Frozen Friday - Haagen-Dazs - Caramelized Banana Chip Gelato

Haagen-Dazs' Caramelized Banana Chip Gelato takes banana caramel gelato and mixes in semi-sweet chocolaty chips.

I got a 14-oz carton for $2.50 on sale.

Dunkin' Donuts Introduces New Croissant Donuts

Dunkin' Donuts launches new Croissant Donuts at participating Dunkin' Donuts restaurants nationwide starting Monday, November 3, 2014.

The new donuts features a ring of flaky croissant glazed like a donut.

2014 Halloween Deal Round Up

Here's a quick reference to all the free food you (or your kids) can get this Halloween (October 31, 2014). You like the picture? Google put out a "Halloweenify" photo effect this year for Google+ photos and I used it on my shot of the Franken Frappuccino. Spooky!

Review: Starbucks - Franken Frappuccino

Starbucks' Franken Frappuccino is a new drink being offered for only 3 days leading up to Halloween. It takes a Green Tea Frappuccino and mixes in peppermint syrup, white mocha sauce, java chips, and mocha drizzle.

It normally costs $5.55 for a 16-oz Grande-size drink, but I got this one for $3 with a discount.

The Italian Original Chicken Sandwich Returns to Burger King

The Italian Original Chicken Sandwich is back for a limited time at Burger King.

The Italian version of Burger King's signature chicken sandwich replaces lettuce and mayo with melted mozzarella cheese and tangy marinara sauce to go with the long breaded chicken patty and long sesame bun.

Starbucks Offering New Franken Frappuccino Through Halloween

To get in the spirit of Halloween, Starbucks is offering the new Franken Frappuccino through Halloween this Friday at participating locations.

The drink is basically a Green Tea Frappuccino with peppermint syrup, white mocha sauce, java chips, and mocha drizzle.

Review: Papa John's - Fritos Chili Pizza

Papa John's Fritos Chili Pizza comes topped with beef, chili sauce, Roma tomatoes, onions, cheddar, mozzarella, and Fritos corn chips.

It's available for a limited time at $12 for a large, but I bought one for $8.50 with a special deal.

Jamba Juice Giving Away Free Smoothies to Kids on Halloween

Jamba Juice will be celebrating Halloween with a free smoothie deal for the kids. Rather than calling it a Halloween promotion, they're calling it "Free Kids Smoothie Day" and it runs from 2 pm to 7 pm on Friday, October 31, 2014, at participating Jamba Juice locations.

Popeyes Offers New Deep-Fried Pumpkin Pies This Fall

Popeyes fries up new Spiced Pumpkin 'N Cream Cheese Pies this fall. The individual turnover-style pies feature a flaky crust and a combination spiced pumpkin and cream cheese filling.

Taco Bell's new Mobile App Lets You Order Ahead and Pick Up at the Drive-Thru

Taco Bell just released their new mobile ordering and payment app so that you can now order and pay ahead before going through the drive-thru to pick up your food (you just drive up and tell them you ordered via the app). You can also pick up your order inside.

Review: Zaxby's Game Day Fillet Sandwich

Zaxby’s Game Day Fillet features a crispy fried chicken breast fillet on a lightly toasted bun.

I picked up the Game Day Fillet meal for $5.49. That includes a side and a small drink. If you just want the sandwich alone, it goes for $3.49.

Review: Starbucks - Pumpkin Scone

Starbucks' Pumpkin Scone features the flavors of pumpkin pie spice, brown sugar, and cinnamon and comes topped with a white icing and orange (yellow on mine) icing drizzle.

It was $2.45 for one, which seems to be the average price for Starbucks' baked items.

Red Robin Breaks Out New Garlic Herbed Fries in Time for Halloween

To help you fend off those pesky vampires, Red Robin breaks out new Garlic Herbed Fries just in time for Halloween.

Garlic Herbed Fries are a variation on the chain's Bottomless Steak Fries that tosses them in a garlic herb seasoning and finishes it all off with shredded Parmesan and parsley.

Sonic Selling 50 Cent Corn Dogs on Halloween

Sonic will be offering their corn dogs for 50 cents a piece all day on Halloween this Friday.

The corn dogs normally go for $1 or more and there's no limit on how many you can buy (well unless they run out).

Church's Chicken Unveils New Chicken Fried Steak

Church's Chicken unveils new Chicken Fried Steak as October comes to a close. The dish is so-named because it's a cut of tenderized steak that's breaded and deep-fried like fried chicken (I've also come across the occasional "Chicken Fried Chicken" now and again, which I've always thought is funny/weird).

Review: Jack in the Box - Spicy Sriracha Burger

Jack in the Box's Spicy Sriracha Burger features a beef patty, hickory-smoked bacon, sliced jalapenos, a slice of Swiss-style cheese, shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and creamy Sriracha sauce on toasted sourdough bread.

I picked one up for $4.59.

Papa Murphy's Offers New Orange Cookies for Halloween This Year

In addition to the annual return of the Jack-O-Lantern Pizza, Papa Murphy's is also offering new orange-colored chocolate chip cookie dough to help you celebrate Halloween.

The new Spooky Dough is available at participating Papa Murphy locations through October 31, 2014. It's sold in one-pound containers as an add-on to go with the Jack-O-Lantern Pizza (they're calling the combo the "Scream of a Deal").

New Buttermilk Biscuit Butterfly Shrimp at Popeyes

Butterfly Shrimp is back at Popeyes and it comes with a new buttermilk twist. They've basically dipped the shrimp in buttermilk biscuit batter before frying and are calling it "Buttermilk Biscuit Butterfly Shrimp."

Review: Kettle Brand Jalapeno Potato Chips

Kettle Brand's Jalapeno Potato Chips feature their signature kettle-cooked potato chips with a jalapeno-flavored spice mix.

An 8.5-oz bag cost me $2.50 on sale.

Papa John's Debuts New Fritos Chili Pizza

Papa John's takes on the Fritos chili pie with their new Fritos Chili Pizza. It comes topped with beef, chili sauce, Roma tomatoes, onions, cheddar, mozzarella, and Fritos corn chips.

Domino's Offers New Pizza Sandwiches in India

Domino's latest over in India are new Subwiches--sandwiches that are assembled by placing various fillings between two triangles of raw pizza dough before baking in the oven.

The triangles are actually the same size as a slice of pizza as they're cut from rolled-out pizza dough.

Review: Pepperidge Farm - Cinnamon Bun Cookies

Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon Bun Cookies are part of their Coffee Shop line and feature soft-baked cookies dusted with cinnamon sugar and cream cheese-flavored chips.

I got a 8.6-oz bag for $1.99 on sale.

Is a Pretzel Pizza in the Works for Pizza Hut?

Pizza Hut recently filed as trademarks a series of names that hints at future pizzas from the chain, or perhaps a new line of pizzas to come. The names aren't a lot to go by, but they do take a bit more artistic license than usual.

White Chocolate Mocha Back at McDonald's

McDonald's is once again offering the White Chocolate Mocha for this fall-holiday season.

Additionally, they've added a new Hot White Chocolate and White Chocolate Latte.

Frozen Friday: Haagen Dazs - Bourbon Pecan Praline Ice Cream

Haagen Dazs' Bourbon Pecan Praline ice cream features bourbon ice cream with a bourbon-brown sugar swirl and pecan praline pieces.

I bought a 14-oz carton for $2.99 on sale.

KFC Unleashes New Double Shell Tacos on New Zealand

While there aren't any Taco Bell restaurants in New Zealand, fellow Yum brand KFC looks to pick up the slack with new Double Shell Tacos.

Starbucks Set for Mobile Ordering Starting Next Year

Starbucks plans to launch mobile ordering across the United States next year, except in the Portland, OR area, where it will be rolling out by the end of this year.

The system will enable customers to place and pay for their orders on their phone before going to their selected Starbucks location and picking it up.

Crisp Burritos Back at Green Burrito

Crisp Burritos are back at Green Burrito-Carl's Jr. dual-branded restaurants. Basically Carl's Jr.'s version of a chimichanga, the burritos feature seasoned ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, and jalapenos rolled up in a flour tortilla and "crisped" to a golden brown.

Secret Menu: Taco Bell - Country Gravy Waffle Taco

Taco Bell is one of those places who will pretty much make whatever you want given the ingredients on hand, so I had them make me a Waffle Taco with the new Country Gravy.

It ended up costing me 30 cents extra for the gravy for a total of $2.29. They offered me syrup on the side, but I declined. I also nixed the cheese.

McDonald's Offers New Top Chef Burger in Spain

McDonald's latest in Spain is a burger created by a contestant in the country's season of Top Chef, chef Javier Pena. The burger was the winning recipe from an in-show competition where the contestant had to come up with a simple McDonald's burger.

El Pollo Locos Intros New "Create Your Own" Bowls

El Pollo Loco introduces new "Create Your Own" Bowls, a build-your-own take on their signature Pollo Bowls, for a limited time

Dunkin' Donuts' Boston Scream Donut Back for Halloween 2014

Just in time for Halloween, Dunkin' Donuts trots out their seasonal Boston Scream Donut, a festive take on their classic Boston Kreme Donut.

The Boston Scream Donut is basically a Boston Kreme Donut decorated with a drizzle of orange icing.

Wasabi Ginger is 2014's Lay's Do Us a Flavor Winner

The votes are in, and Lay's Kettle Cooked Wasabi Ginger-flavored chips is this year's winner of the Lay's Do Us a Flavor contest. That means it will remain in stores and that Meneko Spigner McBeth, who submitted the winning flavor, will be pocketing the greater of a $1 million grand prize or 1% of the flavor's sales through July 1, 2015.

Review: Sonic - Boneless Wings

Sonic's new Boneless Wings feature crispy-fried, bite-sized white meat chicken pieces that come tossed in one of three sauces: Buffalo, Asian Sweet Chili, or Barbecue.

I got three orders (one of each flavor) of six Boneless Wings per order. They were $3.99 per order, but I received them courtesy of Sonic.

New Double Loaded Omelet Biscuit at Carl's Jr. and Hardee's

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's offers twice the omelet with the new Double Loaded Omelet Biscuit.

Essentially a doubled-up version of their Loaded Omelet Biscuit, the Double Loaded Omelet Biscuit comes with a slice of American cheese plus two folded-egg omelets, each filled with crumbled sausage, diced ham, and chopped bacon, plus shredded Jack and cheddar cheeses.

Outback Launches Date Night Deal

Outback Steakhouse caters to lovers with the new Date Night Meal for Two. Apparently, over 66% of people prefer dining out at a restaurant on date night over making dinner at home, so Outback came up with a special menu that's only available Thursday through Sunday.

Outbacks' Date Night Meal includes:

McDonald's Offering Sirloin Steak in Australia

McDonald's is grilling up sirloin steak for new salad and wraps over in Australia. They actually call sirloin "rump steak," so it's new "Rump Steak Salad & Wraps." Their "sirloin" is what we call a "porterhouse." Interesting, no?

Carl's Jr. Testing a Cinnamon French Toast Sandwich

Perhaps looking for the next big breakfast "thing," Carl's Jr. is testing a Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Breakfast Sandwich in at least one location here in Southern California.

Site Redesign Feedback - Please Comment!

Dear Readers,

It's been a little less than a month into the new site redesign and some of you have expressed concerns. So I wanted to see what you guys like and don't like about the new (and old) site.

I know some of you have already expressed your opinions in various comments but I was hoping you would elaborate further here.

I'm trying to decide how to improve the site for everyone so please be specific. Please don't just say you like or don't like it, but let me know exactly what you like/don't like and why. I may or may not change the site depending on the feedback.

Thank you all for commenting and reading!

Best Regards,
Q (the guy who runs Brand Eating)

Review: Carl's Jr. - Mile High Bacon Thickburger

Carl's Jr.'s Mile High Bacon Thickburger features thick-cut Applewood-smoked bacon, a 1/3- or 1/2-pound charbroiled Black Angus beef patty, American cheese, red onion, tomato, lettuce, and mayo, on a toasted fresh baked bun.

I picked up a 1/3 version for $6.29.

$2 Drinks at The Coffee Bean on October 25, 2014, 2pm - 6pm

The Coffee Bean is offering $2 Fall Drinks on Saturday, October 25, 2014, from 2 pm to 6 pm.

The available selection of drinks include the Small Pumpkin Latte, Small Pumpkin Chai Ice Blended, Small Pure Pumpkin Ice Blended, and Small Hot Chocolate. It's limit one drink per customer, per visit.

Free Donuts at Krispy Kreme on Halloween When You Show Up in Costume

Krispy Kreme will be giving away free donuts to costumed guests at participating Krispy Kreme US and Canada locations on Halloween.

It's limit one donut per costumed guest, but you can get any donut of your choice that's available when you get there (including the seasonal Halloween and Ghostbusters donuts), while supplies last. No purchase is necessary.

The McRib is Back at McDonald's

The McRib barbecue pork sandwich is back at McDonald's this fall, but only at select McDonald's locations (i.e. where there's a good amount of demand for it).

Review: Church's Chicken - Waffle Bites

Church's Chicken's new Waffle Bites are bite-sized maple waffles that come with a maple butter-flavored dipping sauce.

They come in a Chicken & Waffle Bites combo, which includes three chicken strips and five Waffle Bites for $3.99.

KFC Korea's New Double Down Has Chicken, Beef, and Pork!

Perhaps as the inevitable next evolutionary step for KFC's Double Down, the new Double Down King in South Korea adds a beef patty to the mix so that the bunless meat sandwich now contains beef, chicken, and pork.

Sandwiched between two crispy chicken filets, you'll find a hamburger beef patty, bacon, barbecue sauce, and a creamy black pepper sauce. It's like the turducken of hamburgers.

Jack-O-Lantern Pizza Back at Papa Murphy's for Halloween

Papa Murphy's looks to fuel your Halloween festivities with the annual return of the Jack-O-Lantern Pizza at participating locations.

Quiznos Bakes up New Pumpkin White Chip Bars

Pumpkin season hits Quiznos with the new Pumpkin White Chip Bar. It's a new baked good made with pumpkin puree, pumpkin pies spices, and white chocolate chips and can be warmed in Quiznos toaster oven when ordered.

Chipotle Offering $3 Boorito Deal for Halloween 2014

In celebration of Halloween, Chipotle is once again discounting their burritos, bowls, salads, tacos, and kids meals to $3 for costumed customers on Friday, October 31, 2014. They call it their "Boorito" deal.

Review: Pillsbury Melts S'mores Sensation Filled Cookies

Pillsbury Melts S'mores Sensation filled cookies are a ready-to-bake option with 9 marshmallow-filled chocolate chip cookies with a packet of chocolaty icing to drizzle on them.

An 11-5-oz package cost me $2.50 on sale.

This Pizza Hut Pizza is Stuffed with Fancy Sausage

Over in the tiny country of Luxembourg, Pizza Hut recently introduced the new Metti Crust Pizza, a Cheesy Bites-style crust where the bites are filled with local mettwurst sausage rather than cheese.

Pumpkin Pies are Back at Select McDonald's Restaurants

Baked Pumpkin Pies are back for a limited time at select McDonald's restaurants for Fall 2014.

Usually available around this time of year, the turnover-style pies come with pumpkin pie filling inside and are sprinkled with cinnamon sugar on the crust.