Over the course of the last two years, Wendy’s (WEN) -) has launched more Frosty flavors than it had in almost two decades.
The chain’s signature mix between a milkshake and ice cream only came in vanilla between 2006 and when the chain first opened out of Columbus, Ohio in 1969. While Wendy’s locations were later equipped to carry two flavors at a time and chocolate became a staple, anything beyond these two were a very rare sight. It was a big deal when, in the spring of 2022, Wendy’s temporarily took out vanilla to add a Strawberry Frosty to its menu.
Related: When Will Wendy's Strawberry Frosty Leave Its Menu (Welcome Back Vanilla)
New flavors followed fast and, in November 2022, Wendy’s swapped out the Strawberry Frosty with a holiday-themed addition to its menu. A dash of peppermint syrup in the regular vanilla mix made the new Peppermint Frosty an instant holiday favorite.
Wendy’s
Peppermint Frosty but make it cold brew, Wendy’s tells customers
John Li, who heads culinary innovation at Wendy’s, said that the chain was able to “sell the most Frosty treats we’ve ever sold during the winter time frame” and brought it back for round two in November 2023.
More Food + Dining:
- Taco Bell menu tries new take on an American classic
- McDonald's menu goes big, brings back fan favorites (with a catch)
- The 10 best food stocks to buy now
But alongside the cold treat, Wendy’s is now also selling the Peppermint Frosty Cream Cold Brew. The popular peppermint syrup is mixed into iced coffee with the vanilla creamer that also goes into the Frosty.
“With the holidays around the corner, it's the perfect time to introduce the all-new Peppermint Frosty Cream Cold Brew together with the return of Wendy's beloved Peppermint Frosty," Li said in a press statement. “Our fans consistently crave new, innovative Frosty flavors, so we embraced the flavor of the season with not one, but two sweet treats to savor throughout the holidays."
The chain sells the cold brew in vanilla, chocolate and caramel flavors throughout the year and will also have the peppermint flavor throughout November and December.
Look out for these holiday additions to fast food menus this year
While prices may vary slightly by location, a small Frosty Cream Cold Bew typically costs $1.99 while a large one goes for $3.49.
With Thanksgiving now past us, multiple chains have been leaning fully into the marketing of their holiday menus. As part of its Holiday Treats for 2023 lineup, Dunkin has a Toasted White Chocolate Signature Latte along with a Cookie Butter Cold Brew and a Peppermint Mocha Latte.
Starbucks (SBUX) -) brought back its signature red cups of Nov. 1 and has a new holiday-themed Oatmilk Chai drink alongside beloved seasonal favorites like the Peppermint Mocha, Crème Brûlée Latte and peppermint-flavored cake pop.
With many firmly associating the holidays with flavors such as peppermint and gingerbread, coffee companies in particular have ample marketing opportunity during these two months. The average holiday menu now drops two weeks earlier than it did a decade ago while new drinks can also be an opportunity to draw attention to old favorites during the holiday season.
“I don't think 'too soon' is a thing right now,” Nic Climer, the executive creative director of the RAPP marketing agency that develops seasonal products for various fast food chains, once told Morning Consult.
