While other fast-food chains are doubling down on chicken, Arby’s is turning its attention to steak.
Arby’s, a brand with a marketing campaign centered on “having the meats,” debuted what appears to be a first-of-its-kind item at a fast-food joint: a product they’re calling “Steak Nuggets.” Arby’s describes the new menu item as “tender, hand-cut pieces of steak seasoned with garlic and pepper for a smoky, savory flavor.”
“Who doesn’t love tender and savory steak? But until now, it’s been inconvenient to eat, particularly on the go,” Jeff Baker, Arby’s chief marketing officer, said in a statement. “That’s why we created this new innovative product.”
Arby’s new Steak Nuggets can be ordered three ways: as part of an entree (five- or nine-piece), with hickory BBQ sauce; in a “Steak Nugget Sandwich,” with Havarti, fried onions, pickles and mayo; or in a “Bowl” over mac and cheese and topped with fried onions.
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The new Steak Nuggets at Arby’s are debuting at a time when fast-food brands like Taco Bell and McDonald’s seem to be rushing to augment their chicken offerings in response to consumer demand. Chicken chains including Raising Cane’s and Popeyes are also planning to expand in the coming years.
Wendy’s, too, recently debuted its new Wendy’s Tendys chicken tenders, reportedly in development for a long time.
“Consumers told us what they wanted in a chicken tender, and we listened — taste-tested, fine-tuned and delivered,” a Wendy’s executive said.
