Taco Bell to release Cheez-It collab items nationwide

(KTLA) — Two “cheezy” items that are years in the making will finally hit menus at nationwide Taco Bell locations.

Fans can try the Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme and the Big Cheez-It Tostada when they are released June 6. The unique culinary innovations from Cheez-It and Taco Bell come two years after the items were tested at the chain’s Irvine, California, location.

Both menu items include a supersized Cheez-It cracker 16 times larger than the original and developed specifically for these redesigned versions of fan-favorite items.

Here’s what the new menu lineup includes:

• Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme: Like its original counterpart, this Crunchwrap Supreme includes seasoned beef, warm nacho cheese sauce, crisp lettuce, cool reduced-fat sour cream and diced tomatoes, but the typical tostada shell is replaced with a Big Cheez-It cracker before being wrapped inside a tortilla that’s grilled to go.
• Big Cheez-It Tostada: The Big Cheez-It Tostada features the Big Cheez-It cracker topped with layers of Taco Bell’s seasoned beef, diced tomatoes, crisp lettuce, shredded cheese and cool reduced-fat sour cream.
• Big Cheez-It Box: This box includes the Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme, a Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, regular-sized Nacho Fries and a medium fountain drink.

The new items will be sold at suggested prices of $3.99 to $8.99. Specific prices may vary by restaurant.

“This collaboration isn’t just about bringing together two iconic brands; it’s about taking the spirit of fan innovation to create something truly larger than life,” said Liz Matthews, Taco Bell’s global chief food innovation officer.

“We’re thrilled to launch this exciting partnership nationwide and offer fans a whole new way to experience the classic cheesy and crunchy flavors they love from Taco Bell and Cheez-It.”

While the items will have a national rollout on June 6, Taco Bell Rewards members can get exclusive access to the new menu items through the Taco Bell app leading up to then.

Is fast food a luxury now?

The rollout comes as more Americans say they find fast food too expensive. A recent survey of 2,000 adults found that 8 out of 10 said buying fast food was a “luxury” and nearly two-thirds said they had cut back on eating out because of higher prices.

A recent study by FinanceBuzz weighing the inflation rate at fast-food restaurants since 2014 found that Taco Bell’s prices have increased by 81%. The restaurant with the highest spike in prices was McDonald’s, at 100%, according to the study.

During the first three months of 2024, McDonald’s sales slumped as some customers opted to eat out less amid persistent inflation. The company is expected to roll out a $5 meal nationwide to boost foot traffic to the Golden Arches.

On Wednesday, McDonald’s U.S. President Joe Erlinger fought back against some viral tweets claiming that Big Mac prices have doubled since 2019. He said the social posts overstated menu price hikes, specifically mentioning reports from last summer about a Big Mac meal at a Connecticut location selling for $18. Erlinger called the price an “exception” but also vowed that McDonald’s would “remain laser-focused on value and affordability.”