SeasonalWhile supplies last
Sonic Drive-In · Smoked Gouda and Bacon Sonic Smasher
A burger made with hand-smashed Angus patties topped with smoked gouda, crispy bacon, and black pepper aioli, available in double or triple versions.
Every bacon menu item, by chain and by year
Which US restaurant chains put bacon on the menu, when each launch ran, and who got there first.
Key data
MenuLaunches has tracked 58 bacon menu launches across 28 US restaurant chains between 2026 and 2026, peaking in 2026-10. The chains that use it most are Sonic Drive-In, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Arby's, Culver's.
- Launches
- 58
- Chains
- 28
- Years covered
- 2026–2026
- Peak month
- 2026-10
Launches by month
When chains actually put this on the menu.
- 126-04
- 426-08
- 2526-09
- 2826-10
Who launched bacon first in 2026
Ordered by announce date.
| # | Chain | Item | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A&W Restaurants | Jalapeño Queso Bacon Double Cheeseburger | April 1, 2026 |
| 2 | Chick-fil-A | Chicken and Waffles Sandwich | August 25, 2026 |
| 3 | Starbucks | Chicken Bacon Protein Pocket | August 26, 2026 |
| 4 | Whataburger | Bacon & Cheese Whataburger Jr. | August 27, 2026 |
| 5 | White Castle | Garage Beer Cheese Sausage Slider | August 31, 2026 |
| 6 | Panera Bread | Rustic Baked Potato Soup | September 1, 2026 |
| 7 | Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers | Maple Pecan Concrete | September 4, 2026 |
| 8 | Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers | Bacon Loaded Tots | September 4, 2026 |
| 9 | Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers | Smoky Bacon Steakburger Taco | September 4, 2026 |
| 10 | Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers | Smoky Bacon Cheddar Stack | September 4, 2026 |
All launches
ReturningWhile supplies last$6.29
Arby's · Deep Fried Turkey Club
A sub sandwich with a quarter pound of sliced deep-fried turkey, mayonnaise, tomato, lettuce, cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon on a toasted sub bun.
SeasonalWhile supplies last
Friendly's · Snowfall Burger
Big Beef Burger with white American cheese, Alfredo sauce and hardwood-smoked bacon on a Parmesan-dusted pretzel bun, served with golden fries.
SeasonalWhile supplies last
Friendly's · Fireside Melt
White American cheese and Tillamook sharp yellow cheddar with grilled chicken, hardwood-smoked bacon, tomatoes and garlic aioli on grilled sourdough, paired with golden fries.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last$7.99
Whataburger · Bacon Blaze Chicken
A chicken sandwich with the Bacon Blaze flavor kick, with a choice of grilled or Whatachick'n chicken on a toasted potato bun.
ReturningWhile supplies last$9.99
Whataburger · Bacon Blaze Jalapeño Double
A burger with two fresh 100% beef patties, Jalapeño Ranch, jalapeño cream cheese, smoky bacon, sliced jalapeños and aged cheddar cheese. Also available in a Jr. size.
SeasonalWhile supplies last
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store · Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes
Fluffy buttermilk pancakes swirled with cinnamon filling and drizzled with sweet cream cheese icing, served with two eggs and a choice of thick-sliced bacon or smoked sausage.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last$5.99
Denny's · Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Empanada
An empanada filled with bacon, scrambled eggs, melted cheddar, peppers, and onions, served with salsa for dipping. Created exclusively for Denny's as part of a collaboration with Toma Empanadas.
Test marketWhile supplies last$8.99
Arby's · Sweet 'n Golden Triple Stacker
A sandwich with roasted chicken, thin-sliced ham, bacon, cheddar cheese, red onion, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, and Golden BBQ sauce on Stacker Bread.
Test marketWhile supplies last$8.39
Arby's · Turkey Ranch & Bacon Stacker
A sandwich on mozzarella-topped Stacker Bread with roasted turkey, bacon, cheddar cheese, red onion, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and Mediterranean Ranch, replacing the existing Turkey Ranch & Bacon Sandwich at test locations.
Test marketWhile supplies last$8.99
Arby's · Three Cheese Beef & Bacon Stacker
A sandwich with thin-sliced roast beef, cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, and Cooper Sharp American Cheese, bacon, crispy-fried onion strings, red onion, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and garlic aioli on Stacker Bread.
New permanentPermanent$9.95
Noodles & Company · Gochujang Carbonara Ramen Noodles
Ramen dressed in a gochujang Parmesan carbonara sauce made with Korean chile-bean paste, bacon, napa and red cabbage, topped with grated Parmesan cheese, an Asian spice blend, and parsley.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
Red Robin · Prime Rib Stack Burger
A burger with a hand-pressed beef patty topped with sliced prime rib, Monterey Jack cheese, caramelized onions, and garlic aioli, on a black-and-white sesame seed brioche bun, served with a bottomless side.
ReturningWhile supplies last$9.99
Red Robin · Bleu Ribbon Burger
A burger with HEINZ 57 Sauce, bleu cheese crumbles, crispy onion straws, lettuce, tomato and green chili aioli on a brioche bun, served with a bottomless side and bottomless beverage as part of the Big YUMMM Deals menu.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last$6.99
Checkers & Rally's · Cheesy '80s Bacon Buford
An anniversary burger featuring two hand-seasoned beef patties, two bacon strips, a mix of American, Swiss, and melted beer cheeses, and ketchup.
ReturningWhile supplies last$6.59
Whataburger · Bacon Wrangler Double
A burger with a large toasted bun and two burger patties, Monterey Jack and American cheeses, three slices of crispy bacon, fried onion strings, pickles, and smoky Chipotle Aioli Sauce.
New permanentPermanent
Whataburger · Bacon Wrangler Chicken
A chicken version of the Bacon Wrangler burger, available with a classic Whatachick'n, Spicy Chicken, or Grilled Chicken filet.
ReturningWhile supplies last$8.79
Wendy's · Pretzel Bacon Pub Cheeseburger
A burger featuring fresh, never-frozen beef, a pretzel bun, muenster and beer cheese, applewood smoked bacon, crispy onions, pickles, and smoky honey mustard sauce.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last$8.29
Sonic Drive-In · All-American Bacon Triple Sonic Smasher
A burger with three Angus beef patties cooked smash burger style, three slices of American cheese, bacon, pickles, onions, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, and mayonnaise on a potato bun.
Limited-time offer6 days left$10.39
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers · Smoky Bacon Cheddar Stack
Two steakburger patties topped with melty sharp cheddar cheese, four slices of applewood bacon, caramelized onions, and Smoky Fry Sauce on a King's Hawaiian bun toasted in butter.
New permanentPermanent$9.00
Twin Peaks · Hottie Flatbread
A $9 flatbread topped with smoked chicken, Billionaire's Bacon, fresh jalapenos, mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, white sauce, parsley, crushed red pepper, and ranch, part of Twin Peaks' new late-night menu.
DiscontinuedDiscontinued
McDonald's · Honey Brown Butter BEC Biscuit
A biscuit sandwich with a folded plain omelet, American cheese, bacon, and a brown butter honey sauce drizzle.
DiscontinuedDiscontinued
McDonald's · Big Arch
A large burger with two quarter-pound beef patties, white cheddar, crispy and raw onions, lettuce, pickles, and a distinct sauce on a sesame-and-poppy-seed bun.
Test marketWhile supplies last
Burger King · Bacon Cheddar Hash Whopper
A breakfast-themed Whopper variant featuring hollandaise sauce, hash browns, bacon, egg, and cheddar cheese sauce, currently being tested in select markets.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
Hardee's · Frisco Breakfast Burger
A limited-time breakfast burger with a charbroiled Angus beef patty, a cracked egg, cherrywood-smoked bacon, American cheese, and crispy hash rounds on toasted sourdough bread, available in specific markets.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last$9.19
Burger King · Game Day Pretzel Burger
A flame-grilled quarter-pound beef patty with melted American cheese, bacon, crispy-fried onions, and Nacho Cheese Sauce, served on a Superpretzel Soft Pretzel Bun.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
Smashburger · York Pastrami Smash
A burger made with Certified Angus Beef, stacked with smoked black pastrami, Swiss cheese, freshly-grilled onions, dill pickles, mustard, and mayo on a butter-toasted Parker House roll.
New permanentPermanent
Smashburger · Grilled Chicken Avocado Club
A grilled chicken sandwich with all-natural, seasoned, marinated chicken filet, American cheese, applewood-smoked bacon, fresh-sliced avocado, lettuce, tomato, and ranch dressing on a butter-toasted bun.
Returning11 days left$10.99
Papa Johns · Works
A specialty pizza topped with pepperoni, julienne-cut Canadian bacon, spicy Italian sausage, onions, green peppers, mushrooms and black olives on fresh, never frozen original dough with mozzarella cheese.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
First Watch · Bacon of Betrayal
A bacon-based breakfast item offered as part of First Watch's limited-time collaboration with The Traitors: New Blood, part of a Traitors-inspired menu.
ReturningWhile supplies last
Burger King · Texas Whopper
A smaller version of the flame-grilled beef patty burger topped with bacon, American cheese, jalapeños, mustard, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, and onion, part of the Texas Whopper lineup expanded to all US locations.
ReturningWhile supplies last
Burger King · Texas Double Whopper
A double flame-grilled beef patty burger topped with bacon, American cheese, jalapeños, mustard, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, and onion, part of the Texas Whopper lineup expanded to all US locations.
New permanentPermanent
Hardee's · Bacon Beast Burger
A quarter-pound Angus beef burger with four full slices of cherrywood-smoked bacon, melted American cheese, lettuce, tomato, sliced onions, dill pickles, ketchup, and mayo on a buttery brioche-style bun.
ReturningWhile supplies last
Sweetgreen · Fall Harvest Menu
Seasonal fall menu featuring maple-glazed brussels sprouts topped with crumbled bacon and charred jalapeno ranch, alongside the Harvest Bowl.
New permanentPermanent
Hardee's · Super Bacon Biscuit
Three full slices of cherrywood-smoked bacon, egg, and two slices of melted American cheese, served in a Made from Scratch Biscuit.
New permanentPermanent
Hardee's · Bacon Beast Homestyle Breakfast Burrito
Four slices of cherrywood-smoked bacon, fluffy eggs, Hash Rounds, shredded cheddar, and melted American cheese, wrapped in a warm flour tortilla, with a packet of Texas Pete hot sauce on the side.
New permanentPermanent
Hardee's · Bacon Beast
A 100% Angus beef burger stacked with four full slices of cherrywood smoked bacon on a buttery brioche style bun.
New permanentPermanent
Hardee's · Bacon Beast Chicken Sandwich
A hand-breaded, white-meat chicken breast filet with four slices of smoked bacon, tomato, lettuce, and mayo, served on a buttered brioche-style bun.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
Applebee's · Bacon Cheeseburger Wonton Tacos
An appetizer option on Applebee's 2 for $25 menu combining bacon cheeseburger flavors in a wonton taco format.
Limited-time offerEnded Oct 27$5.99
Carl's Jr. · Angus Maximus
A third-pound burger with two charbroiled 100% Angus beef patties, seasoned with Carl's Jr.'s special blend, melted American cheese, sliced onion, pickles and special sauce, served on a toasted buttered brioche bun.
New permanentPermanent$15.49
Twin Peaks · Smoked Bone-In Pork Chop
A thick-cut pork chop smoked with carnitas rub, served with garlic mashed potatoes, sautéed green beans with bacon, and chimichurri on the side.
SeasonalWhile supplies last
Sweetgreen · Roasted Bacon Brussels
A new seasonal side made with maple glazed Brussels sprouts with or without crumbled bacon and charred jalapeño ranch.
New permanentPermanent
Applebee's · O-M-Cheese-adilla Burger
A burger topped with bacon and pepper Jack cheese in a quesadilla instead of a bun, served in a skillet of melted cheddar cheeses and queso with tortilla chips topped with more queso, pico, and cilantro.
Limited-time offer6 days left
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers · Smoky Bacon Cheddar Stack
A burger with two patties, sharp cheddar, four slices of bacon, and grilled onions with Smoky Fry Sauce.
Limited-time offer6 days left
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers · Smoky Bacon Steakburger Taco
A taco with bacon-flavored steakburger wrapped in a grilled flour tortilla.
Limited-time offer6 days left
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers · Bacon Loaded Tots
Tots covered in cheese sauce, cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, and topped with bacon.
Limited-time offer6 days left
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers · Maple Pecan Concrete
A frozen custard treat with the option of blending bacon into the mix and topping it with crumbled bacon.
Limited-time offer4 days left
White Castle · Garage Beer Cheese Sausage Slider
A mini-smoked sausage link and Garage Beer Cheese with caramelized onions, served on a slider bun.
New permanentPermanent$4.00
Whataburger · Bacon & Cheese Whataburger Jr.
A small beef patty with American cheese, bacon, tomato, lettuce, pickles, diced onions, and mustard on a toasted bun.
New permanentPermanent
Starbucks · Chicken Bacon Protein Pocket
Chicken, bacon, and creamy garlic herb cheese spread wrapped in toasted whole wheat lavash flatbread, containing 20 grams of protein.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last$6.69
Chick-fil-A · Chicken and Waffles Sandwich
A crispy-fried chicken filet with three pieces of applewood-smoked bacon and honey butter spread, sandwiched between two warm, maple-flavored waffles, served with a side of syrup. Available in breakfast and entree sizes, with grilled or spicy filet options.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
A&W Restaurants · Jalapeño Queso Bacon Double Cheeseburger
Two beef patties, American cheese, bacon, jalapeños, and a warm, spicy queso sauce.