Chill and chow down with these fresh menu additions.
Imagine bites that satisfy and drinks that revitalize. These are the exact same things you’ll find at Shake Shack and Smoothie King! For the first time ever, Shake Shack is offering a new side other than fries, and you’ll love this one if you want something that’s a little tangy. On the other hand, we have Smoothie King that’s always been committed to crafting new drinks in line with its Clean Blends initiative. The exciting part is Smoothie King didn’t just announce new drinks but an entirely new menu category! Let’s take a closer look at these new releases.
Shake Shack ‘s New Fried Pickles with Ranch
Shake Shack is giving its menu a shakeup by expanding its side offerings. Finally, other than fries, you can enjoy Fried Pickles with Ranch at Shake Shack! That’s right, this craveable new side comes with a house-made ranch, so expect something crispy, tangy, and seriously dunkable.
Now, let’s talk about the fried pickles themselves. According to the brand, they’re not your average pickle chips. Shake Shack uses their signature proprietary-brined pickles, sliced, lightly coated, well-seasoned, and fried to crunchy perfection. The brand recalls their pickles playing a supporting role in their burgers, but now, they’re ready to take the spotlight. The Fried Pickles with Ranch will be hitting the menus today (May 20, 2025), and pricing starts at $3.99.
If you swing by Shake Shack, don’t forget that their Summer BBQ menu is also back! Make the most of your visit by trying out limited-time menu items like Smoky Classic BBQ Burger and Spicy Cheese Fries. There are also items that feature fried pickles, such as the Carolina BBQ Burger with Fried Pickles and Carolina BBQ Chicken Sandwich with Fried Pickles.
Additionally, Shake Shack is still celebrating the National Hamburger Month by offering a free single burger with a $10 minimum purchase. Through May 25, you can score a free Avocado Bacon Burger and from May 26 to June 1, you can get a free ShackBurger. Just use the code “BURGERMONTH” when you place your order in-store, online, or via the app.
Smoothie King’s New Hydration Smoothies
The world’s leading purpose-driven smoothie brand has done it again. With the release of a new smoothie category called Hydration, Smoothie King continues to inspire healthy and active lifestyles. The new category features three refreshing blends that will leave you feeling your best and, of course, hydrated. The Hydration category also includes a returning fan-favorite: Hydration Watermelon Smoothie.
All the smoothies from the Hydration category are made with naturally hydrating ingredients like coconut water and electrolytes, with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. According to Smoothie King, these smoothies have more electrolytes than some of the leading sports drinks, making the former a great option for supporting active lifestyles amid the summer heat.
Here’s the complete lineup from the Hydration category:
- Hydration Watermelon – It’s back by popular demand! This smoothie features a combination of watermelon juice blend, strawberries, and coconut water for a clean recovery drink.
- Hydration Pineapple Mango – Experience island magic in a healthy way with this smoothie that features pineapples, mangoes, apple-pineapple juice, and coconut water.
- Hydration Berry – Every sip from this smoothie promises hydration and fruity flavors, made with strawberries, raspberries, pineapple, and coconut water.
Additionally, Smoothie King is offering the Free Upsize Friday promo for a limited time, so guests can enjoy the new smoothies and all other blends at a great value. Previously available to SK Healthy Rewards loyalty members only, the Free Upsize Friday is now accessible to all guests for the first time ever, starting May 30, 2025. You can enjoy a 32oz smoothie for the price of a 20oz, so don’t miss out!
Of course, that’s not all, because Smoothie King has more to offer aside from the new Hydration category. The brand also expanded its watermelon offerings with three new blends that help with different lifestyle goals like better gut health, muscle recovery, and meal replacement. Here are the new blends to look forward to:
- Activator Recovery Watermelon – This refreshing drink combines watermelon juice with coconut water, strawberries, and Gladiator® Vanilla Protein to support post-workout recovery.
- Gut Health Watermelon – This blend is as nourishing as it is delicious, made with Greek yogurt, strawberries, watermelon juice, apple juice, and a gut health enhancer to aid with digestive wellness.
- Power Meal Slim Watermelon – If you’re looking for a meal replacement that will keep you energized throughout the day, try this blend of watermelon juice, coconut water, strawberries, and Power Slim protein.
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Other Healthy Menu Releases to Watch Out For
This isn’t a dream; more and more healthy food items are springing up as a result of evolving consumer preferences. And we’re here to update you about some of the freshest and crave-worthy healthy menu releases so far. Let’s dig in!
- Habit Burger & Grill’s new salad lineup – Habit is aiming to dominate the salad category, but they want to stand out by offering hot chargrilled chicken onto fresh, crisp greens. That’s why the brand has revamped its salad lineup, each one is made to order with none of those cold, rubbery chicken pieces. The lineup includes Mango Miso Salad, Santa Barbara Cobb, and Harvest Chopped Salad, among others.
- Nick the Greek’s Tahini Crunch Salad and Chopped Salad – Nick the Greek, known for authentic Greek street food, also expanded its menu to include two new salads. First, there’s the Tahini Crunch Salad, featuring fresh ingredients like romaine, kale, and grape tomatoes, as well as flavorful mix-ins like spicy harissa, fried chickpeas, and hummus, to name a few. Meanwhile, the Chopped Salad features ingredients like Kalamata olives, lemon zest dressing, feta, and pita chips for a Mediterranean twist.
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From The Club
We’re not over yet with Shake Shack‘s Summer BBQ menu, and the chain has dropped another item to try! Not that we’re complaining, though; a flavorful side is always welcome. 😋 Over at Smoothie King, I love how things are shaping up. I have always admired this brand for being purpose-driven and it’s thrilling to see their new drinks that reflect the Clean Blends initiative. Move over peaches, it’s time for watermelon to rise!