I don’t blame you for rarely straying from your usual drive-thru order (I’m the same way, TBH). But summer is prime time for new launches from all the major chains, and if you’re hungry for change, allow me to present 17 of the most exciting new menu items at fast food chains in July.
They range from the long-awaited return of McDonald’s Snack Wraps to Sonic’s pickle-themed lineup to an unexpected collab between Sydney Sweeney and Baskin-Robbins. Read on for the latest and tastiest.
Fans have waited years for these crispy, satisfying handhelds to make a comeback. On July 10, they’ll be revived in two varieties, spicy and ranch. (Sorry, honey mustard stans.) They’ll each contain one McCrispy Strip, shredded lettuce and shredded cheese, tucked in a flour tortilla like back in the day.
After launching surprisingly tasty chicken nuggets in late 2024 (which placed second in my ranking of fast food chicken nuggets, BTW), the chain followed up with Crispy Chicken Strips. Available now, they can be ordered solo with a side of spicy ranch for dipping, or you can try them in tacos or burritos with one of two new sauces, Spicy Ranchero or Avocado Ranch.
Also new to stores is a six-drink lineup of Refrescas. Three Agua Refrescas, made with freeze-dried fruit and green tea for a touch of caffeine—strawberry passionfruit, dragon fruit berry and mango peach—are on the menu for good. There are also two high-caffeine Rockstar Energy Refrescas, available in Pineapple Lime and Tropical Punch, and a new Strawberry Lime Refresca Freeze to sip on.
It was just announced that Shake Shack is reviving its Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake, inspired by the viral chocolate bar. Originally launched exclusively in NYC, LA and Miami, it’s now available nationwide for a limited time. The milkshake stars pistachio frozen custard, blended with toasted kataifi (that’s shredded phyllo dough) in a crackable dark chocolate shell. It’s finished with more chopped pistachios and crunchy kataifi for good measure.
If you’re lucky enough to live in Del Taco territory, you need to get there, stat. Available now are four mains starring slow cooked pork carnitas, simmered in spices and doused in smoky roasted salsa roja. You can try it in a quesadilla, burrito, tacos or atop loaded fries. In case you still need more convincing, the chain also brought back its fan-favorite funnel cake fries and Independence Poppers drinks (a blue raspberry soda, lemonade or milkshake, dappled with strawberry-flavored popping boba pearls) for another summer.
Between the impending revival of McDonald’s Snack Wraps, Taco Bell’s chicken strip taco (which looks a lot like a Snack Wrap…) and this newness from Popeye’s, I sense we’re in the midst of a fast food chicken wrap renaissance. The chain’s version comes on a flour tortilla with one chicken tender, lettuce, shredded cheese and pickle chips. All three iterations—mayo, honey mustard and spicy—are available now.Could this spark a sequel to the chicken sandwich wars?
A summer sipper if I’ve ever seen one. The chicken chain’s famous peach milkshake is available now in all its rich, creamy glory. It’s studded with tart-sweet peach pieces and infused with peach purée. If you’re not feeling soft serve, there’s also the Peach Frosted Lemonade, a hand-spun concoction of vanilla Icedream, lemonade and peaches.
Chipotle hasn’t had a new sauce in its lineup since the launch of Queso Blanco. But a few weeks ago, zesty, creamy Adobo Ranch graced the menu. Made with adobo peppers (which are typically chipotle peppers—aka smoked, dried jalapeños—preserved in a tomatoey, garlicky sauce), sour cream, herbs and spices, it’s a tangy, tingly addition to burrito bowls and quesadillas alike.
Pickle lovers to the front. Starting June 30, there’s a handheld, side and drink starring your favorite snack. Start with the hand-smashed, made-to-order Big Dill Double or Triple SONIC Smasher, made with Angus beef, two slices of American cheese, dill pickle-seasoned crispy cucumbers, dilly ranch, Grillo’s Pickle Chips and lettuce on a potato bun. For your side, choose from dill pickle-seasoned Tots or Groovy Fries (read: the latter are genuinely scrumptious). And to wash it all down, there’s the Picklerita Slush, made with lime, pickle juice, pickle juice flavor bubbles and one Grillo’s pickle chip.
Blazing through menus on June 24 came the spicy Takis Fuego meal at Wendy’s, starring a Takis Fuego chicken sandwich—complete with chili lime sauce, creamy corn spread and crushed Takis Fuego chips—and Takis-Inspired Fuego Fries, tossed in chili-lime seasoning. In case that’s not enough Takis for you, you can also add a bag of chips to your order while supplies last.
Still haven’t planned that Sicilian getaway? No worries—head to Panera Bread before mid-September to try the new Italian lineup. The menu includes an Italian Steak & Mozz sandwich with marinated sliced steak, fresh mozzarella, tomato, arugula, garlic aioli, basil and Italian dressing on black pepper focaccia; the Italian Market Salad, made with mixed greens, arugula, Italian dressing, soppressata, Asiago cheese, basil, salt, pepper, chickpeas and croutons, and the Strawberry Basil Lemonade Fresca, sweetened with agave nectar. There are also three additional new items coming to stores: the Ham Croissant Benny breakfast sandwich, the Ranch Parm BLT Salad and Brownie Cheesecake Bites.
Starting July 1, the first of what I presume will be many Whatafreshers is going live at Whataburger stores. The first to debut is the Prickly Pear Raspberry Whatafresher, a tangy, fruity blend of real raspberries, lemon and prickly pear. It’ll only be available for a limited time, then another flavor will take over.
It’s 2025—Arby’s does much more than deli sandwiches nowadays. Latest to its lineup are cheesesteaks, available now for a limited time, which are piled high with a quarter-pound of thinly shaved Angus steak, melted American cheese, a diced bell pepper and onion blend and garlic spread, all atop a toasted bun.
As of July 1, you’ll be able to snack and sip like the actress of White Lotus fame. The Sweet on Sydney Menu includes Sydney’s Signature Scoop—rainbow sherbet with gummy bears in a chocolate-dipped waffle cone with sprinkles—and Sydney’s Signature Fizz, a blend of rainbow sherbet with STARRY lemon lime soda, crowned with mini gummy bears.
Available now are three new doughnuts, part of the chain’s Stars, Stripes & Sweetness Collection. Try the Freedom Ring, USA Party or Vanilla Cookies & Kreme Liberty Crunch numbers on for size. For an even sweeter deal, go to your closest shop on July 4 wearing red, white and blue, and you’ll score a free original glazed doughnut, no purchase necessary.
From July 1 to 7, Starbucks stans can sip the brand-new Firework Frappuccino Blended Beverage. It’s like a frozen take on the Summer-Berry Refresher, which is made with coconut milk and dappled with raspberry-flavored pearls. It’s tart-sweet with layers of red (strawberry purée), white (vanilla sweet cream cold foam) and blue (Summer-Berry base).
Available starting the second week of July, the salad chain Sweetgreen just added three oh-so-seasonal items to its lineup. Options include a Peach + Goat Cheese salad, a revived fan-favorite with peaches, goat cheese, almonds and balsamic vinaigrette; a much-requested Elote Bowl, teeming with roasted corn and peppers, creamy goat cheese, tortilla chips and lime cilantro-jalapeño vinaigrette, and the new Chicken Caprese, made with roasted chicken, pesto, mozz and cherry tomatoes.
