Try These Brand New Fast-Food Menu Items Dropping in May

Fast-food restaurants are always innovating (and competing), and that means there’s always some new fast-food menu item to try. McDonald’s, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell, Subway, and other big chains regularly introduce limited-time offerings to entice customers to keep coming back. Here’s what’s new this month in the fast-food world. 

Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Burger King: Galaxy Menu

There’s a Mandalorian and Grogu-themed menu at Burger King right now that debuted on May 4th (get it?). There are collectible cups that tie in to the new movie later this month, plus all these new menu items:

• BBQ Bounty Whopper: quarter-pound beef patty with Swiss, bacon, pickle chips, lettuce, tomato, and a creamy Bounty BBQ sauce
• Grogu’s Garlic Chicken Fries: crispy Chicken Fries tossed with parmesan and garlic, and a side of garlic dipping sauce
• Imperial Cheddar Ranch Tots: tater tots filled with cheddar and seasoned with ranch
• Grogu’s Blue Cookie Shake: vanilla soft serve blended with blue sugar cookie syrup and topped with crushed blue cookies

Taco Bell: Zab’s Chicken Ranch Nacho Fries

Taco Bell always has new limited-time goodies, and this month is no exception. Here’s what’s new right now:

• Diablo Dusted Crispy Chicken Nuggets: marinated chicken with a crunchy tortilla chip coating and spicy Diablo seasoning, served with Bell Sauce, Jalapeño Honey Mustard, or Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch
• Triple Double Crunchwrap: a fan-favorite with extra layers of beef, tostada shells, nacho cheese sauce, sour cream, lettuce, and tomatoes in a grilled tortilla
• Zab’s Chicken Ranch Nacho Fries: spiced fries topped with chicken, nacho cheese sauce, shredded cheese blend, pico de gallo, and Zab’s Ranch

McDonald’s: New Drink Lineup

McDonald’s has revamped its McCafe drink menu with fruity specialty drinks. Here’s what’s new:

• Strawberry Watermelon Refresher: strawberry and watermelon flavors with a lemonade base, plus freeze‑dried strawberries
• Mango Pineapple Refresher: mango and pineapple flavors with a lemonade base and strawberry popping boba
• Blackberry Passion Fruit Refresher: blackberry and passion fruit flavors with lemonade and freeze‑dried dragon fruit
• Sprite Berry Blast: Sprite with blue raspberry syrup topped with cold foam
• Orange Dream: Hi‑C Orange Lavaburst mixed vanilla and topped with cold foam
• Dirty Dr Pepper: Dr Pepper with vanilla and topped with cold foam

Plus, you can still get the Big Arch, the new burger that’s created a ton of buzz — some good, some bad. It’s the chain’s biggest burger ever, and it comes with two quarter-pound beef patties, three slices of white cheddar cheese, both crispy and slivered onions (that’s what they call their regular burger onions), lettuce, pickles, and Big Arch sauce. Most people seem to like it, except the McD’s CEO, who went viral for a cringe social media video.

Dunkin’: Summer Menu

There are lots of new things on the Dunkin’ menu right now, including blackberry flavors and dirty soda as well. Here’s everything new:

• Cherry Lime Rickey Refresher: black cherry flavor with new limeade
• Cherry Daydream Refresher: black cherry flavor with oatmilk and topped with sweet cold foam
• Very Cherry Daydream Refresher: black cherry flavored Daydream Refresher with toasted almond flavor
• Cherry Protein Daydream Refresher: black cherry flavor with protein milk and topped with sweet cold foam
• Dirty Soda: coffee milk with Pepsi topped with sweet cold foam
• Oreo Cloud Latte: espresso and whole milk with a chocolate cookie swirl and topped with marshmallow cold foam
• Oreo Matcha: matcha latte with whole milk and vanilla, topped with marshmallow cold foam and Oreo crumbles

Papa John’s: Pan Pizza

There’s a new type of pizza at Papa John’s. The pan pizza is made with garlic butter and parmesan on the bottom, giving it a crispy, sturdy crust. There’s caramelized cheese around the edge of the pan as well, similar to a Detroit-style pie. In case you’re wondering how it is, we thought it was pretty good — and better than Domino’s.

If a sandwich is what you’re after, there are three new oven-toasted sandwiches in Philly cheesesteak, chicken bacon ranch, and steak and mushroom.

Dairy Queen: Swicy Menu

Things are hot and sweet at Dairy Queen this month with a new “Swicy” menu. The FlameThrower Chicken Strip basket includes smoky, spicy chicken strips, fries, Texas toast, and a small cup of vanilla soft serve meant for dipping your hot chicken into. There are also two new pineapple drinks made with Tajin, the sour and spicy Mexican seasoning. And here are the current limited-time Blizzard offerings:

• Strawberry Angel Food Cake
• S’mores
• Cotton Candy
• Choco Frosted Donut

Starbucks: Spring Menu

Starbucks has transitioned to its Spring menu. Here’s what’s new:

• Iced Ube Coconut Latte: espresso and coconut topped with ube coconut cold foam and a sprinkle of coconut flakes
• Iced Ube Coconut Macchiato: espresso, coconut milk, and ube coconut cold foam
• Iced Lavender Cream Chai: chai, milk, and lavender cream cold foam
• Coconut Whiskey Barrel-Aged Cold Brew: whiskey barrel-aged cold brew, layered with coconut cream cold foam and topped with strawberry pieces
• Watermelon Coconut Matcha: coconut water, watermelon purée, and matcha

Arby’s: French Dip Royale

There are a lot of new items on the menu at Arby’s right now, including a brand new way to enjoy roast beef. The French Dip Royale sandwich is made with roast beef and provolone cheese, caramelized onions, steak seasoning, and garlic aioli on a toasted sub roll. Plus, there’s a barbecue pulled pork and chopped brisket lineup of sandwiches and bowls.

Wendy’s: Jalapeño Ranch Cheeseburger

There are a lot of new items on the menu at Wendy’s this month. Here’s what’s new:

• Jalapeño Ranch Cheeseburger: cheeseburger with jalapeño ranch, sliced jalapeños, and American cheese
• Jalapeño Breakfast Biscuit: biscuit, an egg, your choice of sausage or bacon, American cheese, and sliced jalapeños
• Jalapeño Bacon Breakfast Potatoes: seasoned breakfast potatoes topped with sliced jalapeños, three strips of bacon, and Swiss cheese sauce
• Cookie Dough Frosty Fusion: vanilla Frosty blended with cookie dough chunks and brownie batter sauce
• Watermelon Lemonade: lemonade mixed with sweet watermelon puree

Hardee’s: Prime Rib Burger

There’s a new burger option at Hardee’s right now, plus some other goodies. The Prime Rib Burger is topped with prime rib slices dipped in au jus, along with garlic cheddar sauce and grilled onions. You can also get prime rib slices on a breakfast biscuit sandwich with Swiss and an egg, or in a breakfast burrito. There’s also festive star-shaped sweet biscuits studded with red and blue sprinkles.

Sonic: Sonic Smasher

There’s a new burger on the menu at Sonic this month. The Sonic Smasher is made with two smashed, crispy beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, pickles, ketchup, and mayo. Plus, there are a number of new drinks right now, including strawberry horchata cream slush, strawberry passion fruit refresher, mango peach refresher, and berry citrus refresher.

If you’re in search of more Sonic deals, check out our ranking of the Sonic Value Menu.

Panera: Salad Stuffers

There’s a brand new type of sandwich on the menu at Panera right now. Salad Stuffers are made with soft Italian rolls filled with half salads, and come with just about any of the salads Panera offers. Here’s what else is new:

• Steakhouse Salad
• Santa Fe Chicken Salad
• Dubai Style Chocolate Pistachio Cookie
• Toasted Caprese Focaccia
• Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad
• Mexican Street Corn Chowder
• Dragonfruit Sunset Energy Refresher

Del Taco: Big Fat Tacos

Big Fat Tacos are back at Del Taco, and they’re exactly what they sound like: big tacos stuffed with lots of filling like beef, chicken, steak, and eggs. There are also Dragon Fruit Blueberry Poppers drinks and mini sweet cream churros.

Popeyes: Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich

There’s a new fried chicken sandwich in town at Popeyes. It’s got the chain’s famous chicken sandwich filet topped with honey barbecue sauce and pickle slices. Plus, wraps are back permanently, with classic, spicy, and blackened ranch versions.

Chick-fil-A: Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Club

Chick-fil-A has a new sandwich right now. The Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Club is made with your choice of chicken filet topped with pickled jalapeños, pepperjack cheese, caramelized onion, candied bacon, lettuce, and tomato on a special ranch-seasoned bun. It also comes with a side of new jalapeño ranch for dipping — which we thought was the best part of the entire sandwich.

Whataburger: Bacon Steakhouse Double

There are a few new items on the menu all the time at Whataburger. The Bacon Steakhouse Double burger has two beef patties, aged cheddar, bacon, crispy fried onions, and steak sauce. There’s also a banana pudding shake and a new strawberry hibiscus Whatafresher drink.

Little Caesars: Four-N-One Stix

Little Caesars has a new item that’s perfect for breadstick lovers. The Four-N-One Stix is one big order of breadsticks — the size of a large pizza crust — topped with four items: bacon, pepperoni, jalapeño, and plain cheese. It comes with Crazy Sauce for dipping, of course.

Jack in the Box: Smashed Jack Sliders

Jack in the Box never lets anyone down who wants new, unusual menu items. Here’s what’s new on the menu this month:

• Smashed Jack Sliders: mini smashed burgers with American cheese, pickles, and sauce
• Sweet Reaper Mozzarella Sticks: sweet and hot mozzarella sticks with ranch dipping sauce
• Dr Pepper Strawberries and Cream Shake: Dr Pepper shake blended with strawberries and cream

Jimmy John’s: Greek and Chicken Gyros

Jimmy John’s is branching out since bringing ovens into its stores. The latest creations in hot sandwiches are Greek and Chicken Gyros. The Greek Gyro has lamb and beef gyro meat with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, and tzatziki sauce wrapped in a warm pita bread, while the chicken version swaps the gyro meat for seasoned chicken. Plus, you can get a side of Greek cucumber salad along with it. There’s also a returning Thai chicken wrap with satay sauce.

Subway: Protein Pockets

Subway is leaning into its healthy image. Here’s the new lineup of Protein Pockets, all wrapped in a wheat tortilla.

• Baja Chicken: grilled chicken with cheddar, Baja Chipotle sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and sliced jalapeños
• Peppercorn Ranch Chicken: grilled chicken with cheddar, peppercorn ranch, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles
• Italian Trio: ham, pepperoni, salami, cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo
• Turkey & Ham: turkey, ham, cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo

KFC: KFC Snacker

KFC has a new snack-sized sandwich this month. The KFC Snacker is made with one chicken tender in a slider bun with mayo and pickles, plus optional coleslaw or spicy mayo. Get it individually or as part of a new $5, $7, or $9 Box Feast. On the side, try the new fried pickles and a prickly pear lemonade.

Qdoba: Citrus Lime Shrimp

Qdoba, Chipotle’s biggest rival, has brought back a popular seafood protein option. The citrus lime shrimp is sautéed in a tangy lime sauce. Get it in any entrée, including burritos, bowls, and on top of nachos.

Shake Shack: BBQ Menu

There’s a whole new barbecue-inspired menu at Shake Shack this month, including a McRib-like sandwich. Here’s what’s on it.

• BBQ Boneless Baby Back Rib Sandwich: baby back pork ribs that are hand deboned, slow-cooked for nine hours, and marinated in a barbecue spice blend with apple cider vinegar. Served on a bun with slaw and pickles
• Smoky Classic BBQ Burger: beef topped with American cheese, applewood-smoked bacon, pickles, crispy onions, and smoky barbecue sauce
• Smoky Classic BBQ Chicken Sandwich: crispy white-meat chicken topped with American cheese, applewood-smoked bacon, pickles, crispy onions, and smoky barbecue sauce
• Spicy Fries with Ranch: crinkle cut fries spiced with a hot pepper blend of cayenne, garlic, and paprika, served with a side of ranch

Steak ‘n Shake: Beef Tallow Fries

Steak ‘n Shake has brought back a blast from the past: The entire burger chain is frying its French fries in beef tallow. It gives the chain’s shoestring fries an unmistakable flavor that many people still crave after McDonald’s stopped the practice in the 1990s. 

Taco John’s: Avocado Ranch Chicken Taco Salad

Taco John’s has a new salad on the menu right now. The avocado ranch chicken taco salad has a bed of lettuce topped with grilled chicken, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream, bacon, and avocado ranch dressing served in the best part: a fried taco bowl. There’s also Mexi-Rolls, a Tex-Mex eggroll, and fruit summer drinks.

Bojangles: Strawberry Cobbler

There’s a new dessert at Bojangles, a Southern chain known for its biscuits and fried chicken. It’s got a warm strawberry topping over a buttermilk biscuit that’s drizzled with icing. Plus, smoked sausage biscuits and Chicken Rippers are back.

Domino’s: Parmesan Stuffed Crust Pizza

It’s hard to believe that Domino’s hasn’t had stuffed-crust pizza until now, but that’s all changed with its new Parmesan-stuffed crust. It’s made with buttery-flavored dough wrapped around mozzarella cheese, then topped with garlic seasoning and parmesan. Get it with whatever toppings you want. Plus, try the new cinnamon- or garlic-flavored bread bites.

Chipotle: Chipotle Honey Chicken

Chipotle brought back one of its most popular proteins. Chipotle honey chicken is made with grilled chicken seasoned with Mexican spices in a marinade of smoked chipotle peppers and a bit of honey. Get it in any entrée for a limited time.

Culver’s: Colby Jack Pub Burger

A fan-favorite burger has returned to Culver’s. The Colby Jack Pub Burger tops the chain’s smashed burger patties with Colby Jack cheese, crispy onions, and a zesty A.1. pepper mayo on an everything-seasoned bun.

Jersey Mike’s: Mike’s Hot Italian

Jersey Mike’s doesn’t often get limited-time specials, but there’s a new one right now. Mike’s Hot Italian has ham, salami, and pepperoni chopped and grilled, then topped with provolone, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, and pepper relish.

Panda Express: Dynamite Sweet and Sour Chicken

Panda Express has a new entrée to choose from this month. Dynamite Sweet and Sour Chicken is made with fried chicken pieces tossed with onions, red bell peppers, and a super spicy sauce that includes Buldak hot sauce, a popular spicy ramen brand.

More Fast-Food Deals and News From Cheapism

• ‘Rubbery,’ ‘Horrible’: McDonald’s New Snack Wrap Is a Big Disappointment to Fans — If you were excited about the return of Snack Wraps, we have bad news for you.
• 23 Fast‑Food Family Meal Deals Available in April — Feeding a group doesn’t have to bust your budget. Discover the latest meal deals from your favorite chains.
• The Cheapest Fast‑Food Items That Actually Fill You Up — Despite rising prices, you can still fill up on bargains.