News: McDonald's Dropping Chicken Selects and Fruit & Walnut Salad

McDonald's is dropping Chicken Selects and the Fruit & Walnut Salad from their menu, according to this report by Reuters. Angus Third Pounders are also under consideration for the chopping block.

The move comes as the chain faces stiff competition from its top rivals, Burger King and Wendy's, as well as from the fast casual sector (Chipotle, Panera, etc.).

News: Ruffles Brings Back Beer-Battered Onion Ring Flavored Chips

Frito Lay brings back Ruffles Beer-Battered Onion Ring-flavored potato chips for a limited time, but under their Ruffles Max (stylized as "MAX") label (for "flavors inspired by real-foods guys love with the maximum taste guys want").

The flavor was first introduced in late 2011, but in limited distribution. This time around, Ruffles Max Beer Battered Onion Rings are available nationwide.

Around the World: Could Egg be McDonald's Next Value Play?

McDonald's has long struggled to offer two beef patties on their value menu (going from the Double Cheeseburger to the McDouble and now offering the Daily Double for better margins).

Now, with rising beef prices, it looks like a possible solution is eggs.

Out in Malaysia, McDonald's has started offering egg as a beef patty substitute on their value menu with the new Beef & Egg and McEgg Deluxe.

Frozen Friday: Lean Cuisine - Asian-Style Chicken Salad Additions

Lean Cuisine's Asian-Style Chicken Salad Additions is a frozen half-meal that you have to supply your own lettuce to complete. The package provides a sesame ginger vinaigrette, a microwaveable package of grilled chicken, edamame, pineapple, broccoli, and yellow and orange carrots, and a packet of crispy noodles.

A 7.25-ounce box goes for $3.99, which means you're looking at a sale price range of $2 to $3.

News: Dairy Queen - March 2013 Blizzard of the Month

Dairy Queen's March 2013 Blizzard of the Month is suitably green for St. Patty's Day: the Mint Oreo Blizzard.

The flavor features Oreo cookie pieces blended with cool mint syrup and vanilla soft serve. Mint Oreo is also the featured Blizzard Cake of the Month.

News: Krispy Kreme - New White Chocolate Mocha and Hot Chocolate

Krispy Kreme now offers a White Chocolate Mocha and White Hot Chocolate for a limited time through April 21, 2013.

The new drinks are made using Ghiradelli's White Chocolate Sauce and are available at participating locations (although probably not in southern California, where Krispy Kreme shops tend to have a mini The Coffee Bean inside).

News: Subway - New $3 Six-Inch Select Subs

Subway is changing it up a bit this month. Instead of a Featured $5 Footlong, for March, Subway is offering a new $3 Six-Inch Select Sub and a Featured $6 Footlong Special in addition to a regular selection of $5 Footlong Subs.

Review: Burger King - New Smooth Roast Coffee

Burger King is offering their new Smooth Roast Coffee at 25 cents for a small cup for a limited time, so I popped in one morning to see if it was any good. The new coffee blend is custom-made for Burger King and features arabica coffee beans sourced from Latin America.

It's normally $1 for a small 12-ounce cup.

Around the World: Starbucks Japan - Sakura Season Menu

In an annual event similar to the Pumpkin Spice Latte here in the U.S., Sakura (meaning "cherry blossom") season is upon Starbucks Japan! Sakura season is when the cherry blossoms bloom in Japan (typically ranging from March to April) and droves of people in Japan stake out a spot at the park to view them (and picnic; drinking is usually involved).

News: Arby's Challenges Cities to Change Name to "Reubenville" Plus BOGO Offer

In a bit of a marketing stunt to promote their Classic Reuben sandwich, Arby's is issuing what they're calling the "Reubenville Challenge" to cities across the US. The challenge calls upon cities to rename themselves "Reubenville" for the month of March. The first city to do so will enjoy free Arby's Reuben sandwiches.

Review: Krispy Kreme - Oreo Donut Review

Krispy Kreme's Oreo Donut (or Cookies and Kreme Donut) is a yeast donut filled with Oreo-flavored creme, topped with dark chocolate icing and crushed Oreo pieces.

I picked one up for $1.19.

Around the World: Domino's India Offers the Cheesy Boloroni Pizza

Domino's India's latest crust option is the new Cheesy Boloroni Pizza, "boloroni" being a portmanteau of "bolognese" and "macaroni." Yes, it's a pizza with macaroni and a vegetarian bolognese sauce (I'm super curious as to what they put in a meatless version of a meat-based sauce...).