Fast food’s summer treats are here and you don’t want to miss out on these!
Forget your usual fast food orders. This summer, your favorite restaurants are dropping mouthwatering new items with flavors that scream bite me. Schlotzsky’s, for example, is kicking off summer with a limited-time BBQ menu, plus two new permanent additions to its beverage lineup. Meanwhile, Potbelly is introducing a new sweet treat bursting with tropical flavor. If you’re ready to head into warmer months, you’ll want to grab these new menu releases!
Potbelly’s New Key Lime Pie Cookie
It’s summertime at Potbelly as the restaurant moves to add Key Lime Pie Cookie to its lineup of signature sweet treats. This newest dessert promises to bring summer-y vibe and refreshing flavor. The Key Lime Pie Cookie joins other classic sweet treats at Potbelly, including Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Brownie, and Sugar Cookies.
According to the Director of Consumer Insights and Innovation at Potbelly, Eric Chenel, the launch of the new Key Lime Pie Cookie is their way of welcoming the warmer weather. This menu addition boasts a combination of sweet, bright, and tart flavors that makes a perfect pair to your favorite Potbelly sandwich.
And speaking of sandwich, Potbelly also added the new Prime Rib Steak Sandwich to its menu as a permanent offering. This oven-toasted sub features sliced prime rib steak, housemade caramelized onions, melty Swiss cheese, and savory roasted garlic aioli. We bet this will taste great with the Key Lime Pie Cookie, which, by the way, is available for a limited time only, until supplies last.
Schlotzsky’s Limited-Time BBQ Menu
Schlotzsky’s, on the other hand, welcomes summer with the launch of a limited-time BBQ menu. This is happening just in time for the National BBQ Day on May 16, and the new menu offers varied ways to enjoy the smoky Sweet Heat BBQ flavor all season long. Here are the new drool-worthy items you can find on Schlotzsky’s BBQ menu:
- Sweet Heat BBQ Chicken Sandwich – This sandwich features layers of flavors from chicken, bacon, pickles, cheddar, red onions, sweet heat BBQ sauce, and jalapeño topper. All these are served on a sourdough bun; available in small, medium, and giant sizes.
- Sweet Heat BBQ Chicken Salad – If you’re searching for that summer-y salad, look no further. This menu item is loaded with chicken, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, cheddar, egg, avocado, jalapeño topper, and sweet heat BBQ sauce.
- BBQ Chicken & Jalapeño Pizza – Pizza and BBQ flavors when combined would hit different! If you don’t believe us, try it for yourself at Schlotzsky’s. Their new pizza features chicken, BBQ sauce, onion, pickled jalapeños, and two cheeses.
For the complete summer BBQ experience, why not pair any of the items above with Schlotzsky’s new beverages? The brand’s latest permanent drinks on the menu are Classic Lemonade and Strawberry Lemonade, both crafted with Minute Maid and real cane sugar. The Strawberry Lemonade is also infused with strawberry fruit puree.
To celebrate the launch of the BBQ menu, Schlotzsky’s is also giving fans a chance to win a Cowboy-Cation experience! That’s right, the prize is a 3-day and 2-night trip for the winner and a guest at the Cowboy Palace by Leisure Time Properties in Texas. Of course, there are food and drinks all weekend courtesy of Schlotzsky’s! To join, just visit SchlotzskysCowboyCation.com from May 16 to May 30, and fill in your information. Another way is to purchase a BBQ or Lemonade menu item using a Schlotzsky’s Rewards Account. Once done, you’ll be automatically entered for the contest.
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Other Summer Menu Releases to Check Out
Summer is heating up and so is fast food game. Aside from Schlotzsky’s and Potbelly, other big names in the fast food industry have already released their summer specials. We’re here to make sure you’re not missing out on something big and flavorful, so read on!
Dunkin’s Summer Specials
Refresher is the name of the game this summer, so it’s not that surprising when Dunkin’ dropped its new Tropical Guava Refresher for summer. What sets this drink apart is it comes with B vitamins for energy boost. Other items you’ll find on Dunkin’s summer menu 2025 are the Pistachio Signature Latte and Iced Strawberry Lemon Loaf. The latter is a new offering that features a lemon loaf base and strawberry-flavored icing topper.
Shake Shack’s BBQ Menu
It’s BBQ season, and Shake Shack might just be competing with Schlotzsky’s BBQ menu. Shake Shack’s lineup features two tasty burgers: Smoky Classic BBQ Burger and Carolina BBQ Burger with Fried Pickles. Other items on the menu include Carolina BBQ Chicken Sandwich with Fried Pickles, Spicy Fries, and Spicy Cheese Fries.
Red Robin’s Summer Seasonal Items
Not to be outdone, Red Robin also released its summer menu early. The brand has a burger that’s reminiscent of summer backyard BBQ, the Backyard BBQ Pork Burger. To elevate things further, BBQ and nachos set off for a union in Red Robin’s Backyard BBQ Pork Nachos. For refreshing drinks, you can sip on the Peach-Berry Freckled Lemonade or Peaches & Cream Milkshake, both featuring diced peaches and peach puree for that fruity twist.
Wendy’s Early Summer Treats
Last April, Wendy’s started giving us a taste of summer by releasing the new Tangerine Twist Lemonade, which combines tangerine and tropical fruit flavors. But that’s not all because Wendy’s also upgraded everyone’s favorite Frosty treats. The Frosty Swirl is now available in the following flavors: Caramel, Brownie Batter, and Strawberry. Come May 12, Frosty Fusion will enter the menu to make your summer even more refreshing!
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From The Club
It looks like summer-themed fast food items are arriving earlier than usual, but hey, who are we to complain? Schlotzsky’s has a new menu that sounds like heaven for BBQ lovers, while Potbelly is making sure we get that sweet tropical finish after devouring the Prime Rib Steak Sandwich. These new menu releases are stirring up excitement; we can’t wait for other drool-worthy treats in the coming weeks!