King of Burgers Tries Queen of Fresh Menu

New menu items at have prompted a bit of non-burger buzz. Move over, burgers, and pass the salad dressing because for the first time in its 58-year history, leaders of the king of burger fast-food restaurants are instead focusing on chicken, salads and frosty beverages, according to multiple sources, including AOL's HuffPost Food.

Carrie Busken, general manager for the , said they started offering new menu items on April 2, after preparing for three weeks prior.

"These new choices are becoming popular really fast," Busken said. "Come in and try them; they're really good."

Among Burger King's 10 new menu items are:

[Salads]

• Chicken BLT Garden Fresh Salad; Calories: 510 (with grilled chicken and dressing; add 180 for crispy chicken).
• Chicken Caesar Garden Fresh Salad; Calories: 490 (with grilled chicken and dressing; add 180 for crispy chicken).
• Chicken, Apple and Cranberry Garden Fresh Salad; Calories: 520 (with grilled chicken and dressing; add 180 for crispy chicken).

[Beverages]

• Mocha Frappé; Calories: 200 (medium size).
• Strawberry Banana Smoothie; Calories: 310 (medium size)
• Caramel Frappé; Calories: 200 (medium size).
• Tropical Mango Smoothie; Calories: 330 (medium size).

[Chicken Sandwiches]

• Ranch Crispy Chicken Wrap; Calories: 370.
• Honey Mustard Crispy Chicken Wrap; Calories: 370.
• Homestyle Chicken Strips; Calories: 610 (five strips).

Busken said the apple cranberry salad and chicken wraps became quick favorites. "In the mornings, it's all about the frappés. And customers order the smoothies at lunch and during evenings."

She said they will have additional healthy alternatives to the fried chicken for the wraps in a couple of weeks.

The new move is being called Burger King's biggest menu expansion since the chain was started in 1954. Yet some industry sources purport BK is really just following competitors.

The new menu offerings are part of Burger King's attempt to abandon its main courtship of young men, who were once the lifeblood of the fast food industry but were hard hit by the U.S. economic downturn, according to one HuffPost Food article. Competitors went after new customers with breakfast items and healthier fare, but Burger King let its menu get stale, states the article. As a result, "Burger King for the first time was edged out by Wendy's last year as the nation's No. 2 burger chain. McDonald's solidified its hold on No. 1."