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Menu Tracker: New Items from McDonald’s, Starbucks, and KFC

Menu Tracker: New Items from McDonald’s, Starbucks, and KFC

From Bret Thorn at Nation’s Restaurant News on February 7, 2025

Dark Chocolate Delight Bowl
A cacao blend base topped with banana, strawberries, coconut shavings, and chocolate chips.
Starting at: $10.99

Chocolate Crush Smoothie
A cacao blend base blended with bananas, strawberries, almond butter, and almond milk.
Starting at: $8.49

Availability: Through February

Visit the link to the online article for more details.

On the Go? So is a Modesto Health Food Cafe. Where You Can Find its First-Ever Trailer

From Dominique Williams at The Modesto Bee on February 5, 2025

A superfoods cafe with coast-to-coast locations in 18 states has gone mobile with the opening of its first food trailer, choosing Modesto as the introductory location.

Vitality Bowls franchisee Silvana Robin opened her brick-and-mortar location at 3401 Oakdale Road in 2023. She presented the idea of a food trailer to the company around a year ago and was met with eager agreement.

“I guess I just want more,” Robin said. “I figured a food trailer with an extension of my store would be ideal.”

La Placita Food Truck Park, at 302 N. Ninth St., will be the trailer’s home a few days of the business week, with hours likely from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., she said. The trailer will be at the food truck park beginning next week.

Visit www.instagram.com/vitalitybowlsmodesto to stay updated on dates and times of operation.

The menu will be a simplified version of what’s offered in-store, highlighting the best-selling items. Vitality Bowls sells acai bowls, smoothies, salads, wraps and more.

Vitality Bowls has 126 cafes open or in development.

“The launch of this food truck under Silvana’s leadership represents an exciting step forward in our mission to make healthy eating more accessible,” its co-founder and president, Tara Gilad, said in a statement. “Complementing Silvana’s existing location, this model not only enhances our presence in Modesto but also paves the way for other franchisees to reach even more people in and around their communities.”

Robin said she plans to connect with local schools for partnerships with fundraisers and sports events.

Businesses and event planners can also request catering via the trailer. For more information, call 209-341-9250 or email modesto@vitalitybowls.com.ey accumulate.

Menu Tracker: New items from Taco Bell, Taco John’s, and Tim Hortons

From Bret Thorn at nrn.com on January 17, 2025:

Clockwise from top left: menu items from Taco Bell, Taco John's, Tim Hortons, and Noodles & Company

Photos courtesy of the restaurant companies

During the pandemic, a number of chains took menu items that didn’t travel well, like burgers and tacos, and put them on something known for being delivered intact: Pizza. Hence a brief period of pizza topped with the fixin’s of those other popular menu items.

Well, as you know, the delivery trend that grew when dining rooms were closed continues to be a popular option, and the trend of coaxing pizza to taste like hard-to-deliver items continues, but this time a popular option is jalapeño poppers. &Pizza did that last week, and this week we’re seeing it at Your Pie

Pizza with Indian toppings is another little trend, hence the Tikka Masala Pizza now available at Via 313.

In other pizza news, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, the little chain based in New Haven, Conn., known for its clam pies, is offering a pizza with a topping that’s popular in Rome: Potatoes.

Round Table Pizza now has a pie topped with both pepperoni and chicken (and bacon), while California Pizza Kitchen now offers burritos on a secret menu in partnership with virtual brand Man Vs. Pies (speaking trends that emerged during the pandemic), and Mountain Mike’s Pizza has a couple of new salads.

Taco Bell has cheesy new miniature burritos and Taco John’s has a new quesadilla-taco hybrid.

Taco Cabana, for its part, has a new salad.

Farm Burger has two new salads

The Crack Shack has some new seasonal items, along with a breakfast sandwich that’s a permanent addition, and there are also new permanent items at Cotton Patch Cafe, Goodcents, Tropical Smoothie Café, Veggie Grill by Next Level, The Human Bean, Hurricane Grill & Wings, and, notably, Snooze A.M. Eatery, which has rolled out protein pancakes.

Noodles & Company is bringing back its Steak Stroganoff, which was a big hit last year, and Beard Papa’s has essentially renamed some of its cream puffs as a cross-promotion with manga series Mashle: Magic and Muscles.

There are new sweet drinks from Dutch Bros and not-so-sweet drinks from Fiiz Drinks.

Island Fin Poke has coho salmon now, permanently, and Freebirds World Burrito has new seasoned ground beef for a limited time.

Vegan chain Cinnaholic has new pastries, and other vegan chains Next Level Burger and Veggie Grill by Next Level have a burger and shake and a bunch of smoothies, respectively.

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches is not a vegan chain, but it has a vegan sandwich for January.

Juice it Up! has new smoothies and a build-your-own waffle, Oakberry has oatmeal, and Tender Greens has a new meal inspired by the Blue Zone diet.

Miguel’s Jr. has pozole, as it generally does in January,

Iron Hill has some new items just available through early February, including a tomato basil soup, which Flying Biscuit Café has too.

Protein Bar & Kitchen has some high-protein items, just as you’d expect,

Zaxby’s has a chicken sandwich inspired by the Philly Cheesesteak, Starbird has a chicken Park, and Schlotzsky’s has a tortilla soup.

Vicious Biscuit has a new omelet, and Vitality Bowls has its own version of a hangover cure. WOB Bar & Kitchen, aka World of Beer, has new wings, Wings and Rings has several items with Sam Adams beer cheese, Tim Hortons has indulgent drinks and doughnuts, and Velvet Taco’s Weekly Taco Feature is inspired by jambalaya.enticing blend of super greens, grass-fed sous-vide steak, grains, radishes and more wrapped in a tomato basil tortilla—each item aligns with the brand’s mission help gmentary açaí bowl on their birthday and earn a $10 reward for every 150 Vitality Points they accumulate.

Vitality Bowls Builds Momentum in 2024

From QSR at qsrmagazine.com on January 6, 2025:

Vitality Bowls, the nation’s leading superfood café concept specializing in nutrient-packed açaí bowls, smoothies, wraps, salads, grain bowls, and more, is building off of the momentum and innovation it generated in 2024 to hit the ground running in the new year.

The Northern California-based company marked more than one decade of providing allergy-friendly, health-focused menu items to communities across the country earlier this year when it celebrated its 13th year in business. This milestone was complemented by a series of significant accomplishments that reinforce Vitality Bowls’ commitment to health, innovation, and continued expansion.

“2024 was a transformative year for Vitality Bowls,” said Tara Gilad, president and co-founder of Vitality Bowls. “We experienced exciting growth with several new location openings in key markets such as Arizona, New Jersey, Texas, and Georgia. We also launched innovative programs around our new cold-pressed juices and virtual brand, Harvest Kitchen, pushing the boundaries of what it means to offer clean, nutritious food that tastes good too. Our continued expansion reflects our mission to make healthy eating accessible to all, and we’re eager to carry this momentum into 2025 as we aim to grow even further and connect with more communities nationwide.”

In the past year, Vitality Bowls opened eight new locations, including its first-ever café in the state of New Jersey and its fourth location in the state of Arizona. Additionally, the brand expanded its offerings with the introduction of cold-pressed bottled juices, shots and smoothies across the Texas market, and its virtual restaurant brand, Harvest Kitchen, which introduced savory, protein-packed bowls, wraps, and other menu items to complement its impressive lineup of superfood dishes. In 2024, Vitality Bowls sold over 1.2 million açai bowls and continued its advocacy for food allergy education, partnering for the fifth year with the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Connection Team (FAACT). In addition, Vitality Bowls earned continued recognition by securing a spot on the Franchise Times Top 400 for the sixth consecutive year, cementing its status as a leader in the restaurant and franchise sectors.

With a diverse and growing menu of nutrient-dense superfoods, Vitality Bowls remains a go-to destination for health-conscious individuals. Whether it’s the vibrant acai bowl – the Superfood Bowl – or the satisfying Chimichurri Steak Wrap, Vitality Bowls continues to offer customizable, made-to-order meals designed to support wellness without sacrificing convenience. As the brand continues to evolve, it remains unwavering in its mission to bring accessible, high-quality food to all. nibs and goji berries—to hearty crowd favorites like the Chimichurri Steak Wrap—an enticing blend of super greens, grass-fed sous-vide steak, grains, radishes and more wrapped in a tomato basil tortilla—each item aligns with the brand’s mission help gmentary açaí bowl on their birthday and earn a $10 reward for every 150 Vitality Points they accumulate.

Veterans Day Restaurant Deals 2024: More Than 80 discounts, Including Free Meals

From Anna Quintana at Distractify.com on November 10, 2024:

Most of your favorite restaurants are on this list!

burger and fries
Source: Unsplash

For over 100 years, Americans have honored the military veterans of the United States Armed Forces on Veterans Day.

The very first Veterans Day (formerly known as Armistice Day) took place on November 11, 1919, on the one-year anniversary of the end of WWI.

Today, the federal holiday continues to be a day to honor the men and women who served and continue to serve in the U.S. military.

Many restaurants are offering free meals to veterans on Veterans as a small token of their appreciation. Here is the complete list.

crackel barrel free meal veterans
Source: Cracker Barrel

Restaurants giving out free breakfast to veterans on Veterans Day:

To kick off your day with some breakfast freebies, visit these restaurants:

  • Starbucks (free tall 12-ounce brewed coffee)
  • Another Broken Egg Cafe
  • Bakers Square
  • Black Rifle Coffee
  • Broken Yolk Cafe
  • Casey’s (free coffee)
  • Cracker Barrel (free Sunrise Pancake Special)
  • Dunkin (free donut)
  • Huddle House
  • IHOP (free Red, White, and Blueberry Pancake Combo)
  • Krystal (free breakfast sandwich)
  • Kum & Go (free coffee)
  • Maverick (free coffee)
  • Scooter’s Cafe
  • Tim Horton’s
  • Village Inn
  • Vitality Bowls (free smoothie)
  • Whataburger (free hot or iced coffee)
  • Wendy’s

Restaurants giving out free lunch and dinner to veterans on Veterans Day:

Need a burger or American fast food fix on Veterans Day? These restaurants have got you covered.

  • Applebee’s
  • Buffalo Wild Wings
  • Bar Louie
  • Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
  • Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
  • BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse (free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie)
  • California Pizza Kitchen
  • Chilis
  • Cicis Pizza
  • Dave and Buster’s
chilis free meal veterans
Source: Brinker International
  • Eddie Merlot’s
  • Famous Dave’s
  • Farmer Boys
  • Fazoli’s
  • Firehouse Subs
  • Friendly’s
  • Golden Corral (free “thank you” buffet from 4 p.m. to closing)
  • Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
  • Happy Joe’s
  • Hooters
  • Hurricane Grill & Wings
  • Johnny Rockets
  • Lazy Dog Restaurants
  • Lion’s Choice
  • Logan’s Roadhouse
  • Main Event
  • MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes
  • Mr Gatti’s Pizza
  • Native Grill & Wings
  • On The Border
  • Outback Steakhouse (free Bloomin’ Onion)
  • Perkins American Food Co.
  • Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCMs3QgPTwY/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=14&wp=708&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.distractify.com&rp=%2Fp%2Fwhat-restaurants-give-free-meals-to-veterans-on-veterans-day#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A61600.39999999851%2C%22ls%22%3A61253.59999999404%2C%22le%22%3A61590.19999999553%7D

  • Peter Piper Pizza
  • Pilot
  • Polly’s Pies
  • Red Lobster
  • Sheetz
  • Sizzler (free lunch)
  • Smokey Bones
  • Sullivan’s Steakhouse
  • Taco John’s
  • Taziki
  • Texas Roadhouse
  • The Brass Tap
  • The Greene Turtle
  • Twin Peaks
  • Wings and Rings (free lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
  • Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux

Just don’t forget to bring your valid military ID!

Other freebies on Veterans Day:

After enjoying a complimentary meal there are a few other things veterans can enjoy on Veterans Day that are also completely free.

Admission is free to all National Park sites on November 11. SeaWorld parks are also free to active duty military and veterans on Veteran’s Day as well as many local zoos and attractions near you. exclusive deals, including Buy One Get One FREE on all açaí bowls on November 8, and Buy One Get One 50% off on any menu item on November 9 and November 10.

“Vitality Bowls’ unwavering commitment to nutritious, freshly prepared meals made with the highest quality of superfoods – free from unnecessary fillers and preservatives – aims to help community residents feel their best,” said, Winchell, a local business owner with 8+ years of customer service experience. “From fan-favorite açai bowls to nourishing grain bowls and wraps, the Vitality Bowls menu offers something for everyone, providing a perfect destination for community members to indulge in delicious food that makes them feel good too. I’m thrilled to bring this experience to everyone in Heath.”

Vitality Bowl’s menu showcases superfoods, delivering not just meals but a commitment to nutritional value. From signature bowls like the Superfood Bowl—made with acai, pitaya, almond milk, organic granola, cacao nibs and goji berries—to hearty crowd favorites like the Chimichurri Steak Wrap—an enticing blend of super greens, grass-fed sous-vide steak, grains, radishes and more wrapped in a tomato basil tortilla—each item aligns with the brand’s mission help gmentary açaí bowl on their birthday and earn a $10 reward for every 150 Vitality Points they accumulate.

These Restaurants Give Free Meals to Veterans on Veterans Day

From Anna Quintana at Distractify.com on November 10, 2024:

Most of your favorite restaurants are on this list!

burger and fries
Source: Unsplash

For over 100 years, Americans have honored the military veterans of the United States Armed Forces on Veterans Day.

The very first Veterans Day (formerly known as Armistice Day) took place on November 11, 1919, on the one-year anniversary of the end of WWI.

Today, the federal holiday continues to be a day to honor the men and women who served and continue to serve in the U.S. military.

Many restaurants are offering free meals to veterans on Veterans as a small token of their appreciation. Here is the complete list.

crackel barrel free meal veterans
Source: Cracker Barrel

Restaurants giving out free breakfast to veterans on Veterans Day:

To kick off your day with some breakfast freebies, visit these restaurants:

  • Starbucks (free tall 12-ounce brewed coffee)
  • Another Broken Egg Cafe
  • Bakers Square
  • Black Rifle Coffee
  • Broken Yolk Cafe
  • Casey’s (free coffee)
  • Cracker Barrel (free Sunrise Pancake Special)
  • Dunkin (free donut)
  • Huddle House
  • IHOP (free Red, White, and Blueberry Pancake Combo)
  • Krystal (free breakfast sandwich)
  • Kum & Go (free coffee)
  • Maverick (free coffee)
  • Scooter’s Cafe
  • Tim Horton’s
  • Village Inn
  • Vitality Bowls (free smoothie)
  • Whataburger (free hot or iced coffee)
  • Wendy’s

Restaurants giving out free lunch and dinner to veterans on Veterans Day:

Need a burger or American fast food fix on Veterans Day? These restaurants have got you covered.

  • Applebee’s
  • Buffalo Wild Wings
  • Bar Louie
  • Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
  • Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
  • BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse (free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie)
  • California Pizza Kitchen
  • Chilis
  • Cicis Pizza
  • Dave and Buster’s
chilis free meal veterans
Source: Brinker International
  • Eddie Merlot’s
  • Famous Dave’s
  • Farmer Boys
  • Fazoli’s
  • Firehouse Subs
  • Friendly’s
  • Golden Corral (free “thank you” buffet from 4 p.m. to closing)
  • Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
  • Happy Joe’s
  • Hooters
  • Hurricane Grill & Wings
  • Johnny Rockets
  • Lazy Dog Restaurants
  • Lion’s Choice
  • Logan’s Roadhouse
  • Main Event
  • MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes
  • Mr Gatti’s Pizza
  • Native Grill & Wings
  • On The Border
  • Outback Steakhouse (free Bloomin’ Onion)
  • Perkins American Food Co.
  • Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCMs3QgPTwY/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=14&wp=708&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.distractify.com&rp=%2Fp%2Fwhat-restaurants-give-free-meals-to-veterans-on-veterans-day#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A61600.39999999851%2C%22ls%22%3A61253.59999999404%2C%22le%22%3A61590.19999999553%7D

  • Peter Piper Pizza
  • Pilot
  • Polly’s Pies
  • Red Lobster
  • Sheetz
  • Sizzler (free lunch)
  • Smokey Bones
  • Sullivan’s Steakhouse
  • Taco John’s
  • Taziki
  • Texas Roadhouse
  • The Brass Tap
  • The Greene Turtle
  • Twin Peaks
  • Wings and Rings (free lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
  • Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux

Just don’t forget to bring your valid military ID!

Other freebies on Veterans Day:

After enjoying a complimentary meal there are a few other things veterans can enjoy on Veterans Day that are also completely free.

Admission is free to all National Park sites on November 11. SeaWorld parks are also free to active duty military and veterans on Veteran’s Day as well as many local zoos and attractions near you. exclusive deals, including Buy One Get One FREE on all açaí bowls on November 8, and Buy One Get One 50% off on any menu item on November 9 and November 10.

“Vitality Bowls’ unwavering commitment to nutritious, freshly prepared meals made with the highest quality of superfoods – free from unnecessary fillers and preservatives – aims to help community residents feel their best,” said, Winchell, a local business owner with 8+ years of customer service experience. “From fan-favorite açai bowls to nourishing grain bowls and wraps, the Vitality Bowls menu offers something for everyone, providing a perfect destination for community members to indulge in delicious food that makes them feel good too. I’m thrilled to bring this experience to everyone in Heath.”

Vitality Bowl’s menu showcases superfoods, delivering not just meals but a commitment to nutritional value. From signature bowls like the Superfood Bowl—made with acai, pitaya, almond milk, organic granola, cacao nibs and goji berries—to hearty crowd favorites like the Chimichurri Steak Wrap—an enticing blend of super greens, grass-fed sous-vide steak, grains, radishes and more wrapped in a tomato basil tortilla—each item aligns with the brand’s mission help gmentary açaí bowl on their birthday and earn a $10 reward for every 150 Vitality Points they accumulate.