• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Retail

7 Fast Food Items That Need to Return in 2016

By
Michal Addady
Michal Addady
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Michal Addady
Michal Addady
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 2, 2016, 1:43 PM ET
Jamie Oliver And Victoria Government Announce Partnership To Tackle Obesity
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 06: Junk food sits on a table as British Celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver announces a partnership to attack state-wide obesity on March 6, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. The Victorian Government and the Good Foundation will pledge together over AUD5 million to bring Oliver's 'Ministry of Food' to the state to help teach cooking techniques and nutrition to participants and help combat obesity as part of the Victorian Healthy Eating Enterprise. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)Photograph by Scott Barbour—Getty Images

In 2016 we’ve already been introduced to McDonald’s mozzarella sticks, Burger King hot dogs, and Taco Bell’s Quesalupa. But no matter how many new things these chains add to their ever-growing menus, it won’t diminish the memory of what once was. Here are the discontinued fast food items we’re hoping will make a comeback this year.

KFC’s Popcorn Chicken

https://www.instagram.com/p/BA1LXGQvyWh/

 

These KFC classics have a long history—they were first introduced in 1992, reintroduced in 1998, re-reintroduced in 2001, and then spent 10 years on the chicken chain’s permanent menu. KFC supposedly “reintroduced” them last year as “Popcorn Nuggets,” but they’re just not the same.

 

Taco Bell Beefy Crunch Burrito

https://www.instagram.com/p/dP8Wj7MImu/

 

This is a beef burrito with rice, nacho cheese, sour cream, and Flamin’ Hot Fritos. It first became available in 2010 and was sadly short-lived, but even in that brief period of time it amassed a cult following and even inspired the Beefy Crunch Movement. Brand Eating reported last year that Taco Bell was testing its return, so here’s to hoping it makes it back to the menu permanently.

Burger King Ribs

10 年夏天 Burger King 曾短暫推出過一款 smoked ribs,超好吃。可惜從國內回來後就再也沒有了 pic.twitter.com/VTn6NPuWNz

— jtappler (@jtappler) March 3, 2013

 

When you crave ribs, I’d guess you don’t immediately think of fast food. But when Burger King offered ribs in the summer of 2010, they were so successful that the chain began running low a week before the limited time offer was supposed to end.

Wendy’s Chicken Caesar Pita

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQXUlyK-MV4

 

Wendy’s introduced its Chicken Caesar Pita in 1997 alongside three other pita variations. They lasted about three years, but it’s the chicken caesar that is still sorely missed. Though it doesn’t seem they’ll be making a comeback, hopefully you can be consoled by one of the various copycat recipes.

McDonald’s Chicken Selects

https://twitter.com/CONSTANTSALES/status/590588074800893952

 

Like KFC’s Popcorn Chicken, these were a pleasant alternative to regular old chicken nuggets. McDonald’s launched Chicken Selects in 2002 and left them on the menu for over a decade. Fans were excited by their return in March 2015, but had to experience the pain of loss all over again when they were swiftly removed.

Jack in the Box Brunch Burger

Jack in the Box has a winner in this new Brunch Burger. It's amazing. pic.twitter.com/HcunghZtt8

— Jordan Godwin (@JordanGodwin) October 16, 2013

 

This was offered as one of the chain’s four “Munchie Meals” in 2013 and was basically a breakfast sandwich with a burger patty. Weighing in at more than 1,700 calories, we probably don’t really need it. But damn if we don’t want it.

Burger King Bacon Sundae

https://www.instagram.com/p/MCHAJ7zdo2/

 

Fast food places don’t always do bacon well, but Burger King’s Bacon Sundae did bacon very well. It was offered for a limited time in 2012 as part of the chain’s summer menu. A Huffington Post review shows that it doesn’t look quite like the advertisement, but the bacon was surprisingly both crispy and plentiful.

About the Author
By Michal Addady
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Retail

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
Fortune Secondary Logo
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Retail

trump
LawTariffs
Yes, judge tells Trump: you have to refund all the companies that you charged with illegal tariffs
By Paul Wiseman, Mae Anderson and The Associated PressMarch 4, 2026
2 hours ago
RetailTarget
Target is over being ‘an everything store,’ CEO says. It’s doubling down on baby items and groceries—and investing $1 billion in its supply chain
By Molly Liebergall and Morning BrewMarch 4, 2026
3 hours ago
RetailE-commerce
Sea doubles annual earnings, yet profitability worries drag shares down in worst drop in 2 years
By Angelica AngMarch 4, 2026
16 hours ago
target
RetailRetail
Target sales, profits decline for another quarter, but shares rise on solid outlook
By Anne D'Innocenzio and The Associated PressMarch 3, 2026
1 day ago
HealthFood and drink
Chains like Sweetgreen and Chipotle are finally realizing they need to look beyond the ‘slop bowl’
By Phil WahbaFebruary 27, 2026
5 days ago
burger king
AIOpenAI
Burger King tests OpenAI-powered headsets that will track the friendliness of drive-through workers
By Dee-Ann Durbin and The Associated PressFebruary 27, 2026
5 days ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Health
Palantir and other tech companies are stocking offices with tobacco products to increase worker productivity
By Catherina GioinoMarch 4, 2026
17 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Cybersecurity
Cities join Amazon in cutting ties with license-plate reader Flock following Ring's Super Bowl ad—that Flock 'didn't have anything to do with'
By Catherina GioinoMarch 3, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
Interest on the $38.8 trillion national debt has tripled since 2020, and it already costs taxpayers more than defense and Medicaid
By Nick LichtenbergMarch 2, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Real Estate
Meet a burned out 28-year-old who pays $168 a month in China's faux Venice to retire early from her Shanghai finance gig
By Albee Zhang and The Associated PressMarch 2, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Personal Finance
Current price of gold as of March 3, 2026
By Danny BakstMarch 3, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Tech investor Bill Gurley says workers who went through the ‘college conveyor belt’ and chased safe jobs are at high risk of AI automation
By Emma BurleighMarch 3, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.