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Feeding the faithful: QSRs kick off Lenten season

March 8, 2011 by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Quick-service restaurants are ramping up their seafood promotions in an effort to reel in faithful customers during the Lenten season, which begins today and runs through April 23. This is the busiest time of the year for seafood consumption in the U.S. To mark the occasion: 

Long John Silver's has recently imparted a new marketing message revolving around the tagline "We Speak Fish." Through April 24, Long John Silver's will spotlight some of the most popular seafood favorites through its Seafood Feast, featuring batter-dipped pollock, lobster-stuffed crab cakes and butterfly shrimp for $5.99.

Also spotlighted are contemporary hand-prepared entrees that are lower in calories and fat from the Freshside Grille menu, such as Pacific Grilled Salmon, Grilled Tilapia and Shrimp Scampi.

Taco Bell’s Pacific Shrimp Taco has returned to menus for a limited time. The item made its debut in March 2010 after a successful test run. Also, new this year is the Pacific Shrimp Burrito. Like the taco, the burrito is filled with six shrimp marinated with chipotle seasonings, including pepper, onion, garlic and paprika. The taco is topped off with shredded lettuce, fiesta salsa and avocado ranch sauce, then wrapped in a flour tortilla. The burrito also includes a three-cheese blend and red strips.

Jack in the Box is offering a limited time fish sandwich combo meal for $2.99 plus tax. Jack’s fish sandwich is made with two battered fillets of Alaskan Pollock topped with lettuce and tartar sauce and served on a sesame seed bun. The combo includes a small order of fries and small drink.

In addition to the fish sandwich, Jack in the Box also is offering Fish & Chips, which includes three fish fillets and a small order of fries along with a side of tartar sauce and malt vinegar. Fish & Chips are available for a limited time at participating restaurants for $3.99, plus tax.

Gold Star Chilihas just introduced a vegetarian chili variation of its famous Cincinnati-style 3-way, as well as a full line of new veggie chili menu options. The new meatless options include a bowl of veggie chili, veggie chili burrito, veggie chili burrito bowl and veggie chili salad.

Captain D’shas rolled out its Double Dozen Shrimp item for a limited time only for $4.99. They are sold on their own or can be paired with Captain D’s classic batter dipped fish or breaded chicken. 

Culver’s is promoting its caught-fresh, hand-battered Northwoods Walleye Dinner and North Atlantic Cod Dinner. The dinners are served with a classic Culver’s family recipe tartar sauce featuring olives, capers and sweet relish, as well as two side dishes and a warm dinner roll.

Taco Cabanahas reintroduced its line of Shrimp Tampico items just in time for the Lenten season. Through mid-April, the offerings are available in either a personal or large quesadilla, or as part of a two or three enchilada plate with sour cream sauce, rice, a choice of beans and two flour tortillas. New this year, customers also can add Shrimp Tampico to their custom-built Cabana Bowl.

Del Taco has added a Baja twist to the lineup this year. The new Baja shrimp taco, priced at $2.19, features crispy shrimp, cabbage, salsa and a tangy Baja sauce in a warm flour tortilla and served with a lime wedge. The new Baja shrimp burrito, at $3.69, features crispy shrimp, cabbage, seasoned rice, salsa and tangy Baja sauce in a warm flour tortilla.

Wendy’s has brought its Premium Fish Fillet Sandwich back to the lineup, featuring hand-cut fillets of 100 percent North Pacific cod breaded with crispy panko crumbs and topped with lettuce and tartar sauce. The sandwich is available for a limited time at the suggested retail price of $3.69 a la carte and $5.29 for a combo.

Arby’s LTO features a crispy fish fillet and tangy tartar sauce served on a toasted sesame seed bun. For dessert, Arby’s also has rolled out the new outside-in cinnamon bites, bite-sized pastries with warm cinnamon and sweet cream cheese filling.

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