New on the Menu: Duck Season at Arby's
Skift Take
Seasonal menu items done right spark interest and make it fun for diners used to a standard menu. But there's a wrong and a right way to do it.
Arby's wants to be the place where you get meat in a sandwich, and the brand has a new combination that you won't find many places. Read on to learn about this and more new menu items.
Every few weeks Skift Table will wrap up the latest seasonal and new items on chain restaurant menus in the United States. We don't call out everything (sorry limited-time Pumpkin Spice something), but we will call out items that are notable for what they mean to a chain, the season, or consumer habits.
Arby's
Seared Duck Breast Sandwich
How Much: $6.99
When: Limited time only
Where: 16 "select" locations
Skift Table Take: Arby's continues to demonstrate that it does indeed have the meats. We like the sound of this one: It's duck season in many U.S. states/counties, and Arby's says it is selling these sandwiches where hunting takes place. So too bad, Boston, and you're in luck Wyomissing, PA. Arby's has done this before with its venison sandwich, so perhaps there will be a repeat in 2019. We're down with seasonal food at big chains, even if a short-term gimmick.
Read more from Arby's.
When: Limited time only
Where: 16 "select" locations
Skift Table Take: Arby's continues to demonstrate that it does indeed have the meats. We like the sound of this one: It's duck season in many U.S. states/counties, and Arby's says it is selling these sandwiches where hunting takes place. So too bad, Boston, and you're in luck Wyomissing, PA. Arby's has done this before with its venison sandwich, so perhaps there will be a repeat in 2019. We're down with seasonal food at big chains, even if a short-term gimmick.
Read more from Arby's.
Applebee's
Neighborhood Pastas
How Much: $11.99 and up
When: Limited time only
Where: "Participation may vary"
Skift Table Take: We have no idea what a "neighborhood pasta" is, but it appears to be an attempt to connect cream-based pasta dishes like chicken alfredo with Applebee's ongoing push to be your neighborhood local. And look, there's a breadstick, too. It's certainly cheaper than selling entree-sized steaks and other more expensive menu items, and also solves the quandary of whether to choose competitor Olive Garden instead, since you can please everyone at Applebee's (well, except Wall Street). One lingering question: Who is Applebee's "Chef Bulgarelli," who gets his/her eponymous stuffed rigatoni?
Read more from Applebee's.
When: Limited time only
Where: "Participation may vary"
Skift Table Take: We have no idea what a "neighborhood pasta" is, but it appears to be an attempt to connect cream-based pasta dishes like chicken alfredo with Applebee's ongoing push to be your neighborhood local. And look, there's a breadstick, too. It's certainly cheaper than selling entree-sized steaks and other more expensive menu items, and also solves the quandary of whether to choose competitor Olive Garden instead, since you can please everyone at Applebee's (well, except Wall Street). One lingering question: Who is Applebee's "Chef Bulgarelli," who gets his/her eponymous stuffed rigatoni?
Read more from Applebee's.
Burger King
Nightmare King Sandwich
How Much: $6.39
When: October 22-November 1
Where: Participating locations
Skift Table Take: Somebody needs to tell Burger King that it's not just important that people talk about you, but that they should be saying nice things when they do. The flame-broiled chain has had a rather decent chicken sandwich for decades, but their new promotion suggests that it does not cause enough sleep disorders for the chain's patrons. A man who Burger King's PR department insists is a real doctor conducted sleep studies on some diners and says "after eating the Nightmare King, the data obtained from the study indicated that the incidence of nightmares increased by 3.5 times." The sandwich comes with cheese, sautéed onions, bacon, and a green sesame bun. Don't worry if you miss out: once the limited-time offer ends there are many other items on the BK menu that can also offer discomfort.
Read more from Burger King/BusinessWire.
When: October 22-November 1
Where: Participating locations
Skift Table Take: Somebody needs to tell Burger King that it's not just important that people talk about you, but that they should be saying nice things when they do. The flame-broiled chain has had a rather decent chicken sandwich for decades, but their new promotion suggests that it does not cause enough sleep disorders for the chain's patrons. A man who Burger King's PR department insists is a real doctor conducted sleep studies on some diners and says "after eating the Nightmare King, the data obtained from the study indicated that the incidence of nightmares increased by 3.5 times." The sandwich comes with cheese, sautéed onions, bacon, and a green sesame bun. Don't worry if you miss out: once the limited-time offer ends there are many other items on the BK menu that can also offer discomfort.
Read more from Burger King/BusinessWire.
Photo Caption: The limited-time duck sandwich at Arby's.
Up Next
Experiences
How Travel Brands Can Seize the ‘Q5’ Opportunity on TikTok
Driven by increased spending on experiences and the digital habits of younger audiences, TikTok has emerged as a key platform for inspiring and shaping travel decisions. Leveraging the platform’s reach early in the year presents a unique opportunity for travel brands to connect with eager travelers.
Sponsored 
Podcasts
Southwest Blames Partners, Canadians Avoid the U.S. and Indian Women Lead
On today’s podcast we discuss Southwest’s disappointment with booking partners, Canadians’ disappointment with the U.S., and the women leading change in the Indian travel industry.
Hotels
Taj-Parent Indian Hotels Company Enters Ras Al Khaimah With Branded Residences
With big competitors like Movenpick and Hampton by Hilton resorts, IHCL has clearly tried to set itself apart by going the branded apartment route.
Online Travel
Yanolja Teams With ChatGPT and Google. More AI Partnerships to Come, CEO Says
Industry leaders envision a future where consumers can plan, book, and manage all aspects of travel from a single interface. These early partnerships between AI and travel companies bring that vision a step closer.
Online Travel
Southwest Didn't Get the Gains It Expected From New Online Booking Channels
Southwest is looking to expand its online distribution even though it didn't get the love it sought for its now-abandoned 'bags fly free' policy.