9 Things You Never Knew About Wendy’s Baked Potato

Lester Cohen/Getty Images

Wendy’s has been rocking the baked potato since 1983

Wendy’s opened in 1969, but it wasn’t until 1983 that the baked potato made its debut. In 1985, it joined a special reduced-calorie menu alongside a tuna-stuffed tomato and a cottage cheese and pineapple salad. Only the warm, fluffy baked potato has endured. Oh, and this is how Wendy’s got its name.

LauriPatterson/Getty Images

Some flavors are now hot-stuffed history

Wendy’s once offered an Italian baked potato with sausage, meaty tomato sauce and mozzarella. The Mexican version had taco meat, picante sauce, cheese sauce and sour cream. There’s even been a baked sweet potato!

Atlantide Phototravel/Getty Images

A U.S. territory has Wendy’s most unique baked potato

While you can order a Wendy’s baked potato in Chile, Guatemala, Argentina and the Bahamas, you won’t find any flavors there that aren’t also in the United States. But in Puerto Rico, you can enjoy your spud with diced ham and ranch dressing. How’s that for something different?

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

It’s more customizable than you think

Wendy’s U.S. menu boasts five baked potato options:

• Plain
• Sour cream and chive
• Bacon cheese
• Chili & cheese
• Cheese

But you can also request any fry or burger topping to make your own creation. That means pickled jalapeños, crispy fried onions, beer cheese sauce and muenster are all on the table.

JHVEPhoto/Getty Images

Canada has fewer options

Visiting Wendy’s in Canada? You’ll have fewer baked potato choices: the chili and plain cheese offerings aren’t on the menu. How about trying the poutine instead—it’s made with skin-on fries, melty cheese curds and a rich gravy.

Jeff Greenberg/Getty Images

It’s not on the menu in Mexico

Have you ever ordered a baked potato at your favorite Mexican restaurant? Probably not, and you won’t find one on the menu at a Mexican Wendy’s, either—only loaded fries. But you can make our Super-Stuffed Mexican Potatoes at home.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

The cheddar sauce is more than just cheese

Don’t expect to replicate a cheesy Wendy’s baked potato in your kitchen. The chain’s cheddar sauce has its color and flavor enhanced by tomato concentrate, onion juice concentrate, paprika extract and a plant-based food coloring called annatto.

john shepherd/Getty Images

It’s pretty good for you

Cheese or not, the Wendy’s baked potato is one of its healthiest menu items. The plain version has just 270 calories; it’s also an excellent source of fiber, potassium, iron and even protein.

RiverNorthPhotography/Getty Images

Wendy’s is uniquely committed to baked spuds

Wendy’s baked potatoes are wrapped in foil and baked in a convection oven for one hour. These logistics present challenges that other chains, besides the occasional Arby’s, have opted out of. Wendy’s is the only fast food restaurant to offer a baked potato nationwide.