Waffle Sandwiches and Banana Bread Lattes: Fall's Biggest Fast-Food Menu Moves

What are the new Chick-fil-A fall menu items?

Chick-fil-A is rolling out three limited-time items for fall 2026: the Chicken and Waffle Sandwich, the S'mores Milkshake, and the S'mores Frosted Coffee. All three arrive at every U.S. location on August 24. The Chicken and Waffle Sandwich was tested in Baltimore and San Antonio from late 2025 into January 2026, while the s'mores drinks got a two-week trial around Halloween 2025 at a few Texas stores. The sandwich comes in a breakfast portion and a larger entree-size after 10:30 a.m. The milkshake and frosted coffee have been generating buzz on social media, with one TikTok reviewer calling the shake "a campfire in a cup." These items are expected to stick around only a few months, following the pattern of earlier seasonal releases at the chain. If you want to try them, go before the turn of the year.

What's inside the S'mores milkshake and S'mores frosted coffee?

Both s'mores drinks start with Chick-fil-A's Icedream dessert, but the Frosted Coffee also gets a serving of cold brew. The milkshake mixes Icedream with marshmallow syrup, chocolate shortbread, and graham cracker crumbs, then finishes with a swirl of marshmallow whipped cream on top. The Frosted Coffee uses the same three add-ins but swaps the whipped cream for cold brew, giving it a caffeinated kick and a slightly thinner texture. The chocolate shortbread crumbles into the drink, adding a buttery, crunchy bite, while the graham cracker crumbs bring a toasty, sandy mouthfeel. A TikTok reviewer described the milkshake as "tastes like a campfire in a cup," which captures the smoky-sweet nostalgia the chain is going for. Both drinks launch August 24 and are available only during the fall season.

What is Chick-fil-A's Newstalgia campaign?

Newstalgia is Chick-fil-A's yearlong campaign for its 80th anniversary, running since January 2026. The name combines "new" and "nostalgia," and the menu items reflect that by taking comfort classics and adding a twist. Earlier in 2026, the campaign introduced frosted sodas, Strawberry Hibiscus beverages, and two sandwiches that were widely praised: the Jalapeño Ranch Club Chicken Sandwich for spring and the Honey Pepper Pimento Sandwich for summer. The fall trio—the Chicken and Waffle Sandwich, S'mores Milkshake, and S'mores Frosted Coffee—is the latest release. Each item is limited-time, and previous ones stuck around for only a few months. The company hasn't announced an end date for these fall items, but based on the pattern, they'll likely disappear by late fall or early winter. If you're curious about the lineup, the Newstalgia campaign is the umbrella theme.

What is Starbucks adding to its fall 2026 menu?

Starbucks' fall menu launches August 25, and it's packed with new and returning drinks. The Pumpkin Spice Latte returns alongside Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino, Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai, and a new Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso. The chain is also introducing Iced Pumpkin Cream Matcha for matcha fans. Behind the pumpkin lineup, two banana bread-inspired drinks debut: Iced Banana Bread Latte and Iced Banana Bread Chai, both featuring banana, cinnamon, and brown sugar flavors — and they'll stay on the menu beyond fall. A brand-new Chaider, a chai-and-cider mashup with cinnamon and sweet spices, can be ordered hot or iced. The pecan drinks from last year return: Pecan Cortado, Iced Pecan Crunch Latte, and Pecan Crunch Latte, all with nutty, brown butter notes. The menu also gets a new Hedgehog Cake Pop and Chicken Bacon Protein Pocket.

What is the Starbucks Chaider and what does it taste like?

Chaider is Starbucks' new fall 2026 drink, a mashup of chai and apple cider. It's made with chai's spiced black tea base combined with cider-inspired flavors, which the chain says include cinnamon and sweet spices. You can order it hot or iced, giving you flexibility for those late-August temperatures. The drink has no coffee, so it's a good pick if you're avoiding caffeine or just want something cozy without an espresso kick. While Starbucks hasn't released a full ingredient list, the name and description suggest a blend of traditional chai masala spices with the tart-sweet apple notes of cider. It's part of the fall menu that arrives August 25. If you're tired of pumpkin but still want a seasonal sip, Chaider offers a spicy, fruity alternative that's entirely new.

What are the banana bread-inspired drinks at Starbucks?

Starbucks is launching two banana bread drinks for fall 2026: the Iced Banana Bread Latte and the Iced Banana Bread Chai. Both use a combination of banana, cinnamon, and brown sugar flavor syrups to mimic the taste of homemade banana bread. The latte is espresso-based, while the chai uses the chain's chai concentrate, so they have different caffeine profiles. The drinks are iced-only at launch, and unlike the pumpkin and pecan items, they're not limited-time — Starbucks says they'll remain on the menu beyond the fall season. The banana flavor is a new direction for the seasonal lineup, which has traditionally leaned on pumpkin and apple. A reviewer hasn't weighed in yet, but the flavor combination of ripe banana, warm cinnamon, and molasses-like brown sugar is a classic comfort pairing. They arrive August 25.

Which Starbucks fall items from 2025 are not returning?

While Starbucks expands its pumpkin and pecan lines for fall 2026, some last year's favorites are gone. The Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato is missing from the menu, leaving apple-espresso fans without their usual order. The Baked Apple Croissant also appears to be cut from the food lineup. In the bakery case, the Owl Cake Pop has been replaced by a new Hedgehog Cake Pop, a seasonal shift. These omissions suggest Starbucks is moving away from apple-flavored drinks and snacks this year, focusing instead on pumpkin, pecan, and banana. The return of pecan drinks and the introduction of banana bread drinks fill the gap, but if you were counting on that apple crisp macchiato, you'll have to branch out. Starbucks hasn't given a reason for the cuts, but the menu clearly prioritizes the new banana and Chaider options over the apple items from last fall.