Halloween menus are rolling out nationwide, with major chains adding limited-time spooky items to their offers in October.
As Halloween approaches, fast-food chains across the U.S. are introducing new flavors and festive packaging on their menus. McDonald's, Burger King, Shake Shack, Krispy Kreme, and Cold Stone Creamery are launching limited-time promotions for customers seeking seasonal treats.
McDonald’s brings back Boo Buckets
McDonald’s brings back its Boo Buckets starting October 21. The pails, which have been part of the chain’s Halloween promotions since the 1980s, return with five new designs: Ghost, Pumpkin, Goblin, Cat, and Zombie.
The buckets are offered with Happy Meals and come with Halloween-themed stickers, allowing children to personalize their appearance. The designs showcase expressive faces and vibrant colors, intended to function as both packaging and reusable trick-or-treat containers.
The popularity of the Boo Buckets has kept them in circulation for decades. McDonald’s notes that the buckets are available only while supplies last, which has led to high demand in previous years.
Burger King’s Monster Menu
Burger King has launched its Monster Menu for October. The chain is calling the promotion “Do the Monster Mash,” and says it will run at participating U.S. restaurants.
The Monster Menu includes:
Jack-O-Lantern Whopper: The iconic flame-grilled Whopper®, stacked with American cheese, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, pickles, ketchup, and mayo, on a striking Jack O’ Lantern orange bun topped with black sesame seeds
Vampire Nuggets: Crispy chicken nuggets shaped like vampire fangs and bats served in a carton designed as a coffin, perfect for dipping and sharing with your coven. These are available as part of the King Jr Meal or à la carte.
Mummy Mozzarella Fries: Mozzarella sticks in a limited-edition mummy-themed box, served with marinara sauce.
Franken-Candy Sundae: Creamy vanilla soft serve topped with a franken-mix of OREO cookie crumbles, purple franken-candy syrup, and purple and green popping candy
Starting Oct. 13, the chain will also sell Halloween buckets in participating restaurants, until supplies last. “This year, we’ve dialed up the fun and flavor, not only with our ‘Monster Menu’ line-up complete with themed menu innovation, packaging, and a special crown, but also with collectible buckets and Scooby-Doo toys – creating even more experiences for everyone”, said Joel Yashinsky, Chief Marketing Officer, Burger King US&C.
Burger King is marketing the menu as a nationwide release at participating restaurants. The promotion is connected to Halloween week but will run for the entire month of October.
Shake Shack’s Scary Deals All October
Shake Shack is offering delicious scary deals all October. The chain has confirmed that each week in October features a new deal available via its mobile app and in-store. The promotion applies only at participating U.S. locations (excluding airports, stadiums, arenas, travel plazas, and museums).
The first offer runs from October 1 to 11. Customers can buy one SmokeShack and get another free. Customers can use the promo code SPOOKY when ordering in the Shack App or at the kiosks.
Additional deals will follow on October 12 and October 22. Shake Shack says the latter offers will cover different sandwiches, although details are not public yet.
The program is structured to encourage multiple visits, with offers rotating on a weekly basis. Shake Shack announced that the deals are available nationwide and will remain in effect until the end of the month.
Krispy Kreme Halloween treats
Krispy Kreme has launched its Halloween Trick-or-Treat Collection. The offer includes doughnuts decorated with designs such as monsters and pumpkins. Each doughnut is topped with seasonal icing and sprinkles in orange, black, green, and purple.
The Halloween-specific doughnuts include:
Jack-O-Lantern Doughnut: An Original Glazed doughnut topped with orange buttercream and decorated like a pumpkin face.
Candy Bag Doughnut: A doughnut topped with chocolate buttercream, drizzled with caramel, and finished with candy pieces.
Cookies and Skreme House Doughnut: A delicious doughnut filled with decadent Cookies & Kreme™ filling and dipped in rich chocolate icing, then topped with crunchy silver chocolate cookies.
Spooky Sprinkle Doughnut: An original glazed doughnut in green, covered with Halloween-colored sprinkles in purple, black, and orange.
The collection is sold individually or in themed dozens. Customers also receive limited-edition Halloween packaging when purchasing multiple doughnuts.
Cold Stone Creamery’s Treat or Treat menu
Cold Stone Creamery brought back its Treat or Treat Creations for October, featuring delicious flavors and fun toppings. The limited-time menu includes three Halloween items:
Boo Batter Ice Cream: Boo Batter Ice Cream mixed with Kit Kat bars, Halloween Oreo cookies, and M&M’s Milk Chocolate Candies.
Boo Batter Ice Cream Taco: Boo Batter Ice Cream wrapped in an orange waffle taco, dipped in chocolate, and finished with spooky sprinkles.
Witches’ Boo Shake: A shake made with Boo Batter Ice Cream, Halloween Oreo cookies, and spooky sprinkles.
The desserts are available at participating U.S. locations through October 31.
More seasonal flavors are likely to follow as other chains release late-month specials. We make sure to keep you posted!
Leave a Reply