Longhorn Steakhouse’s Steak and Bourbon Ice Cream with a steak jerky garnish. | Photo courtesy of Longhorn Steakhouse Facebook.
Sometimes it seems that chain menus are a sea of sameness. Ranch dressing is everywhere. Ditto with chicken sandwiches, hot honey, mac ‘n cheese, and pumpkin spice lattes.
It’s understandable why chains would want to jump on Americans’ favorite foods and drinks to gain sales and traffic from the competition. But differentiating the menu can also win fans.
Every month, Technomic asks consumers to rate the limited-time offers they would most likely purchase, given just the name of the item and a description. Of those, they are then asked to single out the most unique. Starting with No. 10, these are the LTOs that rose to the top in Technomic’s latest survey, with 85% to 98% of respondents citing them as unique. Responses are rounded off to the nearest percentage point.
10. Poppin’ Candy Mountain Dew Baja Blast Freeze
Taco Bell’s Baja Blasts are already fan favorites, and the fast-food chain is continually launching line extensions. This one is infused with Pop Rocks candy, adding texture and sound to the product. TikTok has fueled the desire for sensory enhancements to eating and drinking experiences, and the Poppin’ Candy Mountain Dew Baja Blast Freeze delivers.
9. Witch’s Brew Crème Frappuccino
Starbucks’ LTO sounds like a Halloween drink, which is unique positioning for June, but maybe the chain is tapping into the Summerween trend on social media. Anyhow, this Frappuccino is a creamy orange beverage dotted with imaginary bat warts and lizard scales, a combo that spurred purchase and that 86% of consumers found unique.
8. Lemon Blueberry Mimosa
A drink that feels more summery is this brunch cocktail from Another Broken Egg. It’s a simple mix of blueberry syrup, lemon, and Wycliff California Champagne. Eighty-six percent of respondents found the Mimosa unique enough to rank it at No. 8.
7. Steak and Bourbon Ice Cream
Longhorn Steakhouse cross-utilizes ingredients from the savory side of the menu to create this dessert, which 86% of those surveyed considered unique. The description justifies that ranking: “With our exclusive signature char seasoning, Jim Beam bourbon caramel sauce and bits of steak, topped with bourbon caramel sauce, whipped cream and steak sprinkles.” A differentiated ice cream sundae, for sure, with a healthy shot of umami in addition to the bourbon shot.
6. Squash and Goat Cheese Frittata
This frittata from Le Pain Quotidian is a little more mainstream, but the ingredient combo is a bit out of the ordinary. “Sweet butternut squash, creamy goat cheese, and fresh chives are the starring ingredients in this season’s frittata, which is paired with chèvre dressing and a seasonal green salad,” reads the description; 87% of respondents singled it out as “unique.”
5. Pineapple Macadamia Coconut Scone
A scone packed with tropical flavors is appealing and different — especially for a convenience store chain. Even without more of a description, the name was enough to convince 87% of consumers to place this scone from Kwik Trip/Kwik Star in the “most unique” group.
4. Lobster Corn Dogs
Lobster spikes on menus in summer, showing up mostly in lobster rolls and seafood boils. But these corn dogs at Houlihan’s take lobster in a different direction. They feature a lobster tail battered and fried on a stick “just like a corn dog, only much fancier,” served with spicy beer mustard and green sriracha. They were classified as unique by 87% of respondents.
3. Caramel Apple Butter Latte
Casual-dining chain Olive Garden goes beyond the usual after-dinner coffee or espresso with this latte. It’s made with Lavazza espresso, caramel apple butter, and steamed milk, topped with a cinnamon sprinkle. A menu item unique enough to be selected by 88% of consumers.
2. Spiked Cucumber
California Pizza Kitchen gives this drink a simple name but a more detailed description. The cocktail features vodka, rum or gin hand-shaken with freshly pureed pineapple and cucumber, Monin Cucumber, torn mint, and agave sour topped with sparkling water. Eighty-nine percent of those surveyed tagged it as “unique.”
1.Cap’n Crunch Shake
Landing in the No. 1 spot as “most unique” is a cereal-inspired milkshake from Ruby’s Diner. It’s a combination of “creamy vanilla ice cream blended with your favorite sweet and golden cereal, topped with whipped cream and a cherry on top.” Brand names seem to be powerful draws, as the top three items on the list all use branded ingredients in either the name or description.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.
