Goodbye, Knott's Berry Farm: The Week's Top Food News

This week, Wendy's expanded its breakfast menu with the debut of a bacon-filled Breakfast Burrito, and we learned about a dish in Japan that is so popular, there's a 43-year-long waitlist to order it. Read on for these and other top food news stories from January 22-26, 2024.

When you hear the name Knott's Berry Farm you probably think of the beloved theme park, situated in Buena Park, California. Even if you've never been, you're likely familiar with the brand for a different reason: its line of homestyle jams, jellies, and fruit preserves sold at the grocery store. It looks like we won't have the chance to buy any more of them outside the parks, however, because theme park enthusiast site Inside the Magic has reported that Knott's Berry Farm products are gone from store shelves forever. - Dennis Lee Read More

With yet another new item on the breakfast menu, Wendy's continues to focus on its morning crowd. Last summer, the chain debuted English muffin sandwiches, which might not dethrone the classic McDonald's McMuffin, but are still a bold way for Wendy's to shake things up. Its latest breakfast entree is another handheld option: a Breakfast Burrito, available now in select regions. – Dennis Lee Read More

I don't mind waiting in lines to pick up my food, or pre-ordering cool stuff months before it comes out. But CNN reports that there's a specialty butcher shop in western Japan's Hyogo prefecture that has quite the waiting list to try one of its products, and you're never going to believe how long they expect your order to take. Not weeks, months, or even years—think decades. - Dennis Lee Read More

Applebee's recently announced the release of a special promotion, the Date Night Pass. For a one-time cost of $200, the pass holder would be entitled to $30 worth of food and non-alcoholic beverages per week at Applebee's, for a full year. That amounts to $1,560 worth of food and drink, which is a pretty great return on investment—and apparently, way too many people agreed with that assessment. When the $200 Date Night Pass went on sale earlier this week, demand was so high that it sold out in 60 seconds. – Dennis Lee Read More

People often talk about how there's a Starbucks or a McDonald's on every corner in the U.S., but it seems a new category of quick service restaurant is surging forward. Sandwich chains are charting their expansion, and the most recent brand to announce its rapid growth plan is Potbelly. - Angela L. Pagán Read More

The total hysteria over Stanley tumblers is not only going strong, but has now led to the arrest of one shopper who just couldn't get their hands on enough cups to satisfy their thirst for trendy hydration. NBC News reports that a woman in California was arrested last week after police found $2,500 worth of Stanley cups in her car. - Angela L. Pagán Read More

Right now, TikTok users are being whipped into a frenzy about ice cream. No, not the ice-cream-and-Fruit-Roll-Ups thing. Not the McFlurry-and-hash-brown thing either. And we're not talking about the Ninja Creami discourse. The latest ice cream trend on TikTok involves topping a scoop of vanilla with two humble pantry items: olive oil and sea salt. But this practice is nothing new. – Dennis Lee Read More

Panera's line of Charged Lemonade beverages has been the topic of several news stories in recent months. There are multiple pending lawsuits against the company specifically because of the high amounts of caffeine in these drinks, with health complications and even deaths reportedly linked to their consumption. So why do these lemonades remain on the Panera menu at all? - Dennis Lee Read More

After a messy legal battle, Crumbl's direct competitor, Dirty Dough, has not only made it out alive, but has found a home in the Craveworthy Brands portfolio where major growth is planned for the cookie chain, Restaurant Business reports. - Angela L. Pagán Read More

After decades of dismal seasons, the Detroit Lions are one playoff win away from the Super Bowl. Long-starved fans are jubilant, and bakeries around the area are joining in the celebration. Here are some of the Lions-themed treats on offer. - Micheline Maynard Read More