• by Teresa Buyikian , May 17, 2024

Summer is almost here, bringing refreshing drinks, smoothies and other light seasonal fare.

Locations

American Dairy Queen Corporation (ADQ) recently announced its new DQ Grill & Chill restaurant opened earlier this week in  Harrington, Delaware, owned and operated by the owners of Baker Petroleum.

Jeremiah's Italian Ice has opened its 150th location in Tucson, Arizona. The brand also announced it has plans to add more than 60 stores over the next 18 months.

Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe has expanded by opening its latest location in Owasso, Oklahoma. The new location serves the chain’s signature sandwiches, soups, salads and mac and cheese bowls.

Playa Bowls has signed of 14 new multiunit franchise commitments during the first quarter of 2024. The agreements will facilitate the opening of 63 new shops in Manhattan, Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix and Miami, among other prime markets.

Stoner's Pizza Joint announced that it will open its newest corporate-owned location in Clemson, South Carolina. The unit is expected to open by August and offer dine-in, take-out and late-night delivery.

Menus

Jamba has expanded its Watermelon lineup with two new limited-edition smoothies, in addition to bringing back the popular Watermelon Breeze Smoothie. Per the chain, the new Watermelon Tajin embraces the popularity of “swicy” (sweet+spicy), made with watermelon flavors, pineapple, strawberry and blended with Tajín Mild Hot Sauce. The Watermelon Lemonade Smoothie is the same sans the Tajín.

Schlotzsky’s has introduced an Italian Pesto Trio to its menus nationwide. The new sandwich is available in a Turkey Capri with turkey, pesto sauce, bacon, mozzarella, roasted red pepper, banana peppers, red onion and lite mayo. The Genoa Chicken has chicken, salami, mozzarella, parmesan, banana peppers, lettuce, red onion, tomato and pesto sauce. The Green Goddess has turkey, bacon, mozzarella, avocado, lettuce, pesto sauce and lite mayo. All are served on a sourdough bun.

Taco Bell has brought back its Cheesy Chicken Crispanada for a limited time, “in response to fan’s craving for more,” per the brand. The Crispanada contains of melted cheese and chicken with Mexican spices in a crispy pastry shell.