• by Teresa Buyikian , Yesterday

A “chef in residency” program isn’t the type of promo typically associated with QSRs, but one southern California burger chain is doing precisely that for a new limited-time menu.

This week Habit announced Habit & Co., a new chef in residency program that the brand says was “built to push fast casual into fresher, bolder territory.” The inaugural chef is restaurateur and TV personality Jet Tila, who is bringing a limited time Korean Street food menu to the 380-unit chain.

 “We're not just putting someone’s name on a menu item. We're inviting top-tier culturally relevant collaborators into our kitchen and giving them room to create,” said Jack Lettenmair, Habit’s director of brand marketing, in a release. “Jet is the perfect first resident because he brings real flavor, personality and a fresh point of view that feels completely at home at Habit.”

Los Angeles-native Tila is best known for his Thai and Korean cuisine and frequent appearances on The Food Network.

Tila’s Korean Street Menu, available through Sept. 15, includes Korean Fried Chicken Bites, double-breaded in a spice blend, then tossed in a sweet and spicy glaze and topped with everything-bagel seasoning. 

The Crispy Rice Korean Salad includes chargrilled chicken breast, romaine, cabbage slaw, egg, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, crispy rice and everything-bagel seasoning, served with sweet and spicy dressing.

The Sweet & Spicy Korean Char with Bacon and Onion Tanglers has a chargrilled beef patty topped with white American cheese, hickory-smoked bacon, crispy onion tanglers, green leaf lettuce, tomato, garlic aioli and sweet and spicy sauce on a toasted brioche bun.

After September, Habit & Co. will continue with additional yet-to-be-announced chef residencies and new collaborators, who will introduce their own limited time creations to the menu. The platform will run through January 2027.