Though the end of 2025 was bittersweet as we left behind a wave of limited time drops, fan-favorite fast-food collabs gave it a pleasant aftertaste. From SpongeBob sailing into Burger King to Sabrina Carpenter working late in Dunkin’ Donuts, each combination gives taste buds a tingling sensation.
The craze for the hottest collaborations took the world by storm. This included Sabrina’s Strawberry Daydream Refresher. This vibrant and fruity drink was introduced to the public eye on June 25th, 2025. It featured Dunkin’s signature strawberry dragonfruit base, mixed with creamy oat milk and topped with sweet cold foam. The taste is described as a nostalgic strawberries-and-cream flavor, making it feel as though she “brewed it for ya.” The elaborate advertisements and introduction for oat milk in the drink further advocated for a run to Dunkin’. The Dunkin’ Daydream Hotline also fed fans’ excitement, as personalized messages can be heard from the star, often granting free food codes. With the craze surrounding the beverage, locations began selling out quickly and had no further ingredients to back other customers. Sabrina Carpenter’s comeback with Dunkin’ Donuts truly left quite an impression.
Stealing Christmas was easy. Stealing cravings? Even easier. The Grinch crept into McDonald’s, leaving a hard-to-miss meal. The Grinch Meal featured a choice of Big Mac or 10-piece nuggets, fries with a tangy twist, a drink of your choice, and a pair of vibrant socks, all packed in a festive Happy Meal box. The meal was released on December 2nd, 2025. The fries drove many to try out the meal around the U.S., featuring “Grinch Salt.” The salt was Dill Pickle flavored and came with a “McShaker” bag to coat the fries in. The complimentary socks drew in people of all ages, decorated with colorful figures which included Max, Cindy Lou Who, and The Grinch. The socks gave one more reason to sled to McDonald’s. The Grinch made McDonald’s fans’ hearts two sizes bigger.
Being the “Big Guy” can be a lot of work. The SpongeBob meal at Burger King truly delivers the right palate for everyone. Many SpongeBob fans wondered how the Krabby Patty would taste. For their curious fans, Burger King decided to hint at the menu item when releasing the “Bikini Bottom Bundle.” The bundle included SpongeBob’s Krabby Whopper; a Whopper with a yellow, square-shaped bun. Alongside the Whopper, Mr.Krabbs’ Cheesy Bacon Tots, Patrick’s Star-berry Shortcake Pie, and Pirate’s Frozen Pineapple Float were all included in the meal. The bundle was released on December 2nd, 2025. The tropical flavors and innovative flavors gave the bundle well-deserved attention. With the movie having just premiered, the collaboration seems like a perfect buy to pair with the adventurous film.
Speaking of films, Five Nights at Freddy’s made an incredible comeback in theaters, bringing back fans and breaking past $231 million in the box office worldwide. Similarly to the movie, Popeye’s “Freddy Fazbear Crunch Menu” also came into play, earning the affection of fans alike. The menu included garlic parmesan tenders, cheesy bites with marinara sauce, and a strawberry-flavored Cupcake Cup. The menu was released on November 17th, 2025. The garlic-parmesan flavoring, new sauce and the reference to Cupcake drove FNAF fans all over the U.S. to Popeyes. The packaging was also an eye-opener, showcasing Toy Freddy on the packaging. The meal was truly a nostalgic experience for fans and made a mark in 2025.
Overall, all of these chains had surprising collaborations, giving foodies and fans a taste of the unexpected. With mixed reviews everywhere, the only way to know now is to try them… until then, all you can do is hope to see even more tasty creations in 2026!
