10 Fast Food Items that Were a Total Failure

The fast food industry is one of the most competitive industries in the nation, and tough competition calls for innovation. But sometimes fast food restaurants have gone a little too far when trying to find the next big hit. Not every "innovative" new product is a hit with customers, and some are downright flops. Here are 10 fast food items that were a total failure:

1. McDonald's Hula Burger

   McDonald's Hula Burger was originally intended to be a "Lent-friendly" burger; that is, a burger with no meat. What was between the buns, you ask? Why, a pineapple, of course! Needless to say, this odd combination wasn't too big of a hit with consumers and the concept was quickly scrapped in favor of more conventional products.

2. Wendy's Superbar

   The Wendy's Superbar was a hybrid salad bar/buffet that the franchise set up in more of its restaurants throughout the country. The problem is that the super bar isn't exactly fast food, and the slowdown doesn't exactly result in higher quality food. By the early 1990s, the Superbar became extinct, though this angered many people who had grown accustomed to the bar. Websites have been dedicated to lobbying Wendy's to bring back the Superbar. But, only time will tell if the campaign will work

3. McDonald's McSpaghetti

   Believe it or not, McDonald's has dabbled in the realm of fine Italian cuisine with the introduction of McSpaghetti. Reviews of this dish were mixed in the United States and it was quickly discontinued, but other countries throughout the world, such as the Philippines, still offer the strange dish on their menu, often paired with a fried chicken leg.

4. McDonald's DLT

   What happens when you separate the "cold side" of the burger (lettuce, tomato, and pickle) from the "hot side" of the burger (meat and cheese), and force the consumer to put the two together? You get a magical fast food failure of epic proportions! That's exactly what happened with McDonald's "DLT" burger, which was the product of millions of dollars of research, development, and marketing.

5. Taco Bell Frito Burrito

   This may not sound like a complete failure if you're from the Soutwest, but this Frito pie burrito didn't resonate with the rest of America. Taco Bell's Frito burrito actually gained a serious cult following, but its sales immediately slumped due to the awkward pairing of Mexican style food with Frito's. Loyal fans have persevered, however, and Taco Bell appears to be re-launching a similar burrito with flamin' hot Fritos inside. We'll have to wait and see if this pairing works out better than the original.

6. McDonald's Arch Deluxe

   Once the "signature" hamburger for McDonald's, the Arch Deluxe was intended to be an "adult" version of the quarter pounder on a signature bun with specialized ingredients. After all, what's more adult than "secret" mustard? An executive chef, world-renowned marketing guru, and 300 million dollars later, McDonald's launched the Arch Deluxe campaign. To their dismay, the Arch Deluxe just didn't taste very good, and this led to a very short shelf life.

7. Jack in the Box Frings

   It sounds simple enough: rather than offering only French fries or onion rings, just add both items to a single serving box and sell it. In the spirit of combination, why not call the item "frings"? That's exactly what Jack in the Box decided to do. The public, however, didn't enjoy the pun as much as expected. Frings have been on and off of Jack in the Box's menu for years, and it doesn't look like they're coming back anytime soon.

8. McDonald's McLobster

   The McLobster has been a source of controversy and rumors for many years now. Yes, even though it's a sandwich, the mystery surrounding its occasional availability has left consumers wondering if this menu item has what it takes to make it on the mainstream market. McDonald's recently shed new light on the controversy, however, but stating that the McLobster would not become a main staple of its menu due to poor reviews and the expense of producing it.

9. Taco BellBeefer

   What happens when you take a Taco Bell taco, remove the contents, and put them on a hamburger bun? No, it's not a sloppy joe, it's the Taco Bell BellBeefer, and in the '70s and '80s, it was Taco Bell's key to competing with hamburger-based fast food chains. Like some other items on this list, the BellBeefer had a rabid and loyal fanbase, but unfortunately it just didn't have the staying power necessary to make it a staple item on Taco Bell's menu.

10. Burger King Veggie Burger

    You heard right, Burger King offers a "veggie burger." Is it any good? Results are mixed, but there have been some indications that this burger is about to be the newest addition to a long list of fast food failures.

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