PopSugar

Burger King Launches Burger and Breakfast "Shots"

YumSugar — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 05:30:21 -0800

Burger King is continuing its strategy of adding petite-sized, lower-cost items to its menu at a time when food prices have soared but consumers are strapped for cash.

The fast food chain announced today that it will roll out new burger and breakfast "shots," or burgers in miniature sizes.

The sliders will come in a two-pack ($1.39) and a six-pack ($4.09) and will consist of a flame-broiled patty, ketchup, mustard, and two pickle slices, sandwiched between a plain bun. The fast food chain is also revving up its breakfast menu with BK Breakfast Shots. The breakfast sandwiches, which are available in a two-pack ($1.49) or a four-pack ($2.89) during the store's breakfast hours, contain egg, a "smoky cheese sauce," and a choice of ham, bacon, or a sausage patty.

This is probably another attempt by Burger King to offer smaller portions at higher prices, but I'm a sucker for all things mini, so I'm bound to buckle and buy some of the breakfast shots. What do you think of this addition to the menu?

Source

Arby's Wants You to Try Out Its New Roastburger

YumSugar — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:00:08 -0800

Yet another restaurant chain has jumped on the freebie bandwagon - not that we're complaining. Arby's, our favorite fast food chain of last year, is letting you try its new Roastburgers for free. Bring in this coupon through March 9 and get a free Roastburger with the purchase of any drink.

The new burger comes in three flavors: The All-American is sliced, oven roasted beef with all the trimmings and a "tantalizing special sauce" on a toasted roll; the Bacon & Bleu Roast Burger has pepper bacon and blue cheese spread; and the Bacon Cheddar is made with pepper bacon and a slice of cheddar.

I'm not sure the Roastburger, with its roast beef slices, qualifies as an actual burger by my standards. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to landing a free item to go with my favorite side: an order of Arby's curly fries. What about you? Will you be trying out the new Arby's burger?

Source

Taste Test: BK Burger Shots

YumSugar — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:00:11 -0700

Last month, Burger King revealed that sliders would be the newest addition to the chain's regular menu. When I sampled the fast-food company's limited-edition Angry Whopper, I tried the pint-sized versions of the chain's flame-broiled burger as well. To see what I thought of them, read more.

BK Burger Shots, as the sliders are called, are yet another attempt by Burger King to be budget friendly at a time when fast-food joints have had to adjust prices and consumers have been shorter on cash. If you're looking for a snack-sized serving, a pair of the miniature burgers will set you back only $1.39. For a larger serving, a six-pack costs $4.09. Not a bad price, considering the size of the meal.

Unfortunately, what virtues the BK Shots earn in price get canceled out when it comes to flavor. While it is flame-broiled like the other burgers on the menu, the BK shots don't come with the Whopper's ratio of condiments (ketchup, but no mayo), and the toasted sesame seed bun has been replaced by a plain bun that isn't firm enough in the hands and sticks to the roof of the mouth. It is a slider at its worst: squishy, mushy, and slippery, without any of the melt-in-your-mouth virtues of its classic counterpart, the White Castle slider.

In the future, I'll pass on this - I'd rather cut a Whopper into six pieces instead. Have you tried the BK Burger Shots? What did you think of them?

View 8 Photos ›

Taste Test: Burger King's Angry Whopper

YumSugar — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:00:41 -0800

Most of us hoped to start 2009 on a positive note, but Burger King was seemingly in a furious state of mind: At the beginning of January, the fast food chain introduced the Angry Whopper to its US menus. News of the limited-edition burger, purportedly only available through the end of March, took the Internet by storm. So after hearing the incessant hype surrounding it, I decided to put the burger to the test. To find out how it tastes and see additional photos, read more.

For the suggested retail price of $3.69, the Angry Whopper features everything that's on the joint's original Whopper (flame-broiled patty, lettuce, tomatoes, sesame bun) - as well as "sizzling angry onions," jalapenos, a slice of pepper-jack cheese, bacon, and "angry sauce." Others have proclaimed that the Angry Whopper isn't spicy enough, and while I have to agree that it doesn't really live up to its notorious moniker, it's pretty darn delicious.

The jalapenos provide the only real spice kick, while the "angry sauce" and jack give a nice element of creaminess. Add sizzling onions (really glorified onion rings) for crunch, a few slices of bacon (who can say no to bacon?), and you've got a winning burger - one that I would choose any day over its original counterpart. I had grand lunch plans ahead of me, so I only meant to take a bite or two of the burger, but I admittedly had at least a third of it.

Continuing its strategy of controversial food marketing, Burger King also launched a humorous website in conjunction with the release of the Angry Whopper. It features - you guessed it - an angry Whopper that fans can employ to rebuke annoying friends. The talking burger isn't the only thing that's salty: so is the Angry Whopper itself, with 880 calories and a whopping (pardon the pun) 1670 milligrams of sodium. Does the Angry Whopper sound like something that you would try? If you've tasted it, what did you think?

View 10 Photos ›

Burger King Gets a Makeover

YumSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:15:47 -0700

While one fast food chain is temporarily closing stores, another has begun remodeling them. Hoping a facelift will invigorate sales, Burger King announced a major effort to redesign its 12,000 worldwide locations.

Burger King is betting that rotating red flame chandeliers, LCD menus, and corrugated metal and brick walls will encourage customers to sit down and enjoy a meal rather than simply passing through.According to Chairman and CEO John Chidsey, who describes the overhaul as "contemporary, edgy, futuristic . . . like an upscale restaurant," the 60 outlets that have already been revamped have generated 12 to 15 percent more sales.

The "20/20" design transformation, as it's called, is a huge risk for Burger King. The overhaul will take several years to complete worldwide, and will cost franchisees a whopping $300,000 to $600,000 per restaurant. Check out new store pictures. Could a redesign coax you into buying more BK?

Taste Test: McDonald's Angus Third Pounders

YumSugar — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:30:06 -0700

Back in April, McDonald's announced plans to add a premium Angus burger to its fast-food lineup. The burger, priced at $3.99, would compete with other higher-end fast-food burgers such as Carl's Jr.'s Six Dollar Burger and Burger King's XT burger, and was scheduled to roll out nationwide by August. Well, July's barely begun, but yesterday the chain's Angus Third Pounders hit menus across the country.

The burgers, which weigh at least a third of a pound, or 5.33 ounces, before they're cooked, come in a trio of styles, all on a sesame seed bun: Deluxe, with tomato, lettuce, mustard, mayonnaise, red onions, dill pickles, and American cheese; Bacon & Cheese, with ketchup, mustard, red onions, dill pickles, American cheese, and three slices of bacon; and Mushroom & Swiss, with mayonnaise, sautéed mushrooms, and swiss cheese. See more pictures - and the results of our office taste test - when you keep reading

From Bad to Worse: The Unhealthiest Fast Food Items

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:00:04 -0700

In case you're wondering what not to eat at the major fast food chains, Next Generation Food has made it easy for you with this handy new chart. It's a colorful reminder of what we already know: fast food is not very good for you. However, the figures are still unsettling.

The chart illustrates the bad (Dunkin' Donuts) to the worse (Pizza Hut) and stacks them up against each other in fat, sodium, cholesterol, and calorie content. Here's a small sampling of what you'll see.

An Angry Triple Whopper from Burger King has a whopping 90 grams of fat.
A Mocha Frappuccino from Starbucks contains 500 calories.
A Super Sonic Cheeseburger has 175 mg of cholesterol
A 14-inch Supreme Stuffed Crust Pizza from Pizza Hut has 4,500 mg of sodium

If you can't avoid eating fast food, try these healthier options instead.

McDonald's Franchisees Confirm Plans For New Burger Rollout

YumSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:00:38 -0700

Burger aficionados: If you couldn't exactly get behind the Mac Snap Wrap, then perhaps you'll be interested in the newest patty being developed for the Golden Arches. According to Crain's Chicago Business, the nation's most popular fast food chain is busy planning the creation of its first new burger in eight years, a one-third-pound beef burger.

The McDonald's Angus Burger, as it's called, will be priced at $3.99, will contain a better grade of beef, and will roll out by August, according to franchisees and internal memos. The oversize burger is the fast food chain's answer to bigger, higher-end burgers like Carl's Jr.'s Six Dollar Burger, which has seen great success since its launch in 2001, and Burger King's XT Burger, released in 2004. McDonald's, which hasn't come out with a hit burger since the success of its Quarter Pounder in 1973, declined to comment.

With its focus on specialty coffee drinks and quality burgers, McDonald's seems to be moving in the direction of premium products. Do you think this is a smart strategy on the company's part, or will the economic recession put a damper on sales? Does the Angus burger appeal to you?

Source

While Casual Chains Drop Prices, Fast Food Trades Up

YumSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:00:37 -0700

Regardless of its location, price point, or popularity, no restaurant has remained untouched by the deteriorating economy. While many high-end restaurants have made adjustments, some of the most drastic changes taking place are happening between fast and casual food chains.

Casual restaurant chains such as Applebee's, Chili's, and TGI Friday's have desperately tried to keep sales steady with bargain deals. Applebee's started the trend by appealing to cash-strapped diners with a limited-time offer for a large appetizer with two entrees for just $20. Chili's joined in soon after with a "ten under $7" value menu. Earlier this week, TGI Friday's slashed the prices of all sandwiches and salads to a mere $5.Ironically enough, fast food chains have focused on premium items. Late last year, Burger King aimed to go higher-end with a new line of ribs, and this August, McDonald's is coming out with a one-third-pound Angus beef burger that's priced at $3.99. The number one fast food chain has also been selling specialty coffee drinks at its McCafé stores.

As both segments expand their food offerings, the casual chain and fast food sectors have become somewhat redundant. Have you frequented more fast food or casual chains lately? Which do you think has a better business model?

Source

Burger King to Add Pork Ribs to Menu

YumSugar — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:00:20 -0700

Since all things pig - from chicharrones to bacon everything to whole hog dinners - are the rage right now, it only makes sense that the fast food industry wants a piece of the pork pie. At this week's World Pork Expo, Burger King announced that it's testing out "Fire-Grilled Ribs" in four different markets and hopes to expand by next year.The ribs are now available in Las Vegas, NV, Indianapolis, IN, Greensboro, NC, and Orlando, FL. The St. Louis-style ribs will be portioned into 2-inch pieces, offered in three-, six-, or eight-piece servings, and served with a dipping sauce. The fast food company has spent more than a year developing this new product with the National Pork Board. According to the board's president Steve Weaver, Burger King's goal is to offer the product in nearly half of its US restaurants in 2010.

Source