"wendys" news and stories

Despite its coffee-centric menu, Starbucks is now the third largest restaurant chain in terms of domestic sales, according to Technomic's listing of America's top 500 restaurant chains in total 2010 U.S. sales. Completing the trifecta is McDonald's in the number one spot, followed by Subway at number two. USA Today explains that Starbucks' rise to the top signifies a shift in the American palate. For decades, McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's dominated the top three, and all served a similar hamburger-focused menu. Now, within the new top three, only McDonald's serves burgers. Overall, the top 500 chains reported a 1.8% sales growth in 2010, with total estimated sales of $234 billion.

Here's the Top 5 list:
1. McDonald's
2. Subway
3. Starbucks
4. Burger King
5. Wendy's

TV commercials are so last century -- burger chains are now heading online in an effort to get kids (and their parents) more engaged with their brands. Burger King is the latest to join the trend with its upcoming "Thor" marketing push, reports Nation's Restaurant News.

With the purchase of a Kids' Meal at the restaurant, kids get small toys related to the Marvel comic in addition to codes that entitle them to exclusive digital-comics chapters at its kids' website, www.ClubBK.com. The four comic strips are a prequel to the movie, which opens May 6.

And the chain isn't alone in its digital push. As we reported earlier, McDonald's is getting in the web game with its McWorld.com site ("Ronaldgrams," anyone?), and later in May, Wendy's plans to host "Wendy's Family Week" on "Wheel of Fortune" to encourage customers to enter an online sweepstakes.

It's that time of year again, the 40-day Christian season of Lent, a time when fast food restaurants ramp up their seafood menu selections to capitalize on religious dogma -- hell, even KFC plays up their Fish Snacker. The rules of the season mandate that no meat is to be eaten on Fridays -- vegetarians need not change their eating habits -- but to the observant carnivorous fast foodie, this usually means replacing those burgers and fries with fish and chips. Wendy's heeds this call, and has jumped back on the bandwagon this year, offering a Premium Fish Fillet sandwich to fill this religious niche. Here's how it rates:

The Claims: Wendy's Premium Fish Fillet is 100% North Pacific cod breaded with panko crumbs, served in a bun with a leaf of lettuce and tartar sauce (500 calories). A slice of American cheese is optional (for an additional 40 calories).

The Price: $3.99 for the sandwich, plus an extra 30 cents if you want cheese. Add their natural-cut fries to make it a "fish 'n chips" combo with a drink for $5.99. (Prices may vary at participating locations.)

Did you know that Wendy's makes breakfast? On his way to work last week, Serious Eats writer John M. Edwards saw a sign that read "Breakfast" in New York's Penn Station. He took this opportunity to order their Classic Breakfast Sandwich, Egg and Cheese Biscuits, Biscuits and Gravy and the Grande Burrito. Find out how they rated here.

Also on Serious Eats:

• In-N-Out Secret Menu Survival Guide
• 10 of Our Favorite Pancakes in America
• How to Grow an Edible Garden
• Copycat French's Yellow Mustard

Wendy's has quite a reputation to maintain when it announces a new menu item. They have to not only live up to their current marketing slogan, "You know when it's real," by using the freshest ingredients that a national mega-chain can be supplied, but they must also strive to sustain their "recipe of quality" -- a formula which has earned them top honors in Zagat's Fast Food Survey for the past two years. Enter the new Asiago Ranch Chicken Club, the self-proclaimed "bold new take on chicken that's anything but boring." Here's how it rates:

The Claims: The Asiago Ranch Chicken Club sandwich comes in three variations of chicken -- Grilled, Homestyle, or Spicy – each topped with strips of applewood-smoked bacon, a slice of Asiago cheese, ranch dressing, lettuce, and sliced tomatoes. (470-660 calories, depending on the style of chicken)

The Price: $5.19 each. (Manhattan, NY; prices may vary depending on location.)