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By Suzanne Blake
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SONIC is launching two brand menu items at its drive ins around the country, and they bring together flavors for the winter season.
Starting on October 20, with nationwide availability on November 3, customers can order the Peppermint Brownie Bark Shake as well as the Pretzel Bacon SONIC Smasher on the SONIC app.
Why It Matters
SONIC is joining several other restaurant chains that have added new menu items this fall, including Panda Express, Popeyes, Taco Bell, and Insomnia Cookies.
Read More on Food & Drink
New menu items often boost foot traffic and generate revenue. As consumers reel in their spending amid inflation, these new menu additions can be even more vital to keep sales up.
What To Know
The Pretzel Bacon Double SONIC Smasher combines the classic SONIC Smasher with melty American cheese, bacon, crunchy fried onions, and creamy mustard, all nestled in a soft, buttery pretzel bun.
Guests will also be able to upgrade for a Pretzel Bacon Triple SONIC Smasher. The Double Smasher is available starting at $7.39, while the Triple is priced at $8.39.
The Peppermint Brownie Bark Shake offers customers a decadent blend of creamy vanilla soft serve with chocolate chunk brownie pieces and a sprinkle of cool, crushed peppermints. It’s then topped with whipped topping, a cherry and more crushed peppermints. The shake starts at $5.39 for a medium.
“At SONIC, we’re tapping into two powerhouse seasonal flavor trends, pretzel and peppermint, just as guests are craving comfort and nostalgia. The Pretzel Bacon SONIC Smasher builds on our momentum in the premium burger space, pairing a soft, salty pretzel bun with our signature hand-smashed patty and melty cheese for something that feels both familiar and craveable,” a spokesperson for the SONIC marketing team told Newsweek.
The spokesperson added: “Meanwhile, peppermint has become synonymous with the holidays, so our Peppermint Brownie Bark Shake is bound to spark excitement, offering a rich, dessert-like indulgence that’s sure to become a seasonal favorite. Both of these limited-time offerings deliver the perfect balance of comfort and seasonal novelty people look for this time of year, giving guests a reason to visit while reinforcing SONIC as a destination for fun, indulgent and shareable experiences.”
Guests can order these new limited-time items as well as the new Bourbon Caramel Iced Coffee exclusively through the SONIC app.
The fast-food chain is also revamping its $1.99 Menu starting October 20.
The updated $1.99 Menu includes:
- Creamy Mustard Chicken Tender Wrap
- Cheesy Baja Crispy Tender Wrap
- Jr. Double Cheeseburger
- Medium Cherry Flavor Bubble Slush
- Medium Green Apple Flavor Bubble Slush
- Salted Caramel Toffee Croissant Bites
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What People Are Saying
Barb Williams, vice president of Category Management at SONIC, said in a statement: “At SONIC, we know the ultimate crave season doesn’t stick to one flavor or one moment. This year, our Peppermint Brownie Bark Shake and Pretzel Bacon SONIC Smasher bring a perfect mix of festive indulgence and crave-worthy comfort. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet, savory, or both, we’re making it easy for everyone to enjoy a little more flavor and fun this season.”
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “SONIC is the latest fast food chain jumping on the new item introduction craze that has been rapidly spreading throughout the industry in recent months. Many retailers have struggled to generate as strong of sales as they did just a few years ago, mainly because cash-strapped customers are favoring eating at home to save cash.”
What Happens Next?
With the new menu items incorporating seasonal holiday flavors, it’s likely to boost sales in the short term, Beene said.
“With new additions—especially those holiday-themed like the Peppermint Brownie Bark Shake—SONIC is hoping to drum up interest and produce increased sales to follow,” he said.
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