Limited-time menus vanish too soon, and that’s why we love fast food chains that go all in. Meaning, they make sure to always surprise us with bold, creative, and a little bit chaotic (in the best way) menu items. These 10 fast food chains know exactly how to keep things fresh, fun, and totally crave-worthy!
10. Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box is known for creative chaos, as well as campaigns and limited-time offers that appeal to the Internet-savvy and late night snackers. The brand’s culinary risk-taking and marketing mischief have resulted in unforgettable limited-time offers like Spicy Monster Tacos, Witch Please Shake, and the Noggy or Nice Menu. Their latest offering? SOUR PATCH KIDS Watermelon drinks!
9. Shake Shack
Shack Shack is another chain that frequently experiments with seasonal ingredients and unique flavor combinations. Of course, crafting refreshing shakes are one of the things they do best. Some of the most crave-worthy ones they had were OREO Cookie Funnel Cake Shake and Campfire S’mores Shake. The chain also likes to put their own spin on classic comfort food as seen on their latest drop, the Summer BBQ Menu 2025.
8. Dunkin’
Dunkin’s commitment to creativity shines through their seasonal and themed menus, overall flavor innovation, and pop culture tie-ins. Some of their notable LTOs include S’mores Cold Brew, Breakfast Empanada, and Sabrina’s Brown Sugar Shakin’ Espresso (a collaboration with pop star Sabrina Carpenter). Dunkin’s ever-evolving menu also includes wallet-friendly meal deals and vitamin-infused tropical refreshers.
7. Sonic
Sonic has earned a reputation for launching limited-time offers that are playful and crave-worthy, although they have been a bit more focused on drinks in the past year. In 2024, they had the Buttery Brew Barq’s Root Beer, which fans compared to Harry Potter’s Butterbeer. In 2025, Sonic let out the whimsy with the Unicorn Dreams Slush, along with collectible unicorn horn straws that glitter and change in colors!
6. Arby’s
Arby’s likes to stand out by dropping bold menu innovations (looking at you, steak nuggets) and engaging marketing stunts. In 2018, the brand created a buzzworthy moment when it offered free, permanent Arby’s-themed tattoos, under the “sandwiches for life” promotion. They also created a 13-hour brisket commercial to highlight the slow-cooked preparation for their meats.
5. KFC
KFC is a big name in creative menu offerings and marketing strategies. Let’s talk about food first. Strawberry & Crème Pie Poppers? Cheetos Chicken Sandwich? Double Down? These items didn’t fail to surprise and delight. And there were also unconventional marketing stunts. KFC made waves and splashed around with quirky items like the edible nail polish, which we think was finger lickin’ good!
4. Burger King
Burger King knows the game of blending entertainment and dining very well. Often, the chain drops limited-time offerings in collaboration with films and fictional characters. Think The Addams Family Menu and The How to Train Your Dragon-inspired menu. BK also knows how to engage audience by hosting large-scale, innovative events like the Million Dollar Whopper Contest.
3. McDonald’s
McDonald’s is hard to beat when it comes to pop culture collaborations. Travis Scott and BTS are just some of the world-famous artists that McDonald’s partnered with, and both have resulted in merch sellouts. McDonald’s also brought interactive digital experiences through Pokémon, Minecraft Movie, and Squishmallows Happy Meals. And of course, let’s not forget the $5 meal deals—an example of creative value engineering.
2. Wendy’s
Wendy’s also appeal to budget-conscious consumers and adventurous eaters. The 12 Days of Deals (2024), 2 for $7 Deal (2025) and Frosty Key Tag show the brand’s dedication to affordability. And speaking of Frosty, Wendy’s just dropped the Frosty Swirls and Frosty Fusions, after many years of offering only two core flavors. This is Wendy’s way of going out of the comfort zone and taking an experimental turn.
1. Taco Bell
Taco Bell’s novel offerings like Mike’s Hot Honey Diablo Sauce, Cantina Chicken Menu, and Luxe Cravings Boxes are clear-cut examples of how the brand seamlessly combines creativity and affordability. Also behind Taco Bell’s inventiveness is their Purple Kitchen (test kitchen), where the magic happens. At the 2025 Live Más Live event, the brand unveiled 14 experimental items for this year alone!