Popular fast-food chain Wendy’s is known for its pigtailed mascot, square burgers and lots of savings. Hungry bargain hunters know they can regularly find delicious Wendy’s deals at the hamburger chain. Even better, Wendy’s is known for occasionally giving away FREE food, especially when promoting a new or limited-time menu item. (Who doesn’t love free food?)
Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas opened the first Wendy’s in 1969, naming the restaurant for his daughter. The Wendy’s girl logo, with her pigtails and red hair, is actually based on the real Wendy Thomas.
Photo: Wendy’s
Wendy’s offers lots of delicious and unique menu items, and is known for its made-to-order square burgers, the Baconator (two beef patties with cheese and lots of bacon), fresh salads and iconic frozen dairy dessert, the Frosty. Fun fact: The burgers are square because Dave wanted the juicy burgers to be seen from all sides.
At more than 6,700 locations worldwide, customers should look for Wendy’s value menu, coupons and other deals or discounts in order to save big on their drive-thru or dine-in order. Thanks to Wendy’s loyalty program, customers can eat their way “on the cheap” to more complimentary food and exclusive discounts. Here’s the inside scoop on all the Wendy’s specials available to you.
Save money with Wendy’s deals and specials
Limited-time specials
One of the easiest ways to save money at Wendy’s is with its limited-time specials, which they offer on a regular basis. Customers can usually find a promo at checkout. Look for a promo sign or ask an employee. Wendy’s popular specials include:
Twofer: The most common offer at the fast-food restaurant is a twofer promo. The offer requires the purchase of two specific menu items at a special price. The value is always really big – usually up to 50% off the regular price. However, you must purchase the two items for the savings. Otherwise, pay full price for just one.
4 For $4 Meal Deal: One of the best Wendy’s values is the ongoing and popular meal deal. For just four bucks, get a sandwich, four nuggets, small fries and small fountain drink. The sandwich options change every so often, but, in the past, there have been up to eight choices.
$5 Biggie Bag: Customers can bag big savings with the chain’s on-and-off again $5 Biggie Bag. The savings are usually around 50% off. The featured sandwich in the meal deal changes each time the promo is offered. Open the bag and find the featured sandwich, four nuggets, small fries and small fountain drink. It’s similar to the 4 For $4 deal, but the sandwich is a premium menu item and, therefore, larger.
Frosty Key Tag: This annual offer definitely won’t leave bargain hunters in the cold…and it’s for a good cause. Every year, usually from mid-November to late January of the following year, Wendy’s sells its popular Frosty Key Tag for $2. The key tag is the entry into lots of sweet savings for the following year. Flash the key tag at checkout and enjoy a FREE Jr. Frosty with any purchase. The tag pays for itself in just a few visits. And, even cooler, some of the proceeds go to the Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption.
And, for those who love the Frosty, Wendy’s has offered the dessert treat at a low-price in the past – usually in the spring or summer. Just keep an eye out for the sweet special.
Free food: Wendy’s is known for giving away FREE food a few times a year, especially as part of the launch of a new or limited-time menu item. In the past, they have given away breakfast sandwiches, burgers and nuggets at no cost. Sometimes the offers are totally free with no purchase required. Other times, the freebie is available with any purchase. In any case, it’s always a great deal for anyone looking for a free lunch.
Wendy’s coupons
In some markets, you can still find Wendy’s coupons in the newspaper or mail every few months. The coupons often focus on the chain’s new or limited-time menu offerings.
However, the best place to find coupons is on the Wendy’s app. You must register an account before adding an offer to your order. The offers regularly include savings on a minimum purchase, $1 menu items and buy-one-get-one FREE deals. As always, the offers change periodically, so you have to keep checking back for the latest discounts.
Wendy’s Rewards
The chain launched its first-ever rewards program in the summer of 2020 – Wendy’s Rewards. Members earn 10 points for every dollar spent, with rewards beginning at just 150 points. Rewards include everything from a small Frosty at 150 points to the big Baconator or full-size salad at 700 points.
To get your points, you must always scan your QR code at checkout before ordering. However, if you forget, Wendy’s has your back. Keep your receipt and submit it here within 24 hours for credit to your account. The only way to fully benefit from Wendy’s loyalty program is to always get the points, no matter the size of the order. Every point matters.
Wendy’s app
Of course, Wendy’s has an app and it’s tied to the chain’s loyalty program, especially important for accessing digital offers. It’s the only way to add discounts to your order.
It’s also the best place to track and easily redeem any earned rewards.
However, in addition, customers can also place a mobile order on the Wendy’s app. There is also an option for delivery on the app, but it’s through a third-party service.
Wendy’s delivery
Wendy’s does not offer any in-house delivery service. You can still have your Baconator, fries and Frosty delivered right to your front door through a third-party delivery service – DoorDash, Grubhub, Postmates and Uber Eats. As a result, expect to pay additional fees for Wendy’s delivery.
Photo: Wendy’s
Wendy’s menu and prices
Wendy’s menu is varied, offering options from healthy salads to bacon-heavy burgers and frozen treats, wit something for every budget. Wendy’s menu prices also cover a range from the discounted Wendy’s value menu to the premium sandwiches and salads on the more expensive side. (Some of Wendy’s burgers can cost more than $7.)
Wendy’s bucks the trend at fast-food restaurants by offering healthier options, namely its line-up of fresh salads – each made with premium ingredients. Featuring chicken, avocados and nuts, the salads will cost you a little more “green” – usually around $8 each. Look for its seasonal salads for some healthy variety.
Wendy’s is one of the few fast-food chains known for adding some spice to its menu. They regularly offer special items with an added kick, including the addition of spicy sauces/condiments, jalapenos and more. The spicy version of Wendy’s chicken nuggets keep returning to the menu because of consumer demand. They are also the only major chain that offers chili. Heat up Wendy’s chili even more with a packet of signature hot sauce.
Wendy’s desserts include an oatmeal bar, cookies and the popular frozen dairy dessert, the Frosty. The treat, a mixture between a shake and soft-serve ice cream, comes in four sizes and three flavors (chocolate, vanilla or mixed). The junior size is perfect for topping off your meal with a little sweetness, especially good for those watching their calories. Another pro tip: If you’re looking for a sweet-and-salty snack, dip your Wendy’s fries in the creamy concoction for a special treat.
Wendy’s secret menu
Does Wendy’s have a secret menu? Not necessarily, but you can add bacon to any menu item for an extra bite of saltiness. (There are even tales of adventurous customers ordering a side of bacon along with their Frosty for the ultimate sweet-and-salty treat.) However, one secret menu item is popular among many insiders – the Barnyard Burger. The secret sandwich is made by adding bacon and a spicy chicken patty to your burger.
Wendy’s breakfast menu
Wendy’s launched its first-ever breakfast menu in March 2020. The chain now gets up early and serves breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Breakfast menu items include the Breakfast Baconator, honey butter chicken biscuit and maple bacon chicken croissant. Have we mentioned that Wendy’s loves its bacon?
Image courtesy of The Wendy’s Company
Wendy’s dollar menu
The chain used to offer a Wendy’s dollar menu with a variety of sandwich and sides for just a buck each. Unfortunately, for now, the Wendy’s dollar menu is a thing of the past. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t dine on a budget at the chain.
Wendy’s value menu and Biggie Deals
Like most restaurant chains, Wendy’s offers customers big savings with a more budget-friendly menu. Wendy’s value menu is called Biggie Deals. The menu offers many of its most popular sandwiches in junior sizes at a lower price. The menu even includes Wendy’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich for $1.99. You can pay a bit more to make it a Crispy Chicken BLT. The menu also includes the Jr. Cheeseburger, Jr. Hamburger, Double Stack and more.
Looking for a Wendy’s $5 meal? Stick to the junior sizes on Wendy’s value menu, and you can easily dish up your own meal deal for under 5 bucks.
Wendy’s Kids’ Meal
Dining with kids can add up quickly. However, a Wendy’s Kids’ Meal offers lots of savings for frugal parents. The meal combo costs around $4 and features a hamburger, cheeseburger or Wendy’s chicken nuggets. For sides, choose Apple Bites or natural-cut fries, as well as a beverage (fountain drink, milk or apple juice). The meal includes a toy.
In the past, some locations have offered a FREE Wendy’s Kids’ Meals after 4 p.m. with any purchase, so be on the lookout for the family-friendly special. It’s usually a limited-time offer.
Wendy’s Feed The Fam Deals
If you’re feeding the whole crew, Wendy’s meals can be a lifesaver on your budget, namely its Feed The Fam Deals. The deals bundle up many of the chain’s popular sandwiches and Wendy’s fries at special price – usually four sandwiches and four fries.
Wendy’s specials today
Hungry for a Wendy’s deal? See what promotions are on offer this week.
Friday, March 24, 2023
If you liked this story, you might also like:
