Food & Beverage

LTOs prove summer has staying power

Summer may be nearly over, but several fast casuals are hanging on with LTOs inspired by the season's freshest produce and hottest flavors.

Modern Market Eatery, based in Denver, has debuted its end-of-summer Chef's Picks and meal kits, which feature sweet corn, fresh strawberries and summer squash and will stay on the menu until early fall.

August 19, 2020

Pumpkin season may be nearly upon on, but several fast casuals are still hanging on to summer by featuring LTOs inspired by the season's freshest produce and hottest flavors. Check out some of the latest menu offerings from around the industry.

Yogurtland

Irvine-based Yogurtland is hoping its Dairy-Free Key Lime Pie can help cool off customers. Available for a limited time only at participating locations, the summer treat combines real Key limes with graham crackers for a sweet and creamy flavor using coconut milk and fortified with Vitamin C, Senior Marketing Manager Brittany Knollmiller, said in a company press release.

"We've received such a remarkable response to our roster of dairy-free flavors that it was a no-brainer to bring back another delicious option for the summer," she said. "

Yogurtland has more than 300 locations in the U.S., Australia, Dubai, Guam, Myanmar, Oman, Indonesia and Thailand.

Modern Market Eatery

Street Corn Pizza — sweet corn, jalapeño, 3-cheese, smoked crema, cotija, chili powder, cilantro, lime ($9.95 full | $5.96 half)
Summer Cobb — romaine, all-natural bacon, sweet corn, strawberries, watermelon radish, avocado, hardboiled egg, gorgonzola, toasted sesame seed, fresh dill, scallion ranch ($11.95 full | $7.95 half).
Seasonal Fire Roasted Veggies — fire-roasted broccoli, cauliflower, organic rainbow carrot, charred onion, and summer squash ($2.00)
Additionally, the Mushroom Muffaletta will include charred onions instead of roasted asparagus, which is no longer in season. The Mushroom Muffaletta was introduced to the menu last spring and quickly earned a special place in guests' hearts.

Bringing the bountiful, vibrant and colorful energy of a farmer's summer field into our restaurants always gets me excited this time of year," Chef Nate Weir, vice president of culinary said in the release. "I'm especially thrilled to offer sweet summer corn again. Hand-shucking it in our restaurants makes all the difference in preserving its sweet flavor and juicy texture. It nicely compliments the jalapeño's heat on the Street Corn Pizza and salty bacon on the Summer Cobb."

Along with new summer items, the eatery is also introducing three make-at-home meal kits. They include:

Pizza Night Kit — Guests can channel their inner pizza chef with their own version of the brand's hand-tossed pizzas at home. The kit comes with enough ingredients for two pizzas - dough, housemade red sauce, housemade basil pesto, three-cheese, fresh mozzarella, grated parmesan and red pepper flakes, along with a choice of four additional toppings and a special bonus: Mike's Hot Honey. (Serves 2-4, $20).
Market Deli Sandwich Kit — This kit comes with a choice of two proteins: grass-fed steak, hand-carved chicken or Berkshire pulled pork. Sandwich accouterments include Izzio's ciabatta rolls, provolone cheese, arugula, tomato, avocado, Muffaletta spread, charred onions, housemade basil aioli, housemade chipotle aioli, Dijon mustard and seasoned chips. (Serves 4, $20)
Burrito Bowl Meal Kit — It comes with a choice of two proteins: grass-fed steak, hand-carved chicken, Berkshire pulled pork or sesame glazed tofu. The kit also includes rice, romaine lettuce, lime, jalapeño, cilantro, beans, Cholula slaw, pickled onion, cotija cheese, housemade avocado tomatillo salsa, smoked crema and blue corn chips. Bonus topping? Yellowbird Sauce to spice things up. (Serves 2-4, $20)

Starbucks
Customers looking for their last sips of summer may find them at Starbucks, according to the company.

The chain has created the Kiwi Starfruit Starbucks Refreshers Beverage, a tropical combination of starfruit-flavored juice and real kiwi pieces, hand-shaken with ice, and the Star Drink, adds coconut milk to the Kiwi Starfruit Starbucks Refreshers Beverage for a sip that's under 200 calories. It will stay on the permanent menu alongside other creamy customer favorites like the Pink Drink, Violet Drink and Dragon Drink.

The Star Drink adds coconut milk to the Kiwi Starfruit Starbucks Refreshers Beverage for a sip that's under 200 calories.

Veggie Grill

Veggie Grill has rolled out a menu focused on balancing whole plant-based foods with clean, health-promoting proteins, according to a company press release. They include:

Masala Curry Bowl — roasted butternut squash, turmeric cauliflower, and braised cabbage over masala-spiced chickpea curry and wild rice.
Immunity Bowl — packed with immunity boosters that include roasted yams, dark leafy greens, roasted brussels sprouts, tempeh, quinoa and lentils with a miso mushroom sauce.
Classic Romaine Caesar — crisp romaine hearts tossed in Veggie Grill's signature Caesar dressing, flatbread croutons, parmesan and grilled lemon.
Kale + Quinoa Power Salad — Organic quinoa and black lentil salad with cucumber, shredded carrot, dried currants, gigante beans, pickled onions and 3-seed crunch; served on a bed of marinated baby kale and grilled tempeh.
The Deli Sub — deli-style cold cuts, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, pepperoncini, pickles, dijonaise, oil and vinegar on a soft wheat roll or wrap.
Reuben on Rye — Mrs. Goldfarb's corned beef, special sauce, whiskey dill sauerkraut, provolone cheese, grilled rye bread.
House Veggie Burger — wild mushroom burger, arugula, baby tomatoes, basil aioli, pickled onion on a whole grain sesame bun.
The Griller — beyond burger, lettuce mix, sliced tomato, American cheese, special sauce on a whole grain sesame bun.
Chili Burger — grilled tempeh burger topped with white bean chili, dill pickle, crispy onion strings on a whole grain sesame bun.

"Our passion is to help people begin, advance and embrace their conscious food journey, and empower them to make the world better one plant-based meal at a time," T.K. Pillan, founder and executive chairman, said in the release.

The plant-based diet movement is growing rapidly with non-vegans and non-vegetarians alike seeking alternatives to meat and dairy as a way to complement a healthy and balanced diet. An estimated 40 percent of Americans now incorporate plant-based meals into their regular diet, according to the release.

Veggie Grill has 37 locations in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon and Washington.

Joella's Hot Chicken

Joella's Hot Chicken has created the Heat Variety Pack, featuring five Jumbo Tenders seasoned with Joella's six unique heat levels including a Spiked Honey sauce on the side. Available through Sept. 30, guests may order the variety pack without a side for $10, one Southern side for $12 or two Southern sides such as theCreamy Mac & Cheese, Kale Crunch Salad or Crispy Thin Fries for $13. The pack comes with two dippin' sauces and is also available to order with vegan chicken.

"This Heat Variety Pack is a great option for newcomers to Hot Chicken and also gives our guests a chance to be a little adventurous and taste different heat levels they may not have tried before," Katie Wollrich, chief marketing officer, said in the release. "Guests have also asked if we'd ever offer a variety pack because they are excited about the chance to see how much heat they can handle. The Heat Variety Pack is another way we're showing our guests that we value their feedback and are looking for new ways to respond to customer requests."

Joella's fans will also have the chance to compete in a Heat Level Challenge by sharing their heat-level experience on social media using the hashtag #JoellasHeatChallenge and tagging @JoellasHotChicken. Winners will be selected every week through Sept. 30 for the chance to win a Joella's T-shirt and a $20 gift card.

Joella's antibiotic and hormone-free Jumbo Tenders are brushed with a proprietary blend of oil and spices, available to guests in the following heat levels:

Level 1 — Traditional Southern (No Heat)
Level 2 — Spiked Honey (Sweet and mild with a twang) *heat level served on the side
Level 3 — Ella's Fav (Flavor and lil' heat)
Level 4 — Tweener (Medium heat, between mild and hot)
Level 5 — Hot (Spicy fire, hot, but not scary)
Level 6 — Fire-In Da-Hole (Inferno — will light you up!)

Founded in 2015, Joella's includes 16 locations in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio and will have 17 stores by September 2020.

Qdoba Mexican Eats
Qdoba has launched a "Signature Eats menu" offering chef-crafted flavor combinations, while increasing convenience and flexibility, according to a company press release. In addition to having the ability to create their own entrees through customizable options, customers may also choose from the Chicken Queso Burrito Bowl, Steak Fajita Quesadilla, Chicken Protein Bowl, Impossible Fajita Bowl and Street Style Chicken Tacos.

In-house Executive Chef Katy Velazquez, who trained under Chef Rick Bayless, created each dish.

"Our new Signature Eats entrees are perfect for both first-time visitors and loyal fans," Karin Silk, Qdoba vice president of menu & off-premises, said in a company press release. "The dishes feature curated combinations of our popular and freshly-prepared flavors. They are also easy to order, which is especially important for our growing number of online guests."

Qdoba has more than 730 locations in the U.S. and Canada.

Food & Beverage