# Chipotle Honey Chicken Melts Firehouse Subs Has a New Smokin' Honey Chicken Melt and Steak Melt By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2026-07-10 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smokin-honey-chicken-melt References: [brandeating](https://www.brandeating.com/2026/07/firehouse-subs-new-smokin-honey-melts.html)  Firehouse Subs is getting in on the [hot honey craze](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hot-honey-platform) with two spicy new creations: the Smokin' Honey Chicken Melt and Smokin' Honey Steak Melt. Available for a limited time from participating locations nationwide, each of the new melts is made with a honey chipotle sauce that the brand describes as "sweet, smoky, and a little spicy." Alongside the sauce, the sandwiches feature either sliced grilled chicken breast or flame-seared [USDA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/firehouse-smokin-triple-stack) Choice prime rib, along with melted provolone cheese, brown sugar-caramelized onions, and red and green bell peppers, all served on the [Firehouse Subs'](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hot-sauce-bar) signature top-sliced toasted roll. You can also pair your melt with the brand's new Cookies & Creme Cookie, which is a limited-edition blond cookie featuring white creme chips and chocolate sandwich cookie pieces stuffed throughout. Image Credit: Firehouse Subs ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.5/10 - Popularity: 52% | Activity: 60% | Freshness: 84% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Hot Honey Sandwiches:** Sweet-heat flavor profiles are expanding beyond wings and pizza into handheld meals, creating room for limited-time menu items that balance familiarity with bold spice. - **Premium Melt Mashups:** Layered sandwiches with steak, chicken, melted cheese, and caramelized vegetables signal demand for elevated comfort foods that feel indulgent yet accessible. - **Dessert Pairing Drops:** Limited-edition cookies paired with savory launches can increase basket size by turning routine quick-service visits into seasonal treat occasions. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fast Casual Dining:** Menu innovation built around trending sauces and premium proteins can help chains differentiate in a crowded lunch and dinner market. - **Condiment and Sauce:** Honey chipotle blends reflect growing commercial interest in multifunctional sauces that deliver sweetness, smokiness, and heat across foodservice formats. - **Bakery and Desserts:** Stuffed and mix-in-heavy cookies offer brands a low-barrier way to test novelty flavors alongside core savory products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Thanksgiving-Themed Turkey Subs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thanksgiving-turkey-sub-sandwich.md) - [Sweet Heat Chicken Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hot-honey-chicken-cheese-steak.md) - [Oven-Roasted Chicken Subs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/firehouse-captains-club.md) - [Chipotle Turkey Sub Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/baja-chipotle-turkey-sub.md) - [Sweet Heat Sandwich Sauces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/subway-hot-honey-sauce.md) - [Spicy Sandwich Collaborations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hot-ones.md) - [Thanksgiving-Celebrating Sub Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/firehouse-subs-thanksgiving.md) - [Double-Patty Steakhouse Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steakhouse-char-melt.md) - [Savory Spicy-Sweet Subs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hot-honey-chicken-crispy-onion-sub.md)