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The Real Reason Wendy’s Burgers Are Squares
Updated Dec. 18, 2019
If you haven’t noticed, Wendy’s burgers are shaped in a square instead of the standard round circle. The story starts with their “fresh, never frozen” slogan, because Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas wanted to ensure everyone saw the quality of meat sticking out of the bun. Frank Vamos, director of brand communications for the company, told Thrillist that Dave wanted everyone to “see the juiciness” of the meat.
Wendy’s isn’t afraid to show the beef
It’s also symbolic for a brand that doesn’t like to “cut corners” with their products, which the Wendy’s website claims is “really why our burgers are square.” Ever since the beginning, when Dave Thomas founded Wendy’s and hand-pattied the beef in the restaurant, the vision was to always serve customers fresh ingredients and partner with like-minded suppliers. Safety and quality are key with all Wendy’s products, and the burgers are no exception. We found (and ranked) the healthiest Wendy’s salads.
17 Wendy’s copycat recipes
Burger AmericanaGo on a burger road trip in your own backyard. Grill the patties and load them sky-high with your favorite toppings. For instance, peanut butter and bacon make them southern style; coleslaw and tomatoes,
a northern version. —Susan Mahaney, New Hartford, New York
Inspired By: Crispy Chicken NuggetsMy 3-year-old went through a chicken-nuggets-and-french-fries-only stage, so I made these golden nuggets for him. Even the grown-ups like them! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama
Caught up in a time crunch? Here's how you can bake chicken nuggets in under 30 minutes!
Slow-Cooker ChiliThis hearty slow-cooker chili can cook for up to 10 hours on low in the slow cooker. It's so good to come home to its wonderful aroma after a long day away. —Sue Call, Beech Grove, Indiana
Ground Beef Taco SaladIn spring we look for something light and refreshing on the menu after the heavier comfort food of winter; this salad is a great solution. —Muriel Bertrand, Shoreview, Minnesota
Do you know which Wendy's salads are the healthiest? Here they are, ranked.
Bacon & Swiss Chicken SandwichesI created this chicken sandwich recipe based on a meal my daughter ordered at a restaurant. She likes to dip her sandwich in the extra honey-mustard sauce. —Marilyn Moberg, Papillion, Nebraska
Cheesy Chili FriesMy family is all about chili fries, but restaurant versions pile on the calories. For a healthier approach, bake the fries and serve them with green onions and avocado. —Beverly Nowling, Bristol, Florida. If you like this, you must try the copycat version of Wendy's chili recipe.
Chicken Quinoa SaladWe pile our favorite gyro fixin’s into nutritious quinoa bowls. Our local gyro guy has a cool but spicy sauce that transforms his sandwiches. It’s a must here, too. —Leah Lyon, Ada, Oklahoma
Cheesy Stuffed Baked PotatoesThese special stuffed baked potatoes are a hit with my whole family, from the smallest grandchild on up. I prepare them up to a week in advance, wrap them well and freeze. Their flavorful filling goes so nicely with juicy ham slices. —Marge Clark, West Lebanon, Indiana
Chicken StripsHere's how to deep-fry or bake crispy, golden chicken strips, plus tons of ideas for how to serve them.
Chicken & Apple Salad with GreensMy favorite memory of eating this dish was when my mom made it for lunch on weekends when we were home from school and could have something other than "brown bag" lunches. Happy memories of childhood and late summer days just make this salad extra special. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Inspired By: Sausage & Egg BurritoThis is a great kid-friendly recipe that takes only 20 minutes to prepare and cook.—Sharon Haswell, Cheshire, Massachusetts
Inspired By: Spicy Chicken NuggetsBoth adults and adventurous kids will love these spicy chicken nuggets. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce.
Inspired By: BaconatorOur foolproof bacon cheeseburger recipe makes big, juicy, flavorful burgers with all the best toppings—crisp bacon, sharp cheddar, and fresh tomato and lettuce.
Bacon ‘n’ Egg SandwichesI came across this unique grilled combo when I was digging in my mom's recipe box. The crisp bacon, hard-boiled eggs and crunchy green onions make these cozy sandwiches look impressive when company drops by for lunch. Best of all, they're a snap to assemble. —Ann Fuemmeler, Glasgow, Missouri
The “Top Quality” mentality
Wendy’s even has a Quality Assurance (QA) department to test the quality of the products. This department is staffed with food science experts, microbiologists and nutritionists. This team has a set of principles they work by, otherwise known as their “Top Quality” mentality. These principles look at providing customers with top quality through their extensive data, food safety, auditing and more.
Ever wonder why Wendy’s is the only chain selling baked potatoes?
There’s no more beef with the beef
When customers started to complain about Wendy’s square patties (some saying that the shape made the patties look overly processed), Wendy’s made sure to have their patties look the part, with a “natural square” shape moving forward. They take “fresh, never frozen” very seriously, and want all of their customers to have zero beef with their beef.
Originally Published: December 18, 2019
