbasaur Donut - An Original Glazed Donut dipped in vanilla-flavored icing and topped with frosting and a Bulbasaur piece.

- Charmander Donut - A shell donut with chocolate and toasted marshmallow-flavored filling, dipped in orange colored caramel icing and sparks of red and gold sugar, topped with a Charmander piece.

- Squirtle Donut - An Original Glazed Donut piped with cotton candy-flavored buttercreme, dipped in sanding sugar and nonpareils, and topped with a surfing Squirtle piece.

- Pikachu Donut - A shell donut filled with lemon-flavored Kreme dipped in vanilla icing, decorated with an icing drizzle, yellow nonpareils, and a Pikachu piece.

- Jigglypuff Donut - An Original Glazed Donut piped with strawberry-flavored buttercreme, sprinkled with strawberry-flavored cookie crumbs, and topped with a Jigglypuff piece.

- Poké Ball Donut - An Original Glazed Donut dipped in vanilla-flavored icing and red sprinkles, piped with chocolate icing to resemble a Poké Ball.

That's not all. Krispy Kreme is also offering limited-edition Pokémon cups in five exclusive designs. Each comes filled with 10 Original Gold Dots (donut holes).

On August 22, 2026, anyone who shows up in Pokémon attire can get a free Original Glazed donut at participating locations.

Krispy Kreme's Pokémon can be purchased individually or in a Pokémon Dozen with limited-edition packaging featuring the five Pokémon that inspired the donuts. The limited-time donuts can also be found at select grocery retailers in a 6-pack box that includes a Charmander Donut, a Pikachu Donut, a Jigglypuff Donut, and a Poké Ball Donut, and two Original Glazed Donuts

The donuts are available now for a limited time at participating Krispy Kreme shops across the US.

Photo via Krispy Kreme.

McDonald's Pours New Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer

2026-08-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

McDonald's expands its line of crafted sodas and Refreshers by adding its first energy drink: Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer.

The new drink features original Red Bull energy drink (or Red Bull Zero) mixed with blue raspberry syrup and freeze-dried dragon fruit. The chain is also selling 8.4-oz cans of Red Bull at participating locations.

Prices vary, but a local McDonald's in Los Angeles charges $4.99.

Photo via McDonald's.

Hershey's Reveals 2026 Halloween Lineup

2026-08-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hershey's has revealed its 2026 Halloween lineup, which is now rolling out to stores across the country.

This year's lineup includes a variety of candy assortments and shapes, as well as a selection of salty snacks. It includes:

- Reese's Pumpkins - Reese's classic chocolate and peanut butter pairing in a pumpkin shape for Halloween. New this year and available exclusively on Amazon is the Reese's Pumpkin Bowl, which features 110 snack-size treats in a festive, reusable pumpkin container.

- Kit Kat Count & Witch (pictured)- The Count shape is joined by the Witch this year in a chocolate-covered wafer bar that alternates the two shapes. These are available in new instant-consumable packs as well as regular-size bars, king-size bars, and a 6-pack.

- Hershey's Cookies 'N' Creme Fangs Snack Size - Last seen in 2024, the fang-shaped version of Hershey's Cookies 'N' Creme flavor is back this year.

- Sweets Assortment Stand-Up Bag - A variety-packed assortment of Sour Strips, Jolly Rancher Gummies Trickies Minis, Jolly Rancher Gummies Minis, and Strawberry-flavored Twizzlers Twists.

- Jolly Rancher Gummies Trickies Minis Snack Size - They're called "Trickies" because the bite-sized chewy candies come in colors that don't match their flavors. They're available in seasonal Halloween shapes and flavors including Green Apple, Blue Raspberry, Cherry, Grape, and Watermelon.

- Jolly Rancher Gummies Minis Snack Size - Fruit-shaped gummies in several flavors.

- Jolly Rancher Gummies Assortment - A mix of snack-size sour and sweet gummies, including Jolly Rancher Sour Gummies Minis, Jolly Rancher Gummies Trickies Minis, Jolly Rancher Gummies Minis, and Jolly Rancher Sour Gummies Minis Awesome Reds.

- Hershey Halloween All-Stars - A boxed assortment of 18 full-size, limited-edition Halloween shapes and flavors, including Reese's Pumpkins, Kit Kat Count & Witch, Kit Kat Ghost Toast, and Jolly Rancher Gummies Trickies.

- Pirate's Booty Trick-or-Treat - Aged white cheddar puffs in individually-portioned snack packs.

- Pirate's Booty Boos & Bites - Snack-sized packs filled with ghost and monster shapes of the brand's signature aged white cheddar puffs.

- Reese's Sweet & Salty - Snack-size packs of Reese's Dipped Animal Crackers, Reese's Dipped Pretzels and Reese's Filled Pretzels.

- SkinnyPop Halloween Packs - Individual packs of SkinnyPop popcorn in Halloween-themed packaging for seasonal snacking and sharing.

- LesserEvil Pumpkin Spice Popcorn - A seasonal variety featuring popcorn with a warm cinnamon-and-spice fall flavor.

- LesserEvil Spooky Popcorn - Better-for-you salted popcorn in Halloween-themed packs.

- LesserEvil Spooky Spaceballs - Cheese corn puffs in Halloween-themed packaging.

Photo via Hershey's.