Smashburger, a fast-casual burger chain, has recently brought back its popular Mac & Cheese Burger and introduced a new spicy version called the Scorchin’ Hot Mac & Cheese Burger. These burgers are available for a limited time at participating locations nationwide, in-store and online. The Mac & Cheese Burger features a certified Angus beef patty topped with American cheese and a layer of creamy macaroni and cheese that is smashed on the grill to create a crispy baked cheese layer. The Scorchin’ Hot Mac & Cheese Burger adds a kick of heat with Smashburger’s signature Scorchin’ Hot seasoning.
The Mac & Cheese Burger was first launched in February 2023 and became one of the top-performing limited-time offers of all time for Smashburger. The brand decided to bring back the beloved dish and offer a second version with a scorchin’ new twist to satisfy the cravings of its guests.
According to Smashburger’s Senior Vice President of Global Operations, Toni Bianco, "At Smashburger, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of taste innovation with the highest quality ingredients, while maintaining a pulse on the desires of our guests. After the Mac & Cheese Burger became one of our top performing LTOs of all time, we knew we had to bring the beloved dish back to satisfy our guests’ cravings and turn up the heat with the new Scorchin’ Hot Mac & Cheese Burger."
Macaroni and Cheese Burgers
Smashburger Debuted a New Scorchin' Hot Mac & Cheese Burger
Trend Themes
1. Limited-time Offer Burgers - Smashburger's Mac & Cheese and Scorchin' Hot Mac & Cheese Burgers are part of a growing trend of limited-time offer burgers that attract customers with unique and innovative flavors.
2. Spicy Fast Food - The introduction of Smashburger's Scorchin' Hot Mac & Cheese Burger highlights the growing trend of fast food chains incorporating spicy flavors to cater to the preferences of spice-loving customers.
3. Cheesy Burger Innovations - Smashburger's Mac & Cheese Burger showcases a trend of burger chains experimenting with innovative cheese-based toppings to create indulgent and flavorful burger experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Fast-casual Dining - The introduction of limited-time offer burgers like Smashburger's Mac & Cheese and Scorchin' Hot Mac & Cheese Burgers demonstrates the impact of innovative and unique menu items in the fast-casual dining industry.
2. Fast Food Chains - The incorporation of spicy flavors in fast food offerings, such as the Scorchin' Hot Mac & Cheese Burger, reflects the ongoing evolution and experimentation within the fast food industry to cater to diverse customer preferences.
3. Burger Chains - Burger chains, like Smashburger, are leveraging cheese-based toppings and unique flavor combinations, like the Mac & Cheese Burger, to differentiate themselves and stay competitive in the highly competitive burger industry.