Foodie News
Pizza Hut Challenges Burger Chains with the Irresistible Cheeseburger Melt: Try It for Free!
Pizza Hut surprises burger lovers with their Cheeseburger Melt, a crispy thin crust loaded with beef, bacon, and melty cheese. Try it now!
In a surprising move, Pizza Hut has announced its entry into the burger business with the introduction of their new Cheeseburger Melt. The parmesan-crusted thin crust Melt is filled with beef, applewood-smoked bacon, onions, mozzarella, and cheddar, served with Burger Sauce on the side. Pizza Hut’s Cheeseburger Melt ditches the traditional burger bun and instead wraps all the flavors of a cheeseburger into a crispy thin crust.
To promote their new menu item, Pizza Hut is encouraging burger enthusiasts to cheat on their usual burger chain. The company is dispatching delivery drivers to certain fast-food burger chain drive-thrus, equipped with a QR code displayed on their back windows. Customers who see the cars and scan the QR code to request a better burger will be entered to receive a coupon for a free Cheeseburger Melt and a refreshing Pepsi drink.
Pizza Hut’s decision to venture into the burger business comes as a surprise, but the company is confident in their ability to deliver a superior cheeseburger experience. Lindsay Morgan, Chief Marketing Officer at Pizza Hut, expressed excitement about the brand’s foray into the burger industry, stating that they wanted to make a bold move and give burger lovers something new and delicious.
The Cheeseburger Melt is the perfect meal option for lunch or dinner, with Pizza Hut’s signature Thin N’ Crispy crust loaded with toppings and cheese and baked to melty perfection. The Melt is complemented by a dipping sauce that pairs perfectly with the individual-sized meal. In addition to the cheeseburger variety, Pizza Hut offers Melts in four other flavors: Pepperoni Lover’s, Buffalo Chicken, Chicken Bacon Parmesan, and Meat Lover’s.
Rachel Antalek, Chief Food Innovation Officer at Pizza Hut, explained that the Cheeseburger Melt provides a unique twist on traditional cheeseburgers. The Melt can be dipped into what Pizza Hut claims is the best burger dipping sauce, creating a burger and sauce experience that is unmatched.
Customers can order the Cheeseburger Melt as part of Pizza Hut’s new My Hut Box offer, which allows guests to choose between Melts or a 2-topping Personal Pan Pizza, along with a side of fries or boneless wings and a 20oz drink. The offer starts at $6.99 and is available at select Pizza Hut locations nationwide. Click here to find the closest Pizza Hut location.
*INCENTIVES AVAILABLE FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. QUANTITIES ARE LIMITED. Open to legal US residents physically residing in the 50 US/DC who are 18+ years of age. Ends at 11:59:59 pm CT on 5/20/24, or when all available Incentives are depleted (whichever comes first). A minimum of 7,350 Incentives are available. Limit one (1) Incentive per person. Other restrictions apply. For full Terms, visit thecheeseburger.com/terms.
**My Hut Box and Cheeseburger Melts are offered for a limited time only at select participating locations. My Hut Box Pricing varies based on selection. Pizza entrée includes up to 2 pizza toppings and wings side includes selection of 4 Boneless Honey BBQ or Buffalo Medium wings only. Additional charge for wing sauce. Melts come with 1 dipping sauce, no substitutions. Beverage extra. Exclusions apply.
Pizza Hut’s move into the burger business marks a new chapter for the iconic pizza brand. Pizza Hut has established itself as a leader in the digital and technology space, with over half of its transactions worldwide coming from digital orders. With their entry into the burger industry, Pizza Hut aims to provide an easy and delicious burger experience for its customers.
As a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Pizza Hut operates over 19,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. The company is committed to unlocking opportunities for its team members and communities around the world. For more information about Pizza Hut and their new Cheeseburger Melt, visit their website or follow them on social media.
PepsiCo, the parent company of Pepsi, is also involved in Pizza Hut’s venture into the burger industry. PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers worldwide, and the company generated over $91 billion in net revenue in 2023. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes popular brands such as Lay’s, Doritos, Gatorade, and Quaker.
Pizza Hut’s press release, has generated excitement among fast-food aficionados. By introducing the Cheeseburger Melt, Pizza Hut aims to offer customers a distinctive and delightful burger experience. Through this bold initiative, Pizza Hut seeks to entice burger enthusiasts to explore beyond their regular burger joints and discover a new favorite cheeseburger at their pizza establishment. https://blog.pizzahut.com/pizza-hut-enters-the-burger-business-with-new-cheeseburger-melt/
https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage
Last Updated on June 23, 2026 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) Some summertime dishes are just too good to be true. This Easy Pasta Salad is simple enough to become a favorite side and filling enough to serve as a light main course. Enjoy more warm weather recipes by visiting Culinary.net.
Easy Pasta Salad
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6
- 1 pound pasta noodles of choice
- 1 can (15 ounces) peas, drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) carrots, drained
- 1 package (16 ounces) diced ham
- 1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces
- 1 package (6 ounces) cheddar cheese cubes
- 2 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 cup juice from bread butter pickles
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and place in large bowl. Add peas, carrots, ham, bacon pieces and cheese cubes.
- In separate bowl, mix mayonnaise, sugar, pickle juice, vinegar and mustard. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour mixture over pasta and mix well.
- Refrigerate 1-2 hours before serving.
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Explore the Food and Drink section on STM Daily News for timely coverage of culinary trends, beverage news, seasonal recipes, and food-focused community stories
(Feature Impact) A healthy brain goes beyond reading exercises and completing puzzles – it extends to the kitchen, too. Emerging nutritional science is clear that what people eat doesn’t just fuel the body; it shapes memory, mood and cognitive health.
Among the foods you can include in your diet to give your brain a boost are peanuts and peanut butter, staples valued not only for their convenience but also for their cognitive benefits. In fact, a study published in the “Journal of the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease” found adults 60-80 years old who did not eat peanuts and peanut butter regularly were 30-50% more likely to perform poorly on tests measuring learning, memory, language, processing motor speed and attentiveness compared to those who did consumer peanuts and peanut butter.
It’s not just the older generation that can benefit. According to research published in “Clinical Nutrition,” a study of college students ages 18-33 showed consumption of peanuts and peanut butter was associated with improved memory function and decreased anxiety, depression and stress.
Consider this key information from the Georgia Peanut Commission before your next meal planning session.
Nutrients that Give the Brain a Boost
Despite their small stature, peanuts pack a nutrition punch. Their unique blend of various vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds includes:
- Niacin, which can slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, according to the “Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry”
- Vitamin E, found to promote healthy brain aging and delay cognitive decline
- Resveratrol, believed to be beneficial in fighting against Alzheimer’s disease and other nerve degenerating diseases, per the “Journal of Biological Chemistry”
- P-coumaric acid, an antioxidant that appears to target the neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate mood, stress and anxiety
Peace of MIND
Peanuts are included in the MIND diet, a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, which specifically includes foods shown to benefit the brain.
Adding peanuts to your menu can be a breeze. Look no further than a powerful main course like Crunchy and Creamy Cold Green Pea and Peanut Salad, a perfect accompaniment at potlucks and cookouts as an easy side or light main course. Make breakfast-on-the-go part of your daily commute with Flourless Blueberry Muffins that require just five ingredients, including creamy peanut butter, or add a pinch of protein to snack time with Protein Balls that can be refrigerated until hunger strikes.
Brain Food for Thought
Supporting your brain starts with the right nutrition, and evidence makes clear peanuts and peanut butter should be top-of-mind as you head to the grocery store. For help getting started, find more recipes and nutritional information by visiting GAPeanuts.com.
Flourless Blueberry Muffins
Recipe courtesy of The Peanut Institute
Servings: 12
- 2 bananas
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup blueberries
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease muffin pan.
- In blender or food processor, combine bananas, peanut butter, eggs and baking powder; blend until smooth. Fold in blueberries by hand.
- Pour mixture into muffin tin. Bake 12-15 minutes.
- Store in airtight container up to 3 days.
Nutritional information per serving: 155 calories, 10 g carbohydrates, 31 mg cholesterol, 2 g saturated fat, 9 g unsaturated fat, 2 g fiber, 6 g protein, 98 mg sodium, 5 g sugar.
Crunchy and Creamy Cold Green Pea and Peanut Salad
Recipe courtesy of The Peanut Institute
Servings: 8
Dressing:
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
Salad:
- 1 package (20 ounces) green peas, frozen
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1/3 cup red onions, chopped
- 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
- 6 slices thick cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 pinch salt, or to taste
- 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- To make dressing: In small mixing bowl, whisk sour cream, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar and sugar.
- To make salad: In large mixing bowl, combine frozen green peas, celery and onion. Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
- Before serving, stir in roasted peanuts and crumbled bacon. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Nutritional information per serving: 230 calories, 17 g carbohydrates, 12 mg cholesterol, 3 g saturated fat, 9 g unsaturated fat, 5 g fiber, 11 g protein, 249 mg sodium, 6 g sugar, 1 g added sugar.
Protein Balls
Recipe courtesy of The Peanut Institute
Servings: 24
- 1 cup chunky peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cups quick oats
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup dried, chopped cranberries
- 1/8 teaspoon iodized salt
- 1/4 cup water
- Using stand mixer, combine peanut butter, vanilla, honey, quick oats, flaxseed, coconut, cranberries, salt and water; mix until well combined.
- Form dough into 1-ounce portions and refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.
Nutritional information per serving: 130 calories, 7 g fat, 14 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein, 2 g fiber, 60 mg sodium.
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STM Daily News’ Food and Drink section highlights the stories, trends, flavors, and events shaping today’s food culture. From recipes to restaurant news, it keeps readers connected to what’s fresh and worth tasting.
Food and Beverage
McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie Returns June 23—A Limited-Time Summer Throwback
McDonald’s is bringing back its OG Fried Apple Pie starting June 23 for a limited time at participating restaurants nationwide—plus a 35-foot pie photo stop on Route 66 near Chicago.
Summer tends to fly by, but certain bites slow time down. McDonald’s is betting its Fried Apple Pie is one of them.
According to a new announcement from McDonald’s USA, the OG Fried Apple Pie returns to participating restaurants nationwide starting June 23 for a limited time. The classic dessert is described as featuring a signature filling made with 100% American-grown apples, wrapped in the same golden, crunchy, flaky fried crust longtime fans remember.
Why the Fried Apple Pie comeback matters
McDonald’s is framing the return as a nostalgia play with a patriotic twist, tying the seasonal rollout to the lead-up to America’s 250th birthday. If you grew up hearing people talk about “the fried pies,” this is the moment they mean: hot, sweet, and unmistakably old-school.
And if you’ve never tried it? McDonald’s is positioning June 23 as your entry point—an “if you know, you know” menu item that’s meant to feel like a summer memory in dessert form.
A classic that started as a family recipe
The company also shared a bit of origin story: the Fried Apple Pie traces back to the 1960s, when East Tennessee McDonald’s Owner/Operator Litton Cochran created a fried apple hand pie that became a local favorite. Over time, it made its way into McDonald’s history.
Eric Cochran, a McDonald’s Owner/Operator, said the pie is one of those foods that “take you back,” and credited his grandparents—Litton and Jo Cochran—with helping shape the recipe when McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc was looking for a dessert that would resonate with customers.
The 35-foot Fried Apple Pie (yes, really)
To make the return feel like a road-trip moment, McDonald’s is also unveiling a giant roadside installation: The McDonald’s Largest Fried Apple Pie, a 35-foot version of the dessert placed along Route 66—built to be a photo stop.
Fans can snap a selfie and pick up a McDonald’s souvenir map at:
- 920 N Broadway St., Joliet, IL 60435 (just outside Chicago)
If you’re near Chicagoland, here are the dates
- Kickoff event (June 23): 3:30–6:00 p.m. CT, with live music, an ice-cold Coca-Cola, and complimentary Arch Cards
- June 23–July 4: The installation remains up through the holiday stretch
How to get it
McDonald’s says the Fried Apple Pie will be available all day at participating restaurants nationwide, and can also be ordered via the McDonald’s App, while supplies last.If your summer plans include a long drive, a late-night snack run, or just chasing a little nostalgia, June 23 might be the date to circle. Some menu items are built for convenience—this one is built for the detour.
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