Order Up!

Wendy’s. You know, the restaurant that focuses on burgers and fries, and has probably the smallest—yet best—junior frosty ever? Yeah. That one. Have you ever wondered how it became  what it is today? I hadn’t either, until recently. From grabbing a quick snack, to enjoying a full-on meal, Wendy’s has been the go-to spot since the late ’60s.

The first Wendy’s restaurant was opened on November 15th, 1969, by Dave Thomas, in Columbus Ohio. Little did Thomas know how popular this restaurant would become. One of Thomas’s most innovative ideas was the introduction of what he called the “Pick-Up Window” in 1970. This revolutionary concept drew in more customers and caused a boost in the restaurant’s popularity. In just under 100 months, Wendy’s opened its 100th location, a remarkable success for the company. Over time, Wendy’s received more and more awards, aired numerous commercials, expanded its chain, and gained an ever-growing customer base. Today, Wendy’s has around 7,166 restaurants around the world, 83% located in the U.S.

This restaurant chain has been thriving for over 60 years, and customers just keep coming back to Wendy’s for more. While great burgers and frosties remain constant, Wendy’s continues to add and make changes to its menu. In March 2020, Wendy’s launched their breakfast menu featuring items like breakfast sandwiches, burritos, and more. Then, in October 2021, Wendy’s moved to clear plastic cups from paper cups to ensure that customers could recycle them, to be more environmentally conscious.

Wendy’s has achieved many accomplishments over the years, bringing significant changes to its menu, technology, and expansion of new restaurants. It has come a long way, striving to go above and beyond to build a successful chain. From inventing the pick-up window to launching the Wendy’s app, this restaurant continues to innovate and impress. Wendy’s is truly an incredible restaurant!