QUICK BITES:

Jack in the Box says the sandwich upgrade slated to begin next month [see Menu Strategies

, May 7] will be the chain's most significant improvement of that menu category since the adoption of an assemble-to-order program three years ago. Jack will also add a third size of bundled meals to the current options of Small and Large. The chain has also launched the Ultimate Berry Shake, the latest in its specialty shake line, a limited-time item made with raspberry, strawberry, and blackberry flavors and real ice cream... Caribou Coffee is touting new limited-time Coffee Coolers in Chocolate, Caramel, Espresso, Vanilla, and Mint Oreo flavors... In time for Independence Day, Dairy Queen has a limited time All-American Blizzard with red, white, and blue candies... New on the menu at Cosi is a new Chipotle Chicken sandwich with pepper jack cheese, tomato, and romaine on Cosi bread... Carl's Jr. has launched three new limited-time items with spicy flavor profiles: the Grilled Onion Bacon Cheesseburger, a burger topped with American cheese, bacon, tomato, lettuce, grilled onions, and Santa Fe sauce (a mayonnaise-based sauce with Southwest herbs and spices), priced $2.79, or $4.59 in a combo with fries and a drink; the Jalapeno Cheeseburger, with American cheese, onions, jalapenos, and Santa Fe sauce, priced at 99 cents for a single or $1.59 for a double; and the Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad, a garden salad mix with carrot sticks, celery sticks, crispy chicken breast strips, and buffalo ranch dressing, priced at $3.25... Barbecue Chicken is back at El Pollo Loco through August 11. Guests have the option of mixing the barbecue product with El Pollo's original flame-broiled chicken if they wish.