12 fast-food releases customers loved in 2020

Erin McDowellNov 7, 2020, 03:24 IST

McDonald's brought out a spicy version of its iconic chicken McNuggets in September.Irene Jiang/Business Insider

This year, fast-food chains have released a number of attention-grabbing menu items.
From KFC's polarizing fried chicken and donuts sandwich to McDonald's collaborations with artists Travis Scott and J Balvin, some fast-food launches broke the internet this year.

Fast-food releases during a year dominated by the coronavirus pandemic and an attention-grabbing election have admittedly been hit or miss.

While some new menu items barely registered with customers, others sent fans scrambling to their nearest McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Shake Shack, and more.

Travis Scott's meal collaboration with McDonald's caused burger shortages as customers tried to get their hands on the limited-time offer, while the chain's spicy nuggets quickly sold out just two weeks after being released. Jack in the Box and Shake Shack also answered fans' requests to bring back popular menu items.

Here are all the fast-food releases customers have loved in 2020, so far.

Jack in the Box brought back its fan-favorite Tiny Tacos in January.

Jack in the Box Tiny Tacos. Cesar G./Yelp

In February, KFC launched its polarizing fried chicken and donuts sandwich nationwide.

KFC fried chicken and donuts sandwich. Irene Jiang/Business Insider

Taco Bell released a new Grilled Cheese Burrito in July.

Taco Bell Grilled Cheese Burrito. Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

McDonald's brought out a spicy version of its iconic chicken McNuggets in September, to much fanfare.

McDonald's spicy chicken nuggets. Irene Jiang/Business Insider

McDonald's and Travis Scott's "Cactus Jack" meal collaboration broke the internet after its release in early September.

McDonald's Travis Scott meal. Linh Ta/Business Insider

Shake Shack's Hot Chick'n sandwich was released in September.

Shake Shack Hot Chick'n sandwich Shake Shack

Also in September, Whataburger released a limited-time-only spicy chicken sandwich.

Whataburger Spicy Chicken Sandwich. Whataburger

Chick-fil-A began testing a brand new chicken sandwich — the Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich — in September, as well.

Chick-fil-A Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich. Chick-fil-A

The following month, Wendy's dropped its own spicy chicken sandwich.

Wendy's Spicy Crispy Chicken. Wendy's

Following the huge success of McDonald's Travis Scott meal in September, the chain launched another celebrity collaboration with J Balvin in October.

McDonald's J Balvin meal. McDonald's

In October, everyone was talking about Dunkin's Spicy Ghost Pepper donut.

Dunkin' Spicy Ghost Pepper donut. Dunkin'

McDonald's shocked and delighted fans when the chain revealed it would bring back the McRib in December.

McDonald's McRib. Robson90/Shutterstock

We visited convenience-store rivals Wawa and Sheetz to see which does it better — and the winner is worth a trip in itself

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