More Fast-Food Chains Adopt Fun, Flavored Drinks

Chick-fil-A’s Pineapple Dragonfruit Beverages: A New Era of Drink Innovation in Fast Food

Fast-food chains are going all in on fun beverages to attract younger consumers. Chick-fil-A, known for its straightforward menu of fried chicken and waffle fries, is selling seasonal Pineapple Dragonfruit drinks. Yum Brands’ Taco Bell installed a beverage concept called Live Mas Café inside one of its California locations. McDonald’s is in its second year of testing its drinks-focused spinoff, CosMc’s.

Restaurant operators are betting that drinks with exotic flavors, bright colors, and high caffeine and sugar counts will mean higher sales – and better margins. Fast-food chains are increasingly adding beverage options and widening the number of items within that segment. Refreshers and agua frescas are increasingly showing up on menus, while fast-food chains expand their specialty iced coffee, hot chocolate, and energy drink options, according to market research firm Datassential.

Fast-food chains’ recent focus on drinks mirrors the broader restaurant industry as the number of beverage-focused concepts climbs. More regional coffee shops are coming for Starbucks’ crown. Plus, consumers have embraced buying drinks beyond coffee, such as bubble tea and "dirty soda," the Utah trend of adding syrups, creamers, and juice to soda that has spread nationwide.

More and more full-scale establishments are basing their entire businesses on the growing segment. Beverage chains Swig, 7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee, and Gong Cha are among the 10 fastest-growing quick-service restaurant chains by sales, according to restaurant market research firm Technomic.

The trend also follows the decades-long decline in soda consumption since its peak in 2000.

"At the consumer moves away from the traditional soda, there’s an opportunity for operators and different brands to bring something signature to the table that is more in line with their brand in certain instances, but also an opportunity to potentially charge a little more," said Michael Parlapiano, managing director of the Culinary Edge, a consulting firm that has helped Noodles & Company, McDonald’s, and First Watch on menu offerings.

Attracting Gen Z

Restaurants are hoping hot chocolate and flavored lemonades can help build loyalty with Gen Z consumers.

Compared to previous generations, Gen Z is the most open to new flavors and comes from the most diverse backgrounds. Gen Z’s openness gives fast-food chains more latitude to explore more unusual offerings, such as butterfly pea or ube, according to Parlapiano. Monin, a French company best known for its flavored syrups, tapped yuzu, an East Asian citrus fruit, as its flavor of the year for 2025.

Traditionally, large fast-food chains are less likely to experiment with such audacious flavors, but even they have stepped outside of their comfort zones. For example, Wendy’s current lemonade lineup includes blueberry pomegranate and pineapple mango – two choices that have paid off for the burger giant.

"Our premium craft lemonades are also incredibly loved by our customers, and this product over-indexes with Hispanic consumers and Gen Z," Wendy’s U.S. Chief Marketing Officer Lindsay Radkoski said at a recent investor event.

Beyond the Soda Fountain

For some chains, beverages have taken center stage as an area for improvement – and future sales growth.

"We recognize that it’s not just about carbonated sodas anymore," El Pollo Loco CEO Liz Williams told CNBC. "So we did a deep dive in beverage innovation this year."

El Pollo Loco’s expanded drink offerings now include more flavors of its Aguas Frescas, which are fruit-infused waters. Future drink innovation could mean following the mashup trend, such as selling horchata coffee, Williams said.

Wendy’s also wants more of its customers to order drinks. Roughly 30% of Wendy’s customers do not add a beverage to their order, according to a recent investor presentation.

"This is an opportunity for growth when these are highly profitable," Wendy’s U.S. President Abigail Pringle told analysts.

In many cases, beverages generate higher profits and are easier to add to menus than a new food item. While a customer sees a new flavor, for the workers making the drinks, it’s just swapping out a syrup flavor or adding a new drizzle on top. With just a little more labor, restaurants can charge a lot more. Plus, syrups also usually have longer expiration dates than food items and are easier to store, according to Datassential’s Conaghan.

Conclusion

The rise of drinks with unique flavors, colors, and sugar counts is a game-changer for the fast-food industry. As consumers increasingly seek out new and exciting beverages, restaurants are stepping up their game to meet the demand. From pineapple dragonfruit to mango lassi, the possibilities are endless. With the potential for higher profits and increased customer loyalty, it’s no wonder that drinks are becoming a key area of focus for many restaurants.

FAQs

Q: What are some examples of unique flavors that fast-food chains are offering?
A: Examples include butterfly pea, ube, yuzu, and horchata.

Q: Why are fast-food chains focusing on drinks?
A: Fast-food chains are focusing on drinks as a way to attract younger consumers and increase sales.

Q: What are some popular drink trends in the fast-food industry?
A: Popular drink trends include flavored lemonades, iced coffee, and energy drinks.

Q: Why are consumers seeking out new and exciting beverages?
A: Consumers are seeking out new and exciting beverages because they offer a way to mix up their routine and try something new.

Q: What are some benefits of focusing on drinks for restaurants?
A: Focusing on drinks can lead to higher profits and increased customer loyalty.