Introduction
Wendy’s is one of the most popular fast food chains in the world, but there are some secrets they don’t want you to know. From the ingredients they use to the way they market their food, there are some things that Wendy’s would rather you not know. In this article, we’ll reveal 8 secrets Wendy’s doesn’t want you to know. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make healthier choices when eating at Wendy’s. So, if you’re looking for the inside scoop on Wendy’s, read on to find out what they don’t want you to know.
8 Secrets Wendy’s Doesn’t Want You to Know
Wendy’s is one of the most popular fast food chains in the United States, but there are some secrets that the company doesn’t want you to know. From the ingredients in their food to the way they treat their employees, here are 8 secrets Wendy’s doesn’t want you to know.
1. They Use Low-Quality Ingredients
Wendy’s is known for their fresh, never frozen beef, but the truth is that they use low-quality ingredients in many of their menu items. From the beef to the cheese and even the vegetables, Wendy’s is not as fresh as they claim to be.
2. They Don’t Pay Their Employees Fairly
Wendy’s is notorious for not paying their employees a fair wage. Many of their employees are paid minimum wage and are not given benefits or other perks that other fast food chains offer.
3. They Don’t Have a Loyalty Program
Unlike other fast food chains, Wendy’s does not have a loyalty program. This means that customers are not rewarded for their loyalty and are not given any discounts or other incentives for returning to the restaurant.
4. They Don’t Have Healthy Options
Wendy’s menu is filled with unhealthy options, from burgers and fries to milkshakes and desserts. There are very few healthy options available, making it difficult for customers to make healthy choices.
5. They Don’t Have a Gluten-Free Menu
Wendy’s does not have a gluten-free menu, making it difficult for customers with gluten allergies or sensitivities to find something to eat. They do offer some gluten-free options, but they are limited.
6. They Don’t Have a Vegan Menu
Wendy’s does not have a vegan menu, making it difficult for vegans to find something to eat. They do offer some vegan options, but they are limited.
7. They Don’t Have a Kid’s Menu
Wendy’s does not have a kid’s menu, making it difficult for parents to find something for their children to eat. They do offer some kid-friendly options, but they are limited.
8. They Don’t Have a Drive-Thru
Wendy’s does not have a drive-thru, making it difficult for customers who are in a hurry to get their food quickly. They do offer a walk-up window, but it is not as convenient as a drive-thru.
When we’re heading to the drive-through, we usually want our food fast, hot, and tasty. We’re not really thinking about how it got into our hands so quickly, or the ramifications of such speed. We’re too busy trying not to let anyone see us inhaling burgers and slurping down shakes to worry about how our meal was prepared or if employees heard us arguing with our partner through the drive-through speaker.
But sometimes, it’s worth noting the secrets of fast-food chains, whether it’s to save a few bucks or keep our expectations in check. Not to yuck your yum, but here are some secrets Wendy’s probably would like to keep under wraps. And for more, check out 11 Secrets Popeyes Doesn’t Want You to Know.
(Plus, always be sure to skip the 8 Worst Fast-Food Burgers to Stay Away From Right Now.)
In a 2019 interview commemorating the chain’s 50th anniversary, Wendy Thomas revealed that before her dad died in 2002, he told her that he regretted naming the fast-food chain after her. “He said, ‘You know what? I’m sorry.’ I asked him what he meant. He explained, ‘I should’ve just named it after myself, because it put a lot of pressure on you.’” While she agreed that it was a lot of pressure, she said the name does have its advantages. “Sometimes if I need a reservation, it helps!”
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Wendy also revealed that her dad’s idea to open a restaurant was pretty out of the blue. She said he came home one day and announced he was going to start a restaurant and that it was only going to serve hamburgers. “He wanted a character, because he worked for the Colonel at Kentucky Fried Chicken and knew how much that persona mattered. He said, ‘Wendy, pull your hair up in pigtails.’ So, I did. He got his camera and took pictures of me and my sister and said, ‘Yep, it’s going to be Wendy’s Old-Fashioned Hamburgers.’ That was it. There was no marketing research, no nothing. Just boom. That’s it.”
Related: Wendy’s Is Launching a New Burger for the Summer
According to a shift manager at Wendy’s who posted on Reddit, “The only thing that I wouldn’t eat myself is the chili. The meat comes from the leftover meat on the grill that dries out. It’s then cut up, frozen, and bagged for later use in the chili. It’s not unhealthy and it won’t make you sick or anything, it just doesn’t quite sit right with me.”
A former Wendy’s employee chimed in on Reddit to say that peak hour was the best time to order at the restaurant. “All stations were manned by the fastest and most experienced employees during the lunch rush. We’d be running that place like a machine. Fresh food was constantly being made and sold so everything was straight out of the fryer or fresh off the grill and it was rare to have a customer wait over 2 minutes.”
Another former employee took to Reddit to say that bacon is the “easiest thing ever to make, but if somebody turns off the timer without telling you (as is often the case) then say hello to burned bacon. And bacon is one of the more expensive products, so unless it looks like it was cooked in the fires of hell, y’all gonna get some crispy bacon.”
Related: 13 Fun Facts About Wendy’s You Never Knew
Former Wendy’s employee Kayla Blanton penned an article for INSIDER to state a fast-food open secret: the mic is always on in the drive-through. “When you pull up to the speaker in a drive-thru lane, your car sets off a sensor that turns on the microphone. As long as your car is triggering that sensor, the external microphone stays on. So yeah, they can hear you talking to your mom on the phone, or complaining about the line in front of you. So be nice.”
Related: 12 Controversial Secrets of Restaurant Chains You Never Knew
Blanton also mentioned that there’s nothing “fresh-squeezed” about the restaurant’s lemonade, despite the fact that there are fresh lemon slices in the display pitcher. “Where I worked, they were just for show. I hate to break it to you, but the lemonade we would make at my store was just about as ‘fresh’ as the powder you mix with water at home. And it calls for a ton of white sugar—like, a ton. So think about that the next time you go for a large.”
Related: 112 Most Popular Sodas Ranked By How Toxic They Are
Unlike a Starbucks Frappuccino, a Wendy’s Frosty-ccino is not blended. While it’s delicious, it’s more like an iced coffee. And despite being named after Wendy’s signature frozen dessert, the Frosty, there’s no Frosty texture. While you might think that this drink is somewhat like a coffee float, it’s actually just cold brew and unfrozen Frosty “mix” (aka Frosty creamer)—at least, according to a former Wendy’s employee.
Discover more secrets from your favorite restaurants:
11 Secrets Texas Roadhouse Doesn’t Want You to Know
20 McDonald’s Secrets Employees Don’t Want You to Know
11 Secrets Arby’s Doesn’t Want You to Know
Julien Perry