Chick-fil-A is set to delight its customers by returning a fan-favorite milkshake and introducing new menu items. The popular fast-food chain announced Tuesday that it's bringing back its Banana Pudding Milkshake for the first time in 13 years.

The hand-spun shake blends Chick-fil-A's signature "Icedream" ice cream with sweet cream, natural bananas, banana puree, and crushed vanilla wafer cookies. The indulgent treat is topped with whipped cream, vanilla wafer cookie crumbles, and a cherry.

Chick-fil-A Chef Christy Cook told USA Today, "I can't tell you the number of times I've gone to family reunions or spoken to someone at the store who found out I work at Chick-fil-A, 'When is that Banana Pudding Milkshake coming back?'"

The milkshake packs a hefty 880 calories, 155 grams of carbs, 25 grams of fat, and 13 grams of protein. However, Cook emphasized the nostalgic appeal of the drink, stating, "When I think about banana pudding, I think about family reunions and community and something where I'm gathering with friends, and so that's what we want to convey with this shake."

In addition to the milkshake, Chick-fil-A is introducing a Banana Frosted Coffee. This new beverage combines cold-brewed coffee with the chain's Icedream ice cream, banana, and vanilla wafer cookie crumbles.

While these banana pudding-inspired drinks are making their way onto the menu, the traditional dessert itself will not be offered at regular Chick-fil-A locations. However, customers can find banana pudding at the chain's sister stores in Georgia, including Truett's Grill, Truett's Chick-fil-A, the Dwarf House, and the Dwarf House in Hapeville.

The new banana-flavored items will be available for a limited time from Aug 26 through Nov 16, while supplies last. This timeframe aligns with the typical 10-week window for limited-time offerings at the chain.

Coinciding with the return of the Banana Pudding Milkshake, Chick-fil-A will also introduce a new version of the Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich, reportedly spicier than last year's original creation.

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A new and intriguing player is making its way into the fast-food market in Israel, with an emphasis on the world of burgers and meat sandwiches.

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The Hardee's hamburger chain, which operates thousands of branches around the world, will open 50 branches in Israel and is looking for an exclusive franchisee.

The chain belongs to the global restaurant powerhouse CKE Restaurant Holdings, which operates about 4,000 branches worldwide under the Hardee's and Carl's Jr. brands.

The senior management team of the American company, led by Vice President of International Franchise Sales and Development Marc Mushkin, willl arrive in Israel this December in order to identify a suitable potential partner for the opening of the first branch in Israel.

Entering the Israeli market is another step in the growth of the global network and the development of its activities in the Middle East.

"We are excited about the launch of the chain's network in Israel and the expansion of its business activities in the Middle East," said Mushkin. "We are looking for suitable candidates with operational and economic capabilities to establish at least 10 to 15 branches in the initial stage of the exclusive development agreement."

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Israeli media reported that Fox Group owner Harel Wiesel has been in talks to establish a partnership with his brothers Yoram and Ari Yerzin, both of whom own several successful eateries.

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Starbucks sold in Israeli stores between 2001 and 2003. But it never quite caught on with the Israeli public, who had plenty of Mideast coffee staples and fresher fare.

"This time Starbucks may succeed in Israel after changing its image in recent years, upgrading its types of coffee and expanding its range of baked goods and food, and the increase in the number of tourists coming to Israel who are used to the chain adds to its attractiveness," reported Israel's Channel 7.

The fast-food chain Shake Shack, founded in New York City in 2004, sells hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries and milkshakes. It currently operates in 12 countries.

Neither Starbucks nor Shake Shack is kosher.

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org

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As part of the deal, Apprente's team will form a new internal group within the fast-food chain's technology team, called McD Tech Labs. The Silicon Valley-based startup, founded in 2017 by Israeli entrepreneurs Itamar Arel and Moshe Looks, develops artificial intelligence and voice-based conversational technology for use in loud environments, such as drive-thru restaurants.

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"Apprente's technology will allow for faster, simpler and more accurate ordering at the Drive Thru," McDonald's said on its website. "We are committed to developing high-quality, positive and personalized experiences to meet rising expectations – both for customers and restaurant employees."

"The initial focus of the Silicon Valley team will be to enhance technology for use in McDonald's Drive Thru. However, we believe that the broader voice-based technology also has the potential to reach customers when, where and how they want through incorporation into mobile ordering or kiosks," continued McDonald's. "With this move, we're investing in the talent and technology that will ultimately make our customer and restaurant employee experience better."

This marks McDonald's second acquisition of an Israeli company this year. In March, it acquired Israel-based web personalization company Dynamic Yield Ltd. for an estimated $300 million.

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

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