Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s both added turkey burgers to their menu, according to an article from MarketingDaily. These burgers are 500 calories, compared to the 770 found in Hardee’s Original Thickburger, and may “attract customers who may have shied away from the chains based on that same indulgent menu perception.”
While I’m glad they two chains didn’t remove their unhealthy choices–in other words, everything on the menu–I don’t think there’s really a need for turkey burgers. Either a person is going to eat at a quick-service restaurant (QSR) or they’re not. I’m not convinced this situation is similar to politics in which Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. are going to attract the people on the fence.
In addition, the menu change takes away from the brand and what it stands for. You don’t see Subway adding a deep-friend burger sub to its menu, nor would you see Qdoba or Chipotle adding Indian food to their menus. Businesses need to do what they’re best at.
I know other QSRs have done similar parlor tricks, so I’m not solely picking on Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. My plea to all QSRs is to just keep your menus intact, okay? Especially if it’s full of grease, grease and more grease.
