Top 10 Healthy Fast Food Menu Items That Flopped
#10: Go Active! Happy Meal
McDonald’s
In the early 2000s, the fast food giant decided to tackle rising obesity rates themselves. This led to the release of the Go Active! Happy Meal, which was advertised towards adults rather than kids. Each item came with a salad, water, a book of exercises to try, and a pedometer. It was to be the first step in a several-year-long plan to encourage healthier habits in their customer base, while also allowing them to still enjoy their favorite restaurant. It was originally meant to be a limited-time offer, but it eventually made its way to the main menu after being released. However, once it was competing with the rest of their regular, unhealthy meals, it seemingly faded into the background before vanishing for good.
#9: Border Lights Menu
Taco Bell
Although the food itself may not have been a flop, its branding certainly was. In the 1990s, Taco Bell released their Border Lights menu. It came with all the classic items fans knew and loved, but with 50% less fat than the originals. This meant that people could enjoy a delicious meal guilt-free. The new offerings were accompanied by a multimillion-dollar ad campaign, with the hopes that the line would help generate an additional $5 billion for the company. Less than a year later, however, it failed to take off. Besides the financial setback, the restaurant also saw backlash for the name and advertisements, which were seen as offensive by both sides of the immigration debate. By 1996, Border Lights disappeared entirely.
#8: Skinny Slice
Pizza Hut
On paper, a diet pizza is a genius idea. Unfortunately, when it came to the execution of their short-lived Skinny Slice, Pizza Hut couldn’t quite stick the landing. Each slice contained 30% less calories than a standard one. However, it didn’t take long for some to notice that it was essentially just a regular thin-crust pizza, which the chain already offered with the Thin ‘N Crispy. Despite the name, the Skinny Slice was only sold as a whole pie. The publisher of PMQ magazine pointed out that people were likely to eat more than they normally would, all while being under the impression they were making a healthy choice. This item came and went without too much fanfare– and it’s clear to see why.
#7: Market Fresh Wraps
Arby’s
Although they’re known for their curly fries and beef, that hasn’t stopped them from breaking into the healthy fast food game. Arby’s Market Fresh line boasts a series of wraps and sandwiches filled with all-natural ingredients. They appear to be perfect for dieters, but unfortunately, that isn’t the case. Each contains between 530 and 650 calories, which sounds fine until you realize that their classic roast beef sandwich only has 360. Customers have also reported that the wraps themselves are dry and overpriced. The Fresh Market sandwiches aren’t much better, with the Turkey, Bacon & Ranch sandwich clocking in at 800 calories and 2,200 milligrams of sodium. While the wraps are a valiant attempt at a lighter option, they fall flat compared to their competitors.
#6: Breeze
Dairy Queen
This is a perfect example of trends not always dictating what items will be popular or not. The late 20th century saw a frozen yogurt craze, with several stores dedicated to the item appearing throughout the United States. Dairy Queen decided to try their hand at the dessert as well, which led to the Breeze being added. It was intended to be a lighter version of the calorie-dense Blizzard. However, they were immediately met with a lackluster response from customers. It was so unpopular that the restaurant couldn’t sell it fast enough, leading to some of the supply going bad without ever being utilized. By the turn of the century, the Breeze was removed from the menu.
#5: Grilled Chicken
KFC
In 2009, they strayed from their traditional brand and released a grilled chicken option. At 180 calories a piece, it seemed like the perfect diet option. Unfortunately, they misjudged how popular it would be. After a year, sales plummeted, and many had to be thrown away due to them not aging well under the heat lamps. Additionally, despite being advertised as a healthy option, some pieces still contained 440 milligrams of sodium, which is more than a quarter of the recommended daily amount for some populations. KFC isn’t the only restaurant to have run into this issue, with Popeyes’ blackened chicken sandwich containing 1900 milligrams of sodium. While their intentions were pure, they couldn’t follow through all the way— or maintain their previous momentum.
#4: McLean Deluxe
McDonald’s
You know an item failed when it’s referred to as the “McFlopper.” Yet, when the McLean Deluxe was first announced in 1991, it was intended to be a revolutionary item in the restaurant’s lineup. Thanks to the addition of carrageenan– a compound found in red seaweed– into the burger, it only had 10 grams of fat. This was considerably less than the then-26 grams found in the Big Mac. However, while their new ingredient lowered the fat content, it also all but removed the flavor. Those who did try the sandwich found it to be incredibly dry, and soon the McLean Deluxe was being panned by customers and big-name entertainers alike. Despite the low sales, it survived for five years before being pulled in 1996.
#3: Garden Sensations Salad
Wendy’s
When it comes to healthy menu options, some appear to be no-brainers. That was the case for Wendy’s, which released a line of unique salads in 2002. With options ranging from Apple Pecan Chicken to a BLT Cobb, it seemed there was something for everyone. However, the execution proved that fresh ingredients and fun flavors didn’t equate to instant high sales. Some found the price to be too high, especially from a restaurant that normally offered affordable options. Others broke down the calories of the salads by item, which revealed that each had hundreds of calories when all the toppings were added. Some reached over 700, which negated the point of a lighter option. Although it was an excellent idea, it fell through when executed.
#2: Satisfries
Burger King
Creating a healthy main dish is something that many fast food chains have attempted. Sides are more rare– and after Burger King released their less-than-stellar Satisfries, it’s clear why. In 2013, the eatery launched the crinkle cut option to be sold alongside their classic straight cut fries. The former had a significantly lower fat and calorie count, mostly due to oil not being able to slip through the batter. While this boosted their health benefits, it also significantly impacted their overall flavor. They were also more expensive. Had they tasted good, then customers may not have minded the upcharge. Instead, they opted for the classic version. The rollout was a certified flop, and the Satisfries were retired less than a year later in 2014.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable, or we guess dishonorable, mentions.
Fruit & Walnut Salad, McDonald’s
Despite Being Packed with Delicious & Healthy Items, It Was Discontinued in 2013
Turkey Burgers, Carl’s Jr
Under 500 Calories Couldn’t Make up for the Lackluster Taste, Making Them a Short-Lived Addition
Frescata Sandwich, Wendy’s
This Artisanal Offering Barely Lasted a Year Thanks to High Competition from Subway
#1: McSalad Shakers
McDonald’s
Even when it’s nutritious, a gimmick can only go so far. In 2000, McDonald’s created the McSalad Shakers, which were essentially salads in a cup that customers added dressing to and shook. It was an interactive way for people to create a healthy meal, and seemed perfect for all ages. They came in three options – Chicken Caesar, Garden, and Chef. They weren’t exactly groundbreaking, but the variety of dressings offered meant that they could be customized differently to create new flavor combinations. They didn’t sell well at the time, which led to them being removed in 2003 in favor of salad in a bowl. Ironically enough, being discontinued made them more popular, with some fans still begging for their return twenty years later.
Have you ever tried any of these items? Let us know in the comments below!
