News: Dunkin' Donuts - New Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin

Dunkin' Donuts introduces a new Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin this month. It's a banana-flavored muffin interspersed with chocolate chips, topped with sanding sugar and chocolate icing drizzle.

The muffins go for around $1.49 each (may vary).

The chain also continues to offer new Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. The seasonal drink was introduced last month for those who desire a sweet and salty combo.

News: Pizza Hut - New, Revamped Hand-Tossed Pizza

Pizza Hut has gone back to the drawing board with their Hand-Tossed pizza and now offers a new version featuring a "lighter, airier crust topped with real cheese made from mozzarella and brushed with a garlic buttery flavor."*

Review: Einstein Bros. - Thintastic Bagels

Plain Bagel on the left, Everything Bagel on the right

Einstein Bros' new Thintastic Bagels are thinner, lower calorie versions of their regular bagels (i.e. they're bagel thins). They're available in Plain, Whole Wheat, and Everything (topped with a blend of poppy seeds, sesame seeds, onion, garlic, caraway seeds, and salt).

I tried the Everything Bagel with Cream Cheese, while The Woman tried the plain bagel with Garlic Herb Schmear. They're normally $2.65 each with Schmear (but were free because they were giving them away today to promote the new bagels).

News: Tropical Smoothie Cafe - New Coconut Curry Chicken Wrap and Coconut Lime Chicken Salad

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is going with a somewhat contrarian Hawaiian theme this winter with the introduction of the new Coconut Curry Chicken Wrap and Coconut Lime Chicken Salad.

News: Starbucks - Via Latte Taste Challenge Sampling Event

Starbucks wants you to try their new new instant Via Lattes and will be offering free sampling of the new instant coffee starting Thursday, January 16th through Sunday, 19th at participating Starbucks stores nationwide. The idea is to see if you can tell the difference from their handcrafted lattes.

Review: Corner Bakery Cafe - Avocado & Spinach Power Panini Thin

Corner Bakery's Avocado & Spinach Power Panini Thin features fresh avocado and spinach, scrambled eggs, and Parmesan and cheddar cheeses, on thinly-sliced whole grain harvest toast. Salsa is available on the side by request.

The sandwich came out to $3.49 (which is like dirt cheap for fast casual fare).

News: Bruegger's Bagels - Winter 2014 Menu

Bruegger's Bagels' 2014 winter menu is anchored by two new sandwiches: The Big Easy, featuring a taste of New Orleans, and the Turkey with a Twist, which offers a sweet, savory, bold, and mild taste profile. Both feature a new sriracha mustard inspired by the Sriracha Egg sandwich first introduced last year.

News: Carvel - New Mint Flavor

Carvel ice cream shops have introduced a new mint flavor to start the new year.

Available through March 31, 2014, the new flavor can be found as Mint soft serve, Oreo Mint ice cream, or Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream.

The flavor is also featured in the new Oreo Mint Sundae Dasher. The dessert meant for on-the-go eating features Mint soft serve with Oreo cookie piece, drizzled with fudge and topped with whipped cream.

Review: Burger King - Rodeo Sandwiches

Burger King's Rodeo Sandwiches come with either a burger or breaded chicken patty plus three onion rings and barbecue sauce on a toasted sesame bun.

I bought one of each for $1 a piece.

News: Einstein Noah - New Thintastic Bagel Free on January 15, 2014

Einstein Noah (i.e. Einstein Bros. and Noah's Bagels) kicks off the new year with new Thintastic Bagels and will be giving them away with schmear on January 15, 2014 only via coupon.

News: Pizza Hut Testing Pizza by the Slice

Pizza Hut is testing pizza by the slice as a possible future offering at two locations starting tomorrow.

According to this AP story, each slice will cost between $2 to $3 and take about three to four minutes to heat (which is about the same as for your standard neighborhood pizzeria but slower than the 90 seconds of the Turbo Chef ovens 7-Eleven has been using) and will require new ovens to do the heating.

News: Domino's - Half-Off Any Pizza Ordered Online Through January 19, 2014

Domino's is once again running one of their half-off deals good on any regularly-priced pizza ordered online starting today and running through Sunday, January 19, 2014.

If you've been wondering why these type of pizza deals tend to be online only, one of the reasons is that it frees up an employee from having to take orders on the phone instead of making pizzas.