Yahoo Finance Arby's launches its first-ever burger made with premium American Wagyu beef
Arby's "has the meats" — and now it has its first-ever burger.
The fast food chain officially unveiled its new "Wagyu Steakhouse Burger" on Monday. The premium menu item features a 6.4 ounce single patty made of 52% American Wagyu and 48% ground beef, and is topped with American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, pickles, red onion and a special burger sauce.
Purchasers can also choose to add bacon and ranch for a more indulgent flavor profile.
"Boring burgers are a fast-food staple, so Arby’s felt compelled to raise the bar with a Wagyu steakhouse burger. Instead of focusing on making billions of mediocre burgers, we’re taking a stance on high-quality meat that deserves to be cooked properly," explained Patrick Schwing, Arby's CMO.
"As the meat experts, we’ve spent over two years of dedicated research and development to deliver a premium burger that redefines what’s possible from a drive thru. Overdone burgers are over and done," the executive continued.
Prepared using a "sous vide" style, which uses a vacuum-sealed pouch to slowly cook the meat in a temperature-controlled water bath, Arby's said the patty emerges with a crispy outer edge and slightly pink center.
The burger will be available to purchase at participating locations nationwide beginning May 23 and will be available through July 31. Pricing starts at $5.99.
Following the chicken sandwich phenomenon, burgers have now become a particular focus for fast food giants. Earlier this month, Sonic Drive-In rolled out its new big dill cheeseburger, which includes crispy pickle fries, crinkle cut pickle slices, and a dill-infused ranch sauce.
Inspire Brands — the parent company of Sonic, Arby's, and Buffalo Wild Wings — has been aggressive with its restaurants' menu innovations this year as competition in the space heats up (no pun intended.)
Last month, Buffalo Wild Wings teamed up with Doritos (PEP) for the release of a new "flaming hot" nacho wing sauce.
Meanwhile, Arby's rolled out its Diablo Dare sandwich to much fanfare at the start of the year. The sandwich came in two iterations — crispy chicken or 13-hour smoked brisket.
The savory offering, which Arby's claimed was the spiciest option on the market, included five levels of spice: ghost pepper jack cheese, fiery hot seasoning, fire-roasted jalapeños, and Diablo BBQ sauce served on a toasted red chipotle bun.
Alexandra is a Senior Entertainment and Food Reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @alliecanal8193 or email her at alexandra.canal@yahoofinance.com
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