13 Facts About Wendy's You Never Knew

Wendy's: Beyond Baconators and Frosties

You may love your Baconator and drown your fries in a Frosty, but who is the Twitter-savvy fast-food behemoth behind the famous red-haired mascot?

With our insider guide to Wendy's, get ready to have your taste senses tantalized. We'll unearth fascinating details that might just make your next meal better:

Yes, you have dipped your French fries in a Frosty and enjoyed a Baconator. However, how much of Wendy's do you actually know? The Twitter-savvy fast-food restaurant has a lengthy history, as does its red-pigtailed mascot.

These interesting facts about Wendy that you may not have known could add even more flavor to your next meal.

There's vanilla in the chocolate Frosty

You're not incorrect if you've noticed that the chocolate Frosty isn't as rich as some other chocolate-flavored goodies. Vanilla was present in the chocolate Frosty and existed even prior to Wendy's serving vanilla Frosty desserts independently.

Customers get the best of both worlds from the black-and-white flavor combination, which also prevents the chocolate flavor from becoming overbearing.

The first Wendy's location was in Columbus, Ohio

Dave Thomas opened the first Wendy's in 1969 , not knowing the fast-food empire he'd start with those square patties.

Wendy's once had iconic training videos 

Wendy's wants to disprove your notion that learning how to pour beverages or flip burgers at the restaurant would be enjoyable. You'll be thinking about the "grill skills" video and the tune "cold drinks" the entire day.

Wendy's was named for Dave Thomas' daughter

The restaurant was named after her by the founder of the franchise, although he reportedly later regretted the choice. The restaurant's name "put a lot of pressure" on Thomas's daughter, he said in a blog post shortly before his death.

Chili was on the original menu

You could assume that years after the establishment of the burger chain, Wendy's added chili to its menu. However, that side dish is equally as well-known as the burgers. There were burgers, fries, chili, and yes, the Frosty, on the original Wendy's menu.

It was noticed by many that the depicted girl's collar in Wendy's 2013 logo appears to spell out "Mom." A Wendy's representative, however, claimed to HuffPost that it was "unintentional."

Dave Thomas didn't graduate high school

Wendy's founder, Dave Thomas, didn't finish high school the first time around, but  he earned his GED at age 61 .

Wendy's sells 300 million Frosty treats a year

It's a lot of delicious frozen food. Wendy's stated in a news release for a 2019 limited-edition birthday cake Frosty flavor that it sells over 300 million Frosty treats annually.

Wendy's raises money for adoption awareness because it was important to the company's founder 

Have you ever purchased a $2 Frosty key tag in order to receive a free Frosty the following year? Not only is it a fantastic price, but the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption will benefit from the sales of the key tags. Since Thomas was adopted himself, he had a personal connection to the cause.

Wendy's doesn't cut corners—literally 

Ever ponder why the patties on Wendy's burgers are square? The reason for this, according to the chain, is that they don't skimp on quality. Additionally, the square design lets you get a close-up look at that fresh beef.

Dave Thomas worked for Harland Sanders 

Even though Wendy's and KFC are rivals these days, Dave Thomas worked for Harland Sanders long before the fast-food chicken sandwich battles. Thomas's astute business sense enabled him to turn around underperforming KFC outlets, and the proceeds from the sale of his ownership in KFC were used to launch Wendy's.

Wendy's may have invented the drive-thru

In 1971, Wendy's second location in Columbus, Ohio, debuted  what the company has called  "the first modern-day, drive-thru window." These days, it's hard to imagine the fast-food landscape without drive-thrus being a part of it.

Wendy's once had a salad bar

Apart from that, you won't find salad bars anyplace during the pandemic—you wouldn't expect to find one in a fast-food establishment, anyway. However, Wendy's "Super Bar" salad bar was truly impressive throughout the 1980s.

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Frequently asked Questions

What is the origin of Wendy's name?

Wendy's was named after the daughter of Dave Thomas, the founder of the restaurant chain.

Why are Wendy's burger patties square?

Wendy's burgers have square patties because the company claims they don't cut corners when it comes to quality. Additionally, the square shape allows customers to see that fresh beef up-close.

How many Frosty treats does Wendy's sell each year?

Wendy's sells more than 300 million Frosty treats every year.

Conclusion

With its recognizable square patties and endearing red-haired mascot, Wendy's has a humorous and heartfelt past. The chain's commitment to quality is symbolized by the square patties, while the chocolate Frosty, with its subtle vanilla flavor, has grown to be a beloved treat.

With the introduction of innovations like the drive-thru and its support of adoption awareness through the Dave Thomas Foundation, Wendy's has undoubtedly made an impact on the fast-food industry. We can now enjoy the delectable meal and feel good about helping a business that improves the neighborhood.