Limited-time offerUntil Jan 5$5.00
7-Eleven · bibigo Spicy Chicken Dumplings
Bite-sized dumplings made with chicken, green onion, glass noodles, cabbage and soy sauce, sold as a 10-piece order.
Every spicy menu item, by chain and by year
Which US restaurant chains put spicy on the menu, when each launch ran, and who got there first.
Key data
MenuLaunches has tracked 72 spicy menu launches across 26 US restaurant chains between 2026 and 2026, peaking in 2026-09. The chains that use it most are 7-Eleven, Zaxby's, Taco Bell, Whataburger.
- Launches
- 72
- Chains
- 26
- Years covered
- 2026–2026
- Peak month
- 2026-09
Launches by month
When chains actually put this on the menu.
- 126-04
- 626-08
- 3526-09
- 3026-10
Who launched spicy first in 2026
Ordered by announce date.
| # | Chain | Item | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A&W Restaurants | Jalapeño Queso Bacon Double Cheeseburger | April 1, 2026 |
| 2 | KFC | Hot Ranch Loaded Wedges | August 24, 2026 |
| 3 | KFC | Double Crispy Hot Wings | August 24, 2026 |
| 4 | KFC | Hot Ranch | August 24, 2026 |
| 5 | McDonald's | Mighty Hot Sauce | August 30, 2026 |
| 6 | McDonald's | Spicy Chicken McNuggets | August 30, 2026 |
| 7 | Olive Garden | Spicy Alfredo Sauce | August 31, 2026 |
| 8 | Olive Garden | Spicy Alfredo | September 4, 2026 |
| 9 | Denny's | Spicy All-American Slamwich | September 4, 2026 |
| 10 | Subway | Hot Honey Turkey Italiano | September 9, 2026 |
All launches
Limited-time offerUntil Jan 5
7-Eleven · K Town Chicken Salad Sando
A chilled sandwich featuring chicken with gochujang, crispy celery, toasted sesame oil and parmesan cheese on fire & milk marble bread.
SeasonalUntil Jan 18
Zaxby's · Honey Chipotle Sauce
A sauce made with honey, brown sugar, red chili and chipotle peppers, intended for pairing with Zaxbys Chicken Fingerz and Wings.
Test marketWhile supplies last
Taco Bell · Baja Slaw
A crunchy and spicy slaw made with purple cabbage, cilantro, and a poblano-based Baja-style dressing, topped with shredded cheddar and pico de gallo.
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.
New permanentPermanent
Red Robin · Lemon Pepper Buzz Wings
A chicken wing flavor that adds Red Robin's Buffalo-style sauce to the Lemon Pepper seasoning for a spicier, tangier kick.
New permanentPermanent$5.99
Taco Bell · Double Dipping Burritos
A snack-sized set of two burritos featuring grilled, marinated steak or slow-roasted chicken layered with avocado ranch, a melted blend of cheeses, wrapped in a warm flour tortilla and grilled, served with a split dipping cup of spicy ranch and seasoned crushed tortilla chips with cheddar cheese cri
New permanentPermanent
Chick-fil-A · Spicy Chick-fil-A Sauce
A spicier version of Chick-fil-A's classic dipping sauce with mustard notes and smoky tang, balanced by sweetness and infused with spicy peppers. Available in standard dipping cups and 8-oz bottles.
New permanentPermanent
Red Robin · Lemon Pepper Buzz Chicken Wings
Lemon pepper chicken wings with Red Robin's signature Buffalo-style sauce added for a tangy, spicy finish.
New permanentPermanent$12.90
Noodles & Company · Spicy Korean Steak Ramen Noodles
A ramen twist on the longtime guest favorite Spicy Korean Steak Noodles, pairing ramen noodles with marinated steak, napa cabbage, red cabbage, and spinach in a sweet and spicy Korean-style gochujang barbecue sauce, topped with cucumber, scallions, and cilantro.
ReturningWhile supplies last$9.99
Red Robin · Burnin' Love Burger
A burger with fried jalapeño coins, salsa, pepper jack cheese, 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.
New permanentPermanent
Red Robin · Lemon Pepper Wings
Chicken wings with lemon pepper seasoning plus Red Robin's signature Buffalo-style sauce for a tangy, spicy finish.
ReturningWhile supplies last
Taco Bell · Firecracker Burrito
A burrito that comes with a sachet of Popping Spices which create a popping sensation similar to Pop Rocks when sprinkled on top and eaten.
New permanentPermanent
Pizza Hut · Malatang Pizza
A pizza that uses a sauce made with Sichuan peppercorns, five spice, and Sichuan and mala oils instead of traditional pizza sauce, topped with mozzarella, Gouda cheese, and chewy Korean glass noodles, inspired by the Chinese dish malatang. Vegetable and seafood versions include asparagus, corn, squi
ReturningWhile supplies last
Caribou Coffee · Spicy Mocha
A returning seasonal beverage combining ancho chile and cinnamon spices with real chocolate and milk, available hot, iced, blended, nitro or as an espresso shaker.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
Arby's · Spicy Angus Cheesesteak
A limited-time Angus beef cheesesteak sandwich featuring the same spicy glaze used on the Spicy Chicken Cheesesteak.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last$7.99
Arby's · Spicy Chicken Cheesesteak
Chicken Cheesesteak enhanced with a spicy glaze, featuring seasoned chicken and melty American Cooper Cheese on a toasted sesame roll.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
Chipotle Mexican Grill · Chili Lime Chips
Chips seasoned with a new light-shaking process, launched as an exclusive digital offering for a few days before wider rollout.
New permanentPermanent
7-Eleven · Chichurritos Fuego
Fire-flavored wheat snack, available in select regions at 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes stores.
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.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last$0.49
McDonald's · Mighty Hot Sauce
A sauce combining crushed red peppers, red jalapeños, cayenne, and garlic, designed to pair with Spicy Chicken McNuggets.
SeasonalWhile supplies last
Dave & Buster's · Summon the Fire Sauce
A seasoning blend combining buffalo spice and zesty chili lime, intended for wings or cheese sticks.
Seasonal4 days left
Dairy Queen · Chicken Strip Basket with Ghost Pepper Sauce
A four-piece chicken strip basket served with a smoky, spicy ghost pepper sauce, part of the Spellbound Series Halloween collection.
Test marketWhile supplies last$5.99
Taco Bell · Daredevil Double Dipping Burritos with Ghost Pepper sauce
Two snack-sized burritos filled with grilled steak or slow-roasted chicken, Avocado Ranch, and a three-cheese blend, served with a divided dipping cup of Ghost Pepper sauce and spicy cheesy crisps.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
McDonald's · McCrispy Gochujang Butter
A chicken sandwich featuring a Cajun-seasoned chicken thigh patty topped with Gochujang Butter Sauce and Colby Jack cheese.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
McDonald's · McSpicy Gochujang Butter
A chicken sandwich featuring a spicy chicken breast patty topped with Gochujang Butter Sauce.
Test marketWhile supplies last
Jimmy John's · Sweet-and-Spicy Pickle Bits
Large buckets of sweet-and-spicy pickle bits being tested at select Jimmy John's locations.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
Jimmy John's · Swicy Jimmy Pickle Bites
Thick-cut slices of Jimmy John's pickles in a new sweet-and-spicy brine, sold in a 48-ounce collectible bucket at select locations.
Limited-time offer12 days left
Buffalo Wild Wings · Vampire Hunter Wings
Boneless or bone-in wings tossed in Black Garlic Glaze and finished with a spicy garlic drizzle, part of a Halloween-themed menu.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
Del Taco · Cheetos Flamin' Hot collab
Del Taco has a collaboration menu item featuring Cheetos Flamin' Hot flavoring.
Limited-time offer4 days left$6.99
Dairy Queen · Ghost Pepper Sauce
A dipping sauce with spicy, smoky pepper heat, previously introduced with a Chicken Strip Basket and now part of the Halloween Spellbound Series lineup.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last$3.49
McDonald's · Spicy Chicken McNuggets
A spicy variant of McDonald's chicken nuggets, available for a limited time as of September 2026.
ReturningUntil Nov 29
Culver's · Jalapeño Cheese Curds
A spicy twist on Culver's classic Wisconsin Cheese Curds, made with real cheddar cheese and bits of jalapeño pepper.
Limited-time offerEnded Oct 6$0.20
Taco Bell · Duo Habanero Sauce
A limited-edition sauce packet created for the Taco Bell x Duolingo collaboration, combining a bright, tangy flavor with fruity habanero heat, featuring taco-related sayings printed in nine languages.
Test marketWhile supplies last$5.99
Taco Bell · Daredevil Double Dipping Burritos
Two snack-sized burritos filled with a choice of grilled steak or slow-roasted chicken, Avocado Ranch sauce, and a melted 3-cheese blend of mozzarella, pepper jack, and cheddar, served with a split dip cup of Ghost Pepper sauce and spicy, cheesy crisps.
Test marketWhile supplies last$6.99
Taco Bell · Steak & Potato Loaded Quesadilla
A version of the Steak & Potato Loaded Quesadilla made with pickled jalapeños added, featuring grilled marinated steak, cheddar cheese, Nacho Cheese Sauce, and Creamy Jalapeño Sauce with crispy potato bites in a grilled flour tortilla.
Test marketWhile supplies last$3.00
Taco Bell · Cheesy Poblano Double Beef Burrito
A value-priced burrito with a double portion of seasoned ground beef, seasoned rice, crunchy red tortilla strips, a new Cheesy Poblano Sauce, a 3-cheese blend of mozzarella, pepper jack, and cheddar, and reduced-fat sour cream, wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Test marketWhile supplies last$2.99
Taco Bell · Mini Fiesta Bowl
A small burrito bowl with rice, seasoned beef, nacho cheese, a three-cheese blend, Spicy Ranch Sauce, and Fiesta Strips, tested as part of the Luxe Value Menu refresh.
Test marketWhile supplies last$2.49
Taco Bell · Crunchwrap Dipper
A mini, dippable version of the Crunchwrap, made with a toasted tortilla filled with seasoned beef, shredded cheddar, Spicy Ranch Sauce, and Fiesta Strips, served with a side of hot nacho cheese for dipping.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last$5.49
Taco Bell · Gordita Crunch Duos
A snack-sized version of the Cheesy Gordita Crunch with a choice of steak or chicken, warm flatbread, a melted three-cheese blend, crispy white corn shell, creamy chipotle sauce, lettuce, and pico de gallo, sold two to an order.
ReturningWhile supplies last$2.69
Taco Bell · Crispy Chicken Crunchwrap Sliders
Returning smaller Crunchwrap-style item combining crispy chicken, tortilla chips, pico de gallo, and three-cheese blend wrapped in a flour tortilla, now served with a new Hidden Valley Diablo Ranch sauce.
Limited-time offerUntil Nov 18
Del Taco · Flamin' Hot Queso Beef Roller
Seasoned beef, Flamin' Hot flavored queso and fresh house-grated cheddar cheese rolled in a warm flour tortilla.
Limited-time offerUntil Nov 18
Del Taco · Flamin' Hot Queso & Chips
Signature creamy queso blanco seasoned with the flavor of Flamin' Hot, served with fresh, house-made tortilla chips.
Limited-time offerUntil Nov 18
Del Taco · Flamin' Hot Queso Crispy Chicken Burrito
Crispy chicken strips, Crinkle Cut fries, Flamin' Hot flavored queso, fresh house-grated cheddar cheese, and sour cream wrapped in a warm flour tortilla.
Limited-time offerUntil Nov 18
Del Taco · Flamin' Hot Queso Loaded Fries
Crinkle-cut fries topped with seasoned ground beef, Flamin' Hot-flavored Queso, grated cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and sliced jalapeños.
Limited-time offerUntil Nov 18
Del Taco · Epic Flamin' Hot Queso Grilled Chicken Burrito
Grilled marinated chicken, crinkle-cut fries, Flamin' Hot-flavored Queso, and grated cheddar cheese, wrapped in a warm, oversized flour tortilla.
Limited-time offerUntil Nov 18
Del Taco · Flamin' Hot Queso Loaded Nachos
House-made tortilla chips topped with seasoned ground beef, grilled marinated chicken, or carne asada steak, slow-cooked beans, Flamin' Hot-flavored Queso, sour cream, diced tomatoes, and sliced jalapeños.
Limited-time offerEnded Sep 21
KFC · Double Crispy Hot Wings
Bone-in wings that were brought back after a three-year absence from the menu, offered alongside sauces as part of a bucket promotion.
New permanentPermanent$1.50
KFC · Hot Ranch Big Dip
A spicy ranch dipping sauce collaboration with IShowSpeed, sold in a large portion size for dipping chicken, with a thin, saucy texture and mild warming heat.
Test marketWhile supplies last
Panda Express · Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken
Bite-sized boneless dark meat chicken coated in a light, crispy-fried breading, tossed in a dry spice blend of tamarind, tomato, garlic, and onion with crispy fried kale, served with Chili Crisp Aioli.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
Dairy Queen · Ghost Pepper Dip
A dipping sauce described as fiery, bold, smoky pepper heat, offered as part of the new MVP Dip Lineup for chicken strips.
Limited-time offerUntil Nov 16
Slim Chickens · Dr Pepper Blasted Tenders
Chicken tenders hand-breaded and fried, then hand-seasoned with a proprietary sweet-and-savory Dr Pepper dry rub inspired by Dr Pepper's blend of 23 flavors, at no additional cost.
Limited-time offerUntil Nov 16
Slim Chickens · Dr Pepper Blasted Wings
Hand-breaded chicken wings hand-seasoned with a proprietary sweet-and-savory Dr Pepper dry rub, offered at no additional cost.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last$13.99
Jimmy John's · Sweet & Spicy BBQ Brisket Sandwich
A sandwich on French bread with slow-smoked brisket, cheddar cheese, Sweet Baby Ray's Sweet 'n Spicy Barbecue Sauce, onions, Jimmy Peppers, lettuce, and mayo.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
Wingstop · Lemon Pepper Chili Crunch
Lemon Pepper dry rub finished with crispy Korean chili crunch for texture and heat, rated two flames out of five on the chain's heat scale.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
Wingstop · Lemon Pepper Chili Glaze
A citrusy glaze with sweet heat topped with crispy Korean chili crunch, rated three flames out of five on the chain's heat scale.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last$7.00
Slim Chickens · Honey Jalapeño Pimento Sandwich and Wrap
A limited-time chicken sandwich and wrap featuring breaded chicken breast, pimento cheese, honey, and pickled jalapeños on a brioche bun; the wrap version includes lettuce and shredded cheddar in a jalapeño-flavored tortilla.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
Slim Chickens · Hot Honey Ranch
A limited-time housemade ranch flavor featuring hot honey, part of Slim Chickens' monthly Ranch Remix program.
Limited-time offerEnded Oct 26
Subway · Doritos Hot Honey Nachos
Doritos Nacho Cheese chips topped with rotisserie-style chicken or shaved steak, Monterey cheddar, tomatoes, red onions, jalapenos, Baja Chipotle sauce, and Subway's Hot Honey.
Limited-time offerEnded Oct 26
Subway · Hot Honey Italian
Pepperoni, Genoa salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, red onion, jalapenos, and Hot Honey, toasted on Jalapeño Cheddar Bread.
Limited-time offerEnded Oct 26
Subway · Hot Honey Turkey Italiano
The Hot Honey Italian with the addition of oven-roasted turkey.
New permanentPermanent
Denny's · Spicy All-American Slamwich
A breakfast sandwich made with scrambled eggs, bacon, pickled jalapeños, American cheese, and hash browns on grilled sourdough bread.
New permanentUntil Nov 22
Olive Garden · Spicy Alfredo Sauce
A new spicy sauce option added to the Never-Ending Pasta Bowl's homemade sauce choices at Olive Garden.
ReturningWhile supplies last
McDonald's · Spicy Chicken McNuggets
McNuggets with a crispy coating seasoned with cayenne and chili pepper for extra heat, available in 6-, 10-, 20-, and 40-piece orders.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last
McDonald's · Mighty Hot Sauce
A new dipping sauce combining crushed red pepper and other chile with garlic and a bit of sweetness, launched alongside returning Spicy Chicken McNuggets.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last$1.99
KFC · Hot Ranch
A creamy, tangy ranch sauce with savory garlic-and-herb flavor and a kick of chili pepper, sold as a 4-oz Hot Ranch Big Dip and used in other menu items.
ReturningWhile supplies last
KFC · Double Crispy Hot Wings
Marinated wing segments, hand-breaded with Extra Crispy breading before frying.
Limited-time offerWhile supplies last$6.49
KFC · Hot Ranch Loaded Wedges
A large order of crispy potato wedges topped with six pickle slices and drizzled with Hot Ranch sauce.
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.