Taco Bell is rolling out new Crunchwrap variations nationwide, and it’s not the only chain with something new this week. Del Taco, Krispy Kreme, and several smaller chains are testing new items, from energy drinks to pumpkin-spiced cocktails.
The update comes via Menu Tracker, a regular roundup of new menu items from fast-food chains. The report covers everything from coffee to chicken to doughnuts, with a focus on what’s new this week and where to find it.
Taco Bell’s Crunchwrap Variations
Taco Bell is doing more than its usual menu updates this month. The chain is putting more Crunchwrap variations on the menu nationwide. It’s also testing items in Cleveland, Nashville, Charlotte, and Houston, plus a Salt & Straw collab at its Live Más Café locations.
The report notes the Salt & Straw collab at those café locations.
Del Taco and the Cheetos Partner
Del Taco has a new partner: Cheetos Flamin’ Hot. The Cheetos brand is now on the menu at Del Taco locations, joining a growing list of fast-food collaborations that bring snack brands into the restaurant space.
Paris Baguette has a new partnership with Dancing with the Stars, and Round Table Pizza has a co-collaboration with The Dairy Alliance and Dr Pepper. Smalls Sliders has new Dr Pepper drinks, adding to the wave of drink-focused innovations this week.
The Drink Wave
Drinks are a major feature of this week’s menu tracker. La Madeleine has a new espresso program, and Chagee has new chamomile tea and Ceylon black tea. Grimaldi’s has new energy drinks, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has a caffeinated smoothie, Juice it Up! has non-caffeinated ones, and Robeks has a pumpkin one.
STK is going all in with a Pumpkin Espresso Martini and a Pumpkin Spice Margarita.
Jollibee’s Calamansi Lemonade
Jollibee is highlighting its Philippine heritage with calamansi lemonade. The drink ties into the chain’s cultural roots, and it’s a clear example of how a brand can use its history to stand out.
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has introduced its latest Halloween-themed options, and Chester’s Chicken has garlic-Parmesan chicken that might deter vampires, if they existed.
Cousins Subs and Krispy Kreme
Cousins Subs has new miniature wraps, and Krispy Kreme has miniature doughnuts. The doughnuts are a small size that the chain is calling “holes.”
Piada has a new mac & cheese line, Jet’s Pizza has cinnamon bread for charity, and Velvet Taco’s Weekly Taco Feature has chicken, coconut, and crispy peas.
How Chains Are Testing
The pattern across the report is consistent: chains are testing new items in specific markets before rolling them out nationally. Taco Bell’s tests in Cleveland, Nashville, Charlotte, and Houston are a good example of this approach. Chains use these tests to gauge customer response before committing to a full rollout.
The drink innovations are also part of the mix. Chains are adding caffeine, pumpkin spice, and other flavors to their menus. The espresso at La Madeleine and the energy drinks at Grimaldi’s are part of this push.
What the Report Says
The Menu Tracker is a straightforward roundup of what’s new on chain menus. It covers a wide range of brands, from large chains like Taco Bell and Del Taco to smaller independents like Chagee and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop.
The report notes that Top 500 chain restaurant sales slowed again in 2025 as consumers cut back on dining, but sectors like coffee, beverages and snacks and chicken thrived.
A Survey of New Items
The report lists a wide range of new items across the industry. Here’s a quick look at some of the highlights:
- Taco Bell: New Crunchwrap variations nationwide, Salt & Straw collab at Live Más Café
- Del Taco: Cheetos Flamin’ Hot partnership
- Jollibee: Calamansi lemonade
- STK: Pumpkin Espresso Martini and Pumpkin Spice Margarita
- Chagee: Chamomile tea and Ceylon black tea
- La Madeleine: New espresso program
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe: Caffeinated smoothie
- Robeks: Pumpkin drink
- Cousins Subs: New miniature wraps
- Krispy Kreme: Miniature doughnuts (“holes”)
Testing Locations
| Chain | Test Markets |
|---|---|
| Taco Bell | Cleveland, Nashville, Charlotte, Houston |
| Del Taco | Not specified in report |
| Round Table Pizza | Not specified in report |
| Smalls Sliders | Not specified in report |
| STK | Various tests in Cleveland, Nashville, Charlotte, Houston |
The report is a useful snapshot of what’s happening across the industry right now. It shows a sector that’s still moving, even as sales slow in some categories.
Source material: “Menu Tracker: New items from Taco Bell, Del Taco, and Krispy Kreme,” Nation's Restaurant News.
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