Rōti Bets Big on Sweet Heat, Launching First-Ever Sandwich with Mike's Hot Honey

ATLANTA, GA – March 30, 2026 – Rōti Modern Mediterranean, the fast-casual chain under the Edible Brands umbrella, is making a bold play for the palates of spice and sweet lovers. The company today announced a new limited-time menu, Hot Honey Harissa, developed in a high-profile collaboration with the viral sensation Mike's Hot Honey®. The launch is headlined by the chain's first-ever sandwich served on a brioche bun, a significant departure from its signature pitas and bowls, and is accompanied by the debut of crispy golden fries.

This strategic move sees Rōti fusing the familiar, bold spice of North African harissa with the wildly popular sweet-heat of chili-infused honey, creating a flavor profile designed to capture a broader market and energize its existing customer base. The new menu is available across all Rōti locations in a variety of formats, including a sandwich, bowl, wrap, pita, and salad.

Riding the "Swicy" Wave

Rōti's latest menu innovation is a calculated entry into the dominant "swicy" (sweet and spicy) flavor trend that has swept the American foodservice industry. Hot honey, in particular, has transitioned from a niche ingredient to a mainstream powerhouse. According to food industry research firm Datassential, hot honey is in the "Proliferation stage" of its menu adoption cycle, meaning it's well-established and still growing. The flavor has seen a meteoric rise, with its presence on U.S. restaurant menus growing by nearly 230% over the past four years.

Industry data projects the momentum will continue, with menu penetration expected to climb significantly by 2027. Rōti joins a long list of major quick-service and fast-casual players that have successfully capitalized on the trend, often through partnerships with Mike's Hot Honey. Brands like McDonald's, Pizza Hut, and Wingstop have all launched successful limited-time offers (LTOs) featuring the condiment, proving its ability to drive sales and generate consumer excitement. By aligning with Mike's Hot Honey, Rōti is following a well-trodden path to success, leveraging the condiment's brand recognition and built-in fan base.

"Rōti's new menu showcases how versatile hot honey can be," said Mike Kurtz, Founder of Mike's Hot Honey, in a press release. "There's something about that sweet heat that enhances bold flavors like harissa and keeps you coming back for another bite. We're excited to partner with the team to bring something new and flavorful to their guests."

Beyond the Bowl: A Strategic Evolution

The Hot Honey Harissa launch signifies more than just a new flavor for Rōti; it marks a pivotal evolution in the brand's menu strategy. The introduction of the Hot Honey Harissa Chicken Sandwich is the most significant development, moving the brand "beyond the bowl" and into the highly competitive sandwich category. Served on a toasted brioche bun with crunchy purple cabbage, tangy pickles, and a creamy mayo also infused with the hot honey harissa sauce, the sandwich is designed to appeal to customers seeking a more indulgent, handheld meal.

This expansion is complemented by the addition of crispy golden fries, which can be ordered as a side, a combo item, or even as a base for any bowl. These new offerings position Rōti to compete more directly not only with its Mediterranean rivals but also with a wider array of fast-casual competitors where sandwiches and fries are standard fare. In the fast-casual Mediterranean segment, dominated by the rapidly expanding Cava, Rōti's move to diversify its menu could be a key differentiator, attracting customers who might not have considered the brand before.

"We're always looking to push our flavors forward while staying true to the Mediterranean roots that define the Rōti brand," stated Angela Johnson, Chief Marketing Officer at Edible Brands. "Hot honey is one of the most exciting flavor trends of the moment...and pairing it with harissa creates a combination that feels both familiar and globally inspired."

Innovation from Within

Adding a compelling human-interest layer to the corporate strategy, the concept for Rōti's first sandwich originated not in a corporate test kitchen, but from one of its own team members. The Hot Honey Harissa Chicken Sandwich was created by Chef Manny McCarter, a longtime Rōti employee based in Chicago, whose recipe won an internal company-wide culinary competition.

According to the company, McCarter designed the sandwich to add a more indulgent option to the menu while retaining the bold Mediterranean flavors the brand is known for. This grassroots innovation story highlights a company culture that encourages creativity from its frontline employees. While McCarter's sandwich was the anchor, the broader Hot Honey Harissa menu lineup was developed by Chef Courtney Bufford-Hughes, Edible Brands' Director of Culinary Innovation, marking her first LTO since joining the team earlier in the year. This blend of employee inspiration and expert culinary execution demonstrates a multi-pronged approach to product development.

As Johnson noted, "Chef Manny's winning sandwich brings that idea to life and is a great example of the creativity coming directly from our restaurants."

A Menu Forged in Sweet and Spicy Fire

The limited-time menu offers customers multiple ways to experience the new flavor profile. In addition to the flagship sandwich, the lineup includes:

• Hot Honey Harissa Bowl: Grilled chicken with the new sauce served over saffron rice with cucumbers, sumac tomatoes, pickled onions, feta, and a variety of sauces.
• Hot Honey Harissa Wrap: The sauced chicken in a warm laffa wrap with purple cabbage, pickles, and feta.
• Hot Honey Harissa Pita: A similar build to the wrap, served in a classic warm pita with garlic sauce.
• Hot Honey Harissa Salad: The chicken served over mixed greens with fresh vegetables, feta, and a citrus vinaigrette.

The full Hot Honey Harissa menu and the new fry offerings are now available at all Rōti Modern Mediterranean locations for a limited time. Customers can place orders in restaurants, through the Rōti mobile app, or online at the company's website.