How we verify leaks and sightings

Fast food news moves through leaks, test menus and reader reports. Here is how we decide what goes on the site.

Leaks

• A leak stays Rumored until the chain announces it or we see it on a real menu board.
• We look for at least two independent sources, or one source with a clear photo of official material.
• Leaked dates are labeled leaked everywhere they appear, including countdowns.

Test menu sightings

• Reader sightings go into a review queue. Nothing appears on the site automatically.
• A sighting with a menu board photo or receipt can go up after review.
• A city appears on the test map only after a verified sighting or a trusted report.

Sold-out reports

• Sold-out and in-stock reports help other readers. A single report does not change an item's status.
• When reports pile up, or the chain confirms an end date, we move the item to Ending soon or Gone.

When we get it wrong

We correct the page, add a line to the update timeline, and thank the reader who caught it.