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Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Iconic US fast food chain that ‘blows McDonald's out of the water' to open 42nd UK restaurant tomorrow
BURGER ME Iconic US fast food chain that 'blows McDonald's out of the water' to open 42nd UK restaurant tomorrow – see full list Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN iconic American fast food chain is opening a new restaurant tomorrow as it boost its number of UK locations. Wendy's is opening its next location in Spalding, Lincolnshire - and it will be its 42nd restaurant in the UK. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 American fast food giant Wendy's is opening a new restaurant in Spalding The chain has confirmed to The Sun that the next two restaurants to open after that will be in York and Southampton. Fast food fans will be able to get their hands on the iconic Wendy's square burgers as well as its Frosty desserts. There's also the popular Baconator which features two quarter-pound patties, two slices of cheese, six strips of bacon, mayonnaise and ketchup. Reviewers online have said it "blows McDonald's out of the water" and is "a million times better than McDonald's". Wendy's is already hugely popular in the US and has almost 6,000 locations there. It first moved across the pond in the 1980s but then closed all of its UK stores in 1999. But it returned to the UK in 2021 with branches in Reading and Oxford. Since then it has revealed plans to open 150 locations across the UK by 2028. Wendy's has previously said it's on track to open its 50th restaurant in the UK this year. It recently opened locations in Blackpool, Grays (Lakeside) and Watford. Wendy's Frosty Flavor Revolution: New Wild Fusions Unveiled Another is also set to open in Glasgow. Michael Clarke, managing director for The Wendy's Company in Europe, said previously: "We see huge potential in the UK market, with plans to add more than 150 new restaurants across the UK and surrounding countries by 2028. "This year, we will focus on accelerating our expansion efforts so more people across the UK can enjoy Wendy's craveable menu and exceptional customer hospitality. "We have a solid foundation in the market and believe we are well-positioned to accelerate our growth trajectory even further." Full list of Wendy's stores Barlborough, Tallys End, Barlborough, S43 4WP Blackpool, 60 – 64 The Promenade, Blackpool, FY1 4QU Brampton Hut - Great North Road, Brampton, Huntingdon, PE28 4NQ Brighton - 192 Western Rd, Brighton, BN1 2BA Cambridge - 56 St Andrew's St, Cambridge CB2 3DA Camden - 189 Camden High St, London, NW1 7BP Chelmsford - 9-10 High St, Chelmsford CM1 1BE Colchester - Northern Gateway, off Junction 28 of the A12, Cuckoo Farm Way Colchester – 19 – 20 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1DB Croydon - 19/20 Wellesley Rd, Croydon, CR9 1NG Derby - Unit 2, College Park, Normanton Rd, Derby DE1 2GH Fulham - 563 Fulham Road, London, SW6 1ES Guildford - 12c North St, Guildford GU1 4LL Grays – Lakeside Shopping Centre, West Thurrock Way, RM20 2ZP Hull - Wendy's Kingswood Retail Park, Hull HU7 3DB Hull - 2 Ganstead Lane, Bilton Hull HU11 4AU Hull – Unit 1 King Albert Chambers, Jameson Street, Hull, HU1 1JF Kirkby, Unit 8, Academy Business Park, County Road, Kirkby, L33 7AN Kingston - 57 Eden St, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1DA Leeds – 88-91 Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6NP Lincoln – 195 High Street, Lincoln, LN5 7AL Maidstone - 35-39 Week St, Maidstone, ME14 1QS Middlesborough, Units 6 & 7 Captain Cooks Square, Middlesborough TS1 5UB Newcastle – 68 – 72 Grainger Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5JQ Oxford - 1 Magdalen St, Oxford, OX1 3AE Peterborough - 1 Bourges View Park, Maskew Avenue, Peterborough, PE1 2FG Peterborough – Unit 3 Pavilions, Cygnet Road, Hampton, Peterborough, PE7 8FD Portsmouth – 144 Commercial Road, Portsmouth, PO1 1DA Reading - 1 Station Rd, Reading, RG1 1LG Romford - 64B South St, Romford, RM1 1RB Sheffield - 25 High St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield, S1 2GA Sheffield – 3 Arena Court, Sheffield, S9 2LF Southend on Sea - 66-68 High Street in Southend-on-Sea Stratford - The Stratford Centre, 52, Broadway, E15 1NG Stretton – Unit 2, Great North Road (A1 Northbound), Ram Jam Service, LE15, 7QX Sutton - 96-98 High St, Sutton, SM1 1LT Uxbridge - 57 High St, Uxbridge, UB8 1JP Watford – 60 High Street, Watford, WD17 2BS Whitby - 79 Baxtergate, Whitby, YO21 1BL Wisbech – Horsefair Shopping Centre, 28 Churchill Road, Wisbech, PE13 1AR Wood Green - 11A Ground Floor, High Road, The Mall, Wood Green, London, N22 6HE US food chains that have hit the UK A series of American fast food chains have made the leap across to the UK in recent years. Shake Shack, which started out as a hotdog cart, recently opened its first restaurant inside a UK train station. The fast food giant has 17 locations in the UK, having opened its first in Covent Garden in 2013. Popeyes entered the UK market in 2021 and its fried chicken has proved a huge hit. In just 30 months, the brand opened over 38 restaurants across the UK. Major US fast food chain Chick-fil-A is opening branches across the UK this year too, including in Belfast, Leeds, Liverpool and London. The Sun exclusively revealed the exact locations of their first five UK restaurants. Seafood chain Captain D's has announced plans to open 20 restaurants across the country. Wingstop, which currently has 57 sites across the UK, revealed plans in January to open 20 more before the end of 2025. At least 10 of these were said to be opening in the first half of the year. Tex-Mex brand Velvet Taco will also making its UK debut in the spring. Meanwhile Dunkin' Donuts, which currently has 30 stores in the UK, hopes to open 30 new branches over the next couple of years as part of a major expansion plan. Dunkin' Donuts landed in the UK in St John's in Liverpool in May 2016.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Hail Mary Sandwich That Helped Revive The Wendy's Brand
Wendy's (and its genial founder Dave Thomas) was responsible for several firsts in the fast food industry. The first "pick-up window," the first spicy chicken sandwich, and that famous "Where's the Beef" commercial in the 1980s that brutally took down competitors McDonald's and Burger King all come to mind. Wendy's introduced its first bacon cheeseburger in 1982, but for the next couple of decades, fitness and dietary fads put the beloved sizzling pork strips out of favor. But some time in 2000, the National Pork Board urged upscale restaurants and fast-food restaurants to devise the best bacon recipes that marketed bacon as the ultimate flavor enhancer. Suddenly, bacon became a condiment third to only salt and pepper, and it wasn't long before the Baconator was born. After the failure of a number of fast food menu items, compounded by founder Thomas's death in 2002, Wendy's suffered a series of financial and marketing setbacks in the mid-2000s. Without Thomas, management was lost; the chain was no longer considered as innovative as it had once been. But in 2006, the recently installed chief executive, Kerrii Anderson, launched a back-to-basics turnaround plan that would invigorate Wendy's flailing sales. Motivated by the bacon mania, Wendy's created a monster sandwich, the Baconator — a double cheeseburger with six strips of bacon. The sandwich launched nationwide in 2007, and it caught the fast-food industry by surprise. By marketing to men between the ages of 18 and 34 years old, Wendy's sold over 68 million Baconators in the first year — and many more since. Read more: For Fresh, Not Frozen Fast Food, Try These 12 Popular Chains With the Baconator's success, Wendy's competitors jumped on the bacon bandwagon. Yet, thanks to the chain's savvy marketing to the late-night snack crowd and insanely craveworthy images, the Baconator reigned supreme. Bolstered by the Baconator's success, the company introduced a spicy version — adding pepper jack cheese, chipotle ranch sauce, and jalapeños — in March 2008. However, this variant didn't catch on and was soon discontinued. A few years later, diets changed again, and the Baconator's infamous 930-calorie load negatively impacted consumers' appetites for the sandwich. In response, Wendy's introduced the Son of Baconator in 2012 — wittily referencing vintage horror movie sequels — a smaller and cheaper alternative at 610 calories. The "slim" SOB garnered diet-conscious fans, and it remains on Wendy's menu today. Of course, not every Wendy's burger is an unqualified success, and the company has had out-and-out failures as well as quality-control issues. It wasn't until 2020 that Wendy's introduced a breakfast sandwich, the Breakfast Baconator. At the same time, the brand tried to capture the Baconator's signature flavor profile with a limited edition of Baconator-flavored Pringles. With store closings and rising costs, Wendy's has had its share of ups and downs, and as consumers continue to cut back on restaurant dining, the company's earnings have markedly decreased. The company plans to continue menu development to retain customers and attract new ones, but until then, Baconator Cheez-Its prove that Wendy's will continue to rely on its Baconator cash cow. Read the original article on Tasting Table. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Engadget
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Netflix has figured out a way to make ads even worse using AI
Netflix will embrace AI-generated ads, whether we like it or not. The streaming service will roll out AI-generated ads in 2026 that will play in the middle of a show or whenever users hit pause for its ad-supported plans. During Netflix's Upfront event for its advertisers, Amy Reinhard, the company's president of advertising, showed off the upcoming feature for interactive midroll and pause ads that use generative AI for custom content. We've come a long way since Netflix's origin story of mailing out DVDs starting in 1997 and transitioning to an ad-free streaming service. Now more than ever, it feels like Harvey Dent's famous quote from The Dark Knight about living long enough to become the villain rings true for Netflix. The streaming service's longevity in the industry could be attributed to making compromises, like including ads, that take away from its initial glory. In a poetic turn of events, The Dark Knight trilogy was added to Netflix's library on April 1. This won't be the first time Netflix dabbled with AI. Last month, Netflix offered regional users a new search feature that uses OpenAI to find something to watch. Looking beyond AI-generated ads in 2026, it's not likely that the company will slow down on finding new ways to generate revenue. "So if you take away anything from today, I hope it's this: the foundation of our ads business is in place," Reinhard said during the Netflix event. "And going forward, the pace of progress is going to be even faster." The golden age of binge-watching an entire season of a Netflix show without ads could be a long-forgotten memory. Next year, don't be surprised if Netflix tempts you with a Baconator while you watch people succumb to the deadly consequences of Squid Games . If this eventual change has you rethinking your Netflix subscription, you can always cancel it or begrudgingly upgrade it to the Standard or Premium plans to avoid ads. Don't forget, Netflix has been steadily increasing subscription costs for its ad-free plans, which could push more users towards the standard plan with ads as the most accessible option.
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Wendy's menu bets even bigger on value, bacon
Business Wendy's menu bets even bigger on value, bacon While the McDonald's Big Mac and Burger King Whopper trace their roots to 1967 and 1957, respectively, Wendy's signature sandwich can't even legally drink yet. The Baconator launched back in 2007, only 18 years ago (so the sandwich can vote), as an attempt to broaden Wendy's appeal to younger customers. It has become a flagship for the company and has led to multiple offshoot products. Related: Another fast-food burger chain is quietly closing locations The original, however, is a tribute to excess: Wendy's Baconator is a top-tier fast-food hamburger featuring two beef patties, six strips of bacon, two slices of cheese, ketchup, and mayonnaise on a premium bun. Customers can add more patties and more bacon if they choose. It's not just a copy of the Big Mac or Whopper; it's a very different brand built around bacon. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter The calorie-laden burger has also spawned Son of Baconator, Baconator Fries, and Breakfast Baconator, which the chain playfully describes on its website. "Grilled sausage, American cheese, Applewood smoked bacon, a fresh-cracked free range egg, (deep breath) more cheese, and more bacon, all covered in our signature cheese sauce. Don't just break your fast. Destroy it," the company posted. Now Wendy's has leaned into value with its latest Baconator offer. Wendy's unveils a deal customers will love. Image source: Wendy's Canada/TS Wendy's adds $3 Son of Baconator deal Son of Baconator is essentially a smaller version of the modern classic. "Two patties of fresh, never frozen beef, American cheese, plenty of Applewood smoked bacon, ketchup, and mayo. Like Baconator, like Son," the chain shared. Now, Wendy's has brought back a popular Son of Baconator promotion. "The $3 Son of Baconator deal is back at Wendy's for a limited time at participating locations nationwide," Brand Eating reported. Unlike many Wendy's deals, the promotion does not require use of its app. Brand Eating even suggested a customer burger hack for Son of Baconator. More Food News: "Your mileage may vary, but I like to customize the Son of Baconator into a Double Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger (no ketchup and add lettuce and tomato; my local Wendy's doesn't charge extra for the veggies). At $3, it's cheaper than getting a regular Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger," they shared. Wendy's sales have dropped Wendy's (WEN) saw a drop in sales in the first quarter, which it had advised would happen. "Global same restaurant sales declined 2.1% which drove a 1.1% decline in global systems sales. We stayed focused on delivering for our customers and competed well as we held traffic and dollar share in the U.S. with same restaurant sales down 2.8% and system-wide sales down 2.6%," CEO Kirk Tanner shared during Wendy's first-quarter earnings call. The CEO did share that the company has a three-pillar plan to fix its business. "First, we will deliver on our fresh, famous food. Second, we will provide an exceptional customer experience through personalization, convenience, and hospitality. And third, we will accelerate global net unit growth," he said. Related: McDonald's menu adds experimental new items fans will love Food quality is at the heart of those efforts. "This starts with using fresh ingredients sourced close to home to provide the highest quality food in QSR at great value. In the U.S., approximately 95% of our ingredients are sourced domestically, including 100% fresh, never frozen beef. We apply the same sourcing principle in many of our largest international markets," he added. That also has a side benefit. "For example, in Canada, we use 100% Canadian beef. This is particularly advantageous in the current environment, as tariffs have minimal impact on our supply chain," he shared. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc. This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 9:33 AM.
Miami Herald
28-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Wendy's just announced a wild new collaboration
When it comes to keeping customers interested in both the grocery store and the fast-food drive-thru, one thing is for sure: keep the new ideas coming, and keep them coming quick. Most brands handle this in one of two ways. One: Invent an entirely new item, which requires a lot of investment and testing to bring to market. The costly process can take years, so while it could succeed, it will take significant time to execute. Don't miss the move: SIGN UP for TheStreet's FREE Daily newsletter That why's option two is popular: Reach out to another brand, suggesting a collaboration that adds a fresh new twist to an existing best-selling item. While this, too, takes testing and the brands of course must agree to partner, it can produce a really successful result (imagine the Doritos Taco at Taco Bell, for instance). The fast-food industry regularly uses this tactic to ward off menu fatigue and keep customers coming back. Time and time again, it works like a charm. Related: Burger King menu adds a new treat for summer Both celebrity and brand collaborations are big these days, and with the right one, there's a chance a company could see profits soar. Now, privately held food giant Mars is doing just that through a new collaboration with Wendy's, hoping that big sales are right around the corner. Trusted food blogger Markie Devo on April 27 posted an image on X of a brand new product coming soon from Cheez-It - a version of the iconic cracker flavored like a Wendy's Baconator. Devo says these are 'speculated to drop August 2025 at stores nationwide that carry the brand.' Image source:for Wendy's Wendy's debuted the Baconator in 2007, selling 25 million of them in the first eight weeks. It's no surprise this cult classic was Cheez-It's choice when it came to a collaboration flavor, but this writer would quite honestly rather have the original burger than a cracker that makes me wish I had a Baconator. The Baconator Cheez-It collaboration follows another high-profile collaboration from 2024, when Cheez-It partnered with Hidden Valley Ranch to release a 'Cheezy Ranch' flavor. Many food brands have successfully drawn Gen Z to their products by way of collaborations. One of the biggest hits of the past 10 years has been McDonald's 'Famous Orders' campaign, where it teamed up with high-profile celebrities such as BTS, Travis Scott, and Saweetie to promote special meals curated by them. These were an especially big hit with the fandoms of each of the artists, driving some of them to collect items sold with the releases and resell them on eBay. Another move - and somewhat of an unexpected one - that has ushered in major attention for food brands is fashion collaborations with celebs. McDonald's did it with Travis Scott for his Cactus Jack merchandise line, and Popeyes also did it with Megan Thee Stallion for a line of bikinis. In short, you're likely to continue seeing wild mashups both in the snack aisle and at your local drive-thru, because if they're weird enough to be bought and posted on social media, they're worth a shot in the consumer market. Related: This struggling fast food chain is on the chopping block The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
