Food Franchisors are Going Green with Fun Products and Menu Items

Every March, Americans embrace their inner Irish to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Food franchisors can bring in extra holiday business with special deals, discounts and fun menu items like green drinks and traditional Irish fare. According to a Statista survey, 61% of respondents expect to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2023, meaning extra green for restaurants and other food franchises.

So, how are food franchisors celebrating St. Patrick’s Day 2023? Here’s a look at some festive examples.

Food Franchise Specials and Menu Items for St. Patrick’s Day 2023

Bar Louie

It wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day without a few (too many) drinks. On March 17, all Bar Louie locations are offering drink specials to make the Irish celebration even luckier. These specials include $4 Jameson Sidecar, $5 Guinness Draught, $3 Bud Light Green beer, and $8 Irish Old Fashioned. If you want to have fun without the post-St. Patty’s Day hangover, Bar Louie is offering the non-alcoholic Guinness 0 drink. 

Duck Donuts

Duck Donuts is adding some magic to its donuts for St. Patrick’s Day 2023. Through March 19, the donut franchise is offering the Lucky Duck Assortment. Specialty donuts include the Bacon Shamrock donut, which is covered with green icing and chopped bacon; the Strawberry Magical Charms donut, which has pink icing with charm and marshmallow drizzle; the Lucky Cinnamon Bun donut, which is topped with cinnamon sugar and green vanilla dizzle; and Confetti Shamrock, covered with green vanilla icing and sprinkles. This St. Patty’s Day assortment can be ordered in-store, online or through the Duck Donut app. 

Dog Haus

At the Dog Haus franchise, St. Patrick’s Day lasts the entire month of March with its Absolute Würst Sausage Series. To commemorate Irish culture and the fun holiday, the hot dog franchise is offering the Dog Haus Würstmacher Adam Gertler’s Corned Beef and Cabbage Sausage. The Irish-inspired treat features an antibiotic-free sausage blended with cabbage, garlic and corned beef spices in a sheep casing. This Irish treat is available through March 31. The hot dog franchise’s series includes five ways to enjoy their dogs: the “Würst Way”; “Breakfast Way”; “Your Way”; “Corn Dog Way”; and “Sliced Way.” To give back, Dog Haus is donating $1 from every Absolute Würst Sausage Series item sold to No Kid Hungry. 

McDonald’s

The Golden Arches brought back two seasonal favorites for St. Patrick’s Day: the Shamrock Shake and Oreo Shamrock McFlurry. The Shamrock Shake is made with vanilla soft serve and blended with a minty Shamrock Shake syrup and topped with whipped cream. The Oreo Shamrock McFlurry isn’t topped with whipped cream, but instead has pieces of Oreo cookie mixed throughout. Both treats are available for a limited time while supplies last. 

Hawaiian Bros

The Hawaiian Bros franchise is adding Hawaiian flavor to St. Patrick’s Day 2023. From March 17 – 19, all Hawaiian Bros locations will offer Dole Soft Serve. 

BurgerFi

To get into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit, BurgerFi is offering the new Mint Oreo Shake, combining mint with the taste of Oreo cookies. This specialty drink is available for a limited time only at participating locations. 

Bennigan’s 

For St. Patrick’s Day 2023, Bennigan’s is bringing back its Blarney Blast menu items to charm guests. New offerings include Loaded Blarney Pub Fries, the Rueben Brat, Molly Malone’s Irish Linguine, and Irish Cream Cheesecake. Guests can enjoy festive drinks including the Emerald Isle Party Punch, Paddy’s Lemon Drop Martini, Celtic Peach Blaster, Tableside Irish Coffee, and more. These Irish-inspired items can be enjoyed through March 30. Additionally, every Bennigan’s location will serve green beer, Corned Beef and Cabbage and Beer Cheese Soup during St. Patrick’s Day week.

Hooters

Hooters is looking to make guests feel even luckier with its St. Patrick’s Day drink specials throughout the opening week of March Madness, which begins March 14. These specialty drinks include Jameson & Ginger, Nutty Guinness Bomb, and Irish Car Bomb. Drinks are available at participating locations. 

Bagel Boss

To give breakfast an Irish flavor, Bagel Boss is offering green bagels, cream cheese and green and white cookies through the end of March.

O’Charley’s Restaurant + Bar

On March 16 and 17, O’Charley’s Restaurant + Bar is offering three $10 dine-in only options: hand-battered fish and chips, classic cheeseburger, and O’Charley’s famous chicken tenders and fries. The restaurant franchise is also offering guests $1 pints of Bud Light and Underground Chucks over the two days.