Wendy’s is bringing one of its menu items to the masses in a new retail concept for the fast food chain.
Wendy’s sets itself apart from other fast food chains with its popular chocolate ice cream, and Wendy’s signature burgers are square. The patties are square because founder Thomas thought if the corners stuck out of the sides of the bun, customers could see the quality of the patty being used, according to the fast food chain’s story on its website.
Wendy’s (WEN) – Get a free reportit’s taking a page out of the script of other fast-food chains launching into a new market. Wendy’s is branching out from what it normally would and moving into an unknown market, the grocery market. Wendy’s isn’t the first to do so and it won’t be the last either.
Chick-fil-A started selling its famous salad dressings, White Castle has been selling its hamburgers, and Arby’s sells its curly and wavy fries in the frozen food section of grocery stores.
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Wendy’s selling famous chili in the new market
Wendy’s plans to sell its fan-favorite chili at your local grocery store. While this new product launch doesn’t come directly from Wendy’s, it is being prepared by a trusted source. ConAgra Brands (AGC) – Get a free reportmade the announcement during its 2023 Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY) Conference that the fast food chain’s famous chili will soon be in nearby grocery stores. After the announcement, one Instagram user said the product was already on Kroger’s shelves and another said it was already available on Instacart.
While Wendy’s chili may already be available in a few select locations, more information will be available, “Closer to national launch,” according to Caitlin Davy, manager of brand communications for ConAgra Brands.
Wendy’s The fan-favorite fast food chili actually grew out of the company’s desire to reduce food waste. What should come as no surprise is that the meat in the chili is actually the same meat in fresh, never frozen patties. Founder Dave Thomas said, “What do you do with leftover burgers?” when asked why the fast food chain has chili on the menu. “It’s a really easy fix.”
While it may sound unappetizing to some, other people believe that giving the chile meat time to set gives it time to get its best flavor. So going from restaurant-cooked chili to having it on the grocery store shelf might seem like the next logical step.
Wendy confronts Hormel
While Wendy’s is rolling out its chili in grocery stores, that could cause some uncomfortable feelings for Hormel Foods and its chili. hormel (HRL) – Get a free reportit has been a top choice for canned chili in grocery stores and has been around since the 1930s. Other companies like Campbell Soup Company (CPB) – Get a free reportThey also have shelf space when it comes to the canned food aisle, and with Wendy’s coming to market it could cause some disruption in what can be considered an already saturated market. Hormel and Campbell chiles were ranked in the top two in a taste contest by Eat this, not that!
Other chili brands that made the cut to be included in the taste test rankings were Amy’s Organic Chili, Engine 2 Plant-Strong Organic Firehouse Chili, and Modern Table Chili. While not all chili brands have the same visibility as the top two contenders and incoming competitor Wendy’s, knowing what the competition tastes like is a good start for consumers.
Some consumers will love that they can now get their favorite chili and stock it in their pantry, others will still want to get it directly from Wendy’s. If anyone is interested in seeing what canned Wendy’s chili tastes like, it should launch nationwide later this year.
