Over the last few years, many fast-food chains have prioritized innovation by constantly developing and launching new menu items. This allows them to differentiate themselves from the competition, stay relevant in the current culture, and compete with other rivals.
Taco Bell was among the first fast food chains to center its growth strategy around innovation, launching multiple limited-time new menu items throughout the year. This business move has helped it prevail despite the tumultuous circumstances currently facing the food industry.
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Last June, Cheez-It partnered with Taco Bell to launch the Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme and the Big Cheez-It Tostada nationwide. This release marked the snack brand’s first fast-food collaboration.
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According to Taco Bell’s parent company, Yum! Brands (YUM,)  these limited-time partnership menu items were incredibly successful among customers. They gave both brands momentum and caused the fast food chain to grow same-store sales in its U.S. market by 5% during the second quarter of fiscal 2024.
Cheez-It Original flavor
Wendy’s joins the innovation trend to boost growth and relevance among consumers
Recently, Wendy’s ( (WEN) ) has joined the innovation trend by launching various new menu items that are eerily similar to those of its rivals and forming limited-time partnerships with other brands in an effort to boost growth and better position itself among the competition.
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“I’m excited about our upcoming innovation and collaborations that will build on our high-quality menu with fresh ingredients as we continue to elevate our customer focus, putting the customer at the center of everything we do,” said Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner. “Our relentless pursuit of excellence in our food and our restaurants will position Wendy’s for long-term success as we win across our global markets,” he added.
For its latest innovation, Wendy’s may have gotten inspired by Taco Bell and secretly closed a deal with one of its rival’s previous partners.
Wendy’s partners with Cheez-It to release a new snack
Loyalty is always important, especially in a partnership. Still, when it comes to business, money comes before all else if no exclusivity agreements are involved, which might be the case in this unexpected announcement.
Although Wendy’s has yet to make an official announcement, it was revealed that the fast food chain has joined forces with Kellanova’s (K) Cheez-It brand to launch a new Baconator-flavored snack.Â
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The fast food chain’s choice of the Baconator as the menu item for this partnership might seem odd since it offers other more iconic menu items, such as its Frosty, chicken nuggets, and hot and crispy French fries. However, Wendy’s landed on this flavor as it is among the top three most popular items on its menu and the second most popular burger after its Dave’s Double burger.Â
No official release date has been issued for the Wendy’s Baconator Cheez-It, but it is expected to become available this summer at grocery stores nationwide.Â
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As unexpected as this announcement may sound to some, this isn’t Wendy’s first snack partnership with one of Kellanova’s brands. In 2020, the fast food chain and the food manufacturer joined forces to launch Baconator-flavored Pringles and Spicy Chicken Sandwich Pringles the following year.
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