Carl's Jr.'s new Star Energy lineup mixes White Monster with Sprite, Fanta and Powerade in 24-ounce cups. The companies call it the first Monster Ultra drink menu at a fast-food burger chain.
Carl's Jr. is getting into the fast-food energy drink game, and it brought Monster with it.
The burger chain and Monster Energy announced Star Energy on Thursday, Nov. 12, Dexerto reported. It's a limited-time lineup of six 24-ounce drinks built on Monster Energy Zero Ultra, the white can fans call "White Monster."
The companies say it's the first Monster Ultra drink lineup at a quick-service burger restaurant. Half the menu comes "dirty," which in 2026 drink speak means topped with cold foam.
Carl's Jr. chief marketing officer Burge Diemer called it "a major moment for Carl's Jr." Monster's Jordi Gayola, chief marketing officer for the Americas, said there's "a new star on the Carl's Jr. menu."
What are the Carl's Jr. Monster Energy drinks?
All six start with Monster Zero Ultra, then add a fountain drink. Here's the lineup:
Berry Breeze: Monster Zero Ultra and Powerade
Dirty Berry Breeze: Berry Breeze topped with cold foam
Strawberry Splash: Monster Zero Ultra, Sprite and strawberry syrup
Dirty Strawberry Splash: Strawberry Splash topped with cold foam
Orange Blast: Monster Zero Ultra and Fanta Orange
Dirty Orange Blast: Orange Blast topped with cold foam
Dexerto said the strawberry syrup is artificially flavored. Participating Carl's Jr. locations will also sell 12-ounce cans of Monster Zero Ultra if you'd rather skip the mixology.
How much do the Carl's Jr. Monster drinks cost?
Carl's Jr. hasn't posted prices yet, and the drinks weren't on its newsroom page as of Thursday night. Prices at Carl's Jr. usually vary by location anyway.
The deal is also limited-time, with no end date announced. Dexerto's report only mentions Carl's Jr., not sister chain Hardee's, so Hardee's fans in the South and Midwest shouldn't count on seeing Star Energy yet.
Quick parent note: these are caffeinated energy drinks, so the Strawberry Splash is for the grown-up in the driver's seat, not the kid in the booster seat.
Why is every fast-food chain selling energy drinks?
Carl's Jr. is showing up to a crowded party. Fast-food chains keep mixing energy drinks into fountain sodas, and Dexerto noted that several of them went with Red Bull.
McDonald's is the biggest name on that list. It has added Red Bull drinks to its menu, including cranberry Red Bull and Sprite drinks for the holidays, which we covered in October.
Carl's Jr. went with Monster instead, and with the zero-sugar Ultra can specifically. Gayola said the tie-up is meant to introduce Monster to new customers through different flavor combos. Translation: people who order a burger and a Sprite might now order a burger and a Sprite with a jolt.
Has Carl's Jr. sold Monster before?
Yes. This is a reunion, not a first date. In August 2009, Carl's Jr. and Hardee's parent CKE Restaurants put Monster Energy drinks on the permanent menu at more than 3,000 restaurants, BevNET reported. Carl's Jr. started selling the cans right away, with Hardee's company stores following that month.
The difference now is the fountain mixing. In 2009, you got a can. In 2026, you get a 24-ounce cup with cold foam on top.
What else is new at Carl's Jr.?
The chain has been busy this fall. In September, Carl's Jr. switched to cooked-to-order burgers at all of its restaurants, a push it calls the Burger Revolution. Burgers now start cooking after you order, instead of sitting in a holding cabinet.
The first limited-time burger in that push was the Angus Maximus, two charbroiled Angus patties on a toasted brioche bun, for $5.99 at participating locations.
Carl's Jr. has more than 1,000 U.S. restaurants and locations in 24 countries, the company says. It also celebrated its 85th birthday this summer with an $85,000 fan video contest.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Dexerto (Nov. 12, 2026), the Star Energy announcement, drink lineup and executive quotes
BevNET (Aug. 3, 2009), Carl's Jr. and Hardee's first Monster Energy deal
Carl's Jr. (Sept. 9, 2026), cooked-to-order burgers and the Angus Maximus
Carl's Jr. (July 17, 2026), restaurant counts and the 85th anniversary contest
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