Latest news with #ChargedLemonades
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Wendy's menu adds items that went terribly wrong at Panera Bread
Wendy's sits at number two in the fast-food burger race, at least in the United States, although many would think Burger King holds that spot. The Dave Thomas-founded brand has struggled to break out beyond its square burgers and the Frosty, a frozenish menu item that's not quite ice cream and not quite a shake. Related: CDC sounds alarm on American eating habits, dangers for small kids Wendy's (WEN) has had success in recent years with its signature Baconator. The calorific burger may not have the name recognition of the McDonald's Big Mac or Burger King Whopper, but it has given the company a platform that launched Baconator fries and the Breakfast Baconator. Now, as its sales have struggled, Wendy's has made a major move in a space where McDonald's has invested heavily - beverages. That's an attractive growth area because margins are high, but it's also one full of competition, and in Wendy's case, fraught with peril. The number two burger chain has opted to enter a space that cost rival quick-serve chain Panera Bread millions. Panera Bread saw multiple customers die and faced lawsuits due to its Charged Lemonades allegedly containing too much caffeine. The chain launched the Charged line in 2022 with great fanfare. "Earlier this Spring, Panera launched Charged Lemonades, with plant-based caffeine for a burst of energy. Fueled by Clean caffeine from Guarana and green coffee extract, Charged Lemonades come in three vibrant flavor combinations: Strawberry Lemon Mint, Fuji Apple Cranberry and Mango Yuzu Citrus," it shared. The company played up its caffeine content as well. "A 20 fl. oz. Charged Lemonade without ice has about the same amount of caffeine as a Panera 20 fl. oz. hot Dark Roast coffee," it added. That, however, may not have actually been true. "A 30-ounce (890ml) Charged Lemonade contains up to 390mg of caffeine, more than the combined caffeine levels of a Red Bull and Monster Energy Drink, said the lawsuit," BBC reported. Charged Lemonade also contains guarana extract, another stimulant, and the equivalent of nearly 30 teaspoons of sugar in the large size, according to the court papers. Panera pulled the Charged line in 2024. The issue with the "Charged" lemonades was that consumers had no expectations that they may be dangerous. It also did not help that Panera offers self-serve beverages and refills. Still, Wendy's seems to be taking a risk by launching a similar product line of energy fruit drinks: Cherry Limeade Sparkling Energy: Sparkling cherry limeade with Monin Brilliance Glacier Clear Natural Energy (caffeine shots).Pineapple Citrus Sparkling Energy: A fizzy Pineapple Citrus blend mixed with Monin Brilliance Glacier Clear Natural Energy. The fast-food chain has used similar "natural" wording with its new beverage line. "Wendy's Sparkling Energy drinks are iced fruit-flavored beverages that contain 80 to 120mg of caffeine (depending on the size)," it shared. Here's how that compares to other caffeinated beverages: Caffeine content of popular drinks: Coca-Cola Classic (12 oz): 34 mg caffeine Diet Coke (12 oz): 46 mg caffeine Red Bull (8.3 oz): 80 mg caffeine Monster Energy (16 oz): 160 mg caffeine Spike Shooter (8.4 oz): 300 mg caffeine Brewed Coffee (8 oz): 96 mg caffeine (range 80–135 mg) Robusta Coffee, drip-brewed (6 oz): 140–200 mg caffeine Arabica Coffee, drip-brewed (6 oz): 75–130 mg caffeine Espresso (1 oz): 63 mg caffeine "For most adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams a day - that's about two to three 12-fluid-ounce cups of coffee - as an amount not generally associated with negative effects. However, there is wide variation in both how sensitive people are to the effects of caffeine and how fast they eliminate it from the body," according to Kids and teens should avoid energy drinks Medical experts advise against energy drinks for children and teens because of the levels of sugar and caffeine, according to the American Academy of much caffeine in children and teens can cause increased heart rate, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, anxiety, and lead to sleep problems, digestive problems, and Dietary Guidelines for Americans say that drinks containing caffeine should be avoided for children younger than age 2 and beverages that contain no added sugars should be the primary choice for children and teens. Related: McDonald's CEO promises massive restaurant changes, improvements The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
NBC News
09-07-2025
- Health
- NBC News
Panera settles remaining lawsuits over its highly caffeinated Charged Lemonade
Panera Bread has settled three remaining lawsuits that it faced over its highly caffeinated Charged Lemonade, a beverage blamed for multiple deaths and permanent injuries. Plaintiffs' attorney Elizabeth Crawford, a partner at the Philadelphia law firm Kline & Specter, PC, confirmed Wednesday that 'the matters have all been resolved.' She said she could not comment any further. Panera also confirmed the legal developments, which were reported first by NBC News, but declined to answer any additional questions. Charged Lemonade made headlines in October 2023 when the parents of a 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student with a heart condition filed a lawsuit alleging that their daughter, Sarah Katz, suffered a fatal cardiac arrest after consuming a cup of the drink. Panera settled that suit last October, which was the first of at least four that were filed against the bakery-cafe chain. A second lawsuit alleged that the drink caused the death of 46-year-old Florida resident Dennis Brown after he drank three Charged Lemonades. The other two legal complaints alleged the beverage resulted in serious cardiac problems in two previously healthy people: 28-year-old Lauren Skerritt of Rhode Island, and Luke Adams, a Pennsylvania teenager whose lawsuit said he had to be resuscitated hours after he drank a Charged Lemonade. Crawford represented the plaintiffs in all four cases. Court records showed the remaining three lawsuits were listed on Monday as dismissed with prejudice, meaning the cases cannot be refiled again in the same courts. The cases had previously been scheduled to go to trial. The lawsuits had referred to Charged Lemonade as a 'dangerous energy drink' and accused Panera of failing to appropriately warn customers about its ingredients. When served without ice, a large, 30-fluid-ounce size contained 390 milligrams of caffeine — just barely under the 400 milligrams of caffeine that the Food and Drug Administration says healthy adults can safely consume in a day. Charged Lemonade also contained guarana extract, another stimulant. Panera has denied wrongdoing in court documents. Following the lawsuit over Katz's death, the chain made a number of changes, including moving the beverage behind the counter so it was no longer a self-serve offering. It also added signs cautioning that Charged Lemonade should be consumed in moderation and was not recommended for children, people sensitive to caffeine, or pregnant or nursing women. Panera removed the controversial beverage from its stores nationwide in May 2024, which it said was a part of a 'recent menu transformation.'
