Wendy's Debuts "Tendys" on Menus Nationwide

Rhea-AI Summary

Wendy's (NASDAQ:WEN) has launched its new Chicken Tenders ("Tendys") nationwide, alongside six new dipping sauces. The new menu item features all-white-meat chicken with seasoned, crispy breading, available in two-, three-, or four-piece options.

The launch includes an expanded sauce lineup with nearly double-sized portions: Wendy's Signature, Sweet Chili, Scorchin' Hot, Creamy Ranch, Honey BBQ, and Honey Mustard. The product comes in new packaging designed specifically for dipping convenience, with a built-in dip-cup holder.

To celebrate the launch, select cities will see restaurants temporarily rebranded as "Tendy's" in October 2025.

Positive

• Introduction of a new core menu item expanding Wendy's chicken portfolio
• Launch of six new dipping sauces with larger portion sizes
• New specialized packaging designed for improved customer experience

Negative

• None.

Insights

Fast Food Industry Analyst

Wendy's strategic entry into chicken tenders market targets growing category with premium positioning and expanded sauce offerings.

Wendy's introduction of Chicken Tenders represents a significant strategic expansion in the highly competitive fast-food chicken segment. This permanent menu addition positions Wendy's to capitalize on the continued strong consumer demand for chicken items, which have shown resilient growth across the quick-service restaurant sector.

The launch includes six new proprietary dipping sauces in larger portion cups, addressing a key consumer pain point and creating a meaningful differentiation from competitors like McDonald's and Burger King. The emphasis on customization through multiple sauce options aligns with current consumer preferences for personalized dining experiences.

From a competitive standpoint, this move appears to directly challenge established chicken-focused chains like Raising Cane's and specialized menu items like McDonald's Chicken McNuggets. The "Tendy's" restaurant rebranding campaign in select markets indicates a substantial marketing investment behind this launch, suggesting Wendy's views this as a potential growth driver rather than just a menu extension.

The timing is strategic as chicken has maintained pricing power amid ongoing protein inflation, potentially offering better margin opportunities than beef-based items. The product's versatility - available as standalone items, combo meals, and in kids' meals - creates multiple sales channels and daypart opportunities that could drive incremental traffic beyond Wendy's core burger business.

Wendy's launches crispy Chicken Tenders and six new dipping sauces

DUBLIN, Ohio, Sept. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wendy's® is dropping Tendys. Introducing all-new Chicken Tenders - and they're so good fans will know them by name. Fans can now order Chicken Tenders, a new core menu item, at Wendy's restaurants nationwide. And the fun doesn't stop there - we've got a lineup of six new dipping sauces for maximum flavor combinations.

With chicken dominating restaurant menus, and Wendy's strong history in the chicken space (hello, Nuggs!), these crunchy, premium Chicken Tenders are flavor-packed and savory, made with seasoned, crispy breading and juicy, all-white-meat chicken. They're everything a tender fan could want: crunchy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. And because no chicken tender is complete without the dip, Wendy's culinary team is introducing six new sauces designed for maximum dunkability - now nearly double the size, to give even more sauce to fans!

• Wendy's Signature - The ultimate Tendys companion. Wendy's signature creamy sauce with hints of black pepper, hot sauce and tons of savory goodness.
• Sweet Chili - Sweet and subtly spicy sauce with a touch of tang including notes of sriracha, garlic and ginger.
• Scorchin' Hot - Creamy hot sauce with a heat that builds.
• Creamy Ranch - Extra creamy and extra rich. The GOAT for all dipping needs.
• Honey BBQ - A little bit sweet, a little bit smoky. A lot of barbecue.
• Honey Mustard - Sweet honey and lightly tangy mustard with a rich Dijon flavor.

"Chicken innovation is in our DNA at Wendy's, and we've tapped into our years of chicken experience to craft our new Wendy's Tendys," said Lindsay Radkoski, U.S. Chief Marketing Officer, The Wendy's Company. "Consumers told us what they wanted in a chicken tender, and we listened - taste-tested, fine-tuned and delivered. With six bold new sauces, fans can dip, dunk and customize their Tendys with every bite!"

"Wendy's new Tendys are bold, juicy and crispy, paired with a lineup of new sauces that deliver a uniquely Wendy's experience for fans in every bite," said Becky Davis, Vice President of Global Culinary Innovation, The Wendy's Company. "Ever since we launched our first Spicy Chicken Sandwich to our beloved chicken nuggets and now our brand new Tendys, we are always exploring ways to innovate with chicken and deliver for our customers across our chicken lineup."

Built for Dipping
Chicken Tenders are available as three- or four-piece options and can be ordered as part of a combo meal or a la carte. Each three- or four-piece order comes with two dipping sauces. Want even more sauce? Additional dip cups are available for a small charge.

Younger Tendys fans can also enjoy the product as a two-piece serving in a Wendy's Kids' Meal®, complete with one dipping sauce. The experience doesn't stop at flavor. Tendys arrive in all-new packaging built for dunking, with a dip-cup cutout that holds Wendy's new sauces.

Welcome to "Tendy's"
And because fans will know these chicken tenders on a first-name basis, select cities will even see some restaurants rebranded as "Tendy's" this October, giving fans the ultimate chicken-and-sauce celebration. So, skip those other guys slinging chicken and find a local Tendy's - or Wendy's - to try the new chicken tenders today.

With crispy Tendys, bigger dips and bold new flavors, Wendy's is changing the chicken tender game.

ABOUT WENDY'S
The Wendy's Company (Nasdaq: WEN) and Wendy's® franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide. Founded in 1969, Wendy's is committed to the promise of Fresh Famous Food, Made Right, For You, delivered to customers through its craveable menu including made-to-order square hamburgers using fresh beef*, and fan favorites like the Spicy Chicken Sandwich and nuggets, Baconator®, and the Frosty® dessert. Wendy's supports the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption®, established by its founder, which seeks to dramatically increase the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America's foster care system. Learn more about Wendy's at www.wendys.com. For details on franchising, visit www.wendys.com/franchising. Connect with Wendy's on X, Instagram and Facebook.

*Fresh beef available in the contiguous U.S. and Alaska, as well as Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the UK, and other select international markets.

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SOURCE The Wendy's Company

FAQ

What are Wendy's new Tendys and when are they available?

Wendy's Tendys are new chicken tenders made with all-white-meat chicken and crispy breading, available nationwide starting September 30, 2025.

How many new dipping sauces did Wendy's (WEN) launch with Tendys?

Wendy's launched 6 new dipping sauces: Wendy's Signature, Sweet Chili, Scorchin' Hot, Creamy Ranch, Honey BBQ, and Honey Mustard, with nearly double-sized portions.

What size options are available for Wendy's new Tendys?

Wendy's Tendys are available as 2-piece (Kids' Meal), 3-piece, or 4-piece options, with two dipping sauces included per order.

Which Wendy's locations will be rebranded as 'Tendy's'?

Select Wendy's locations in various cities will be temporarily rebranded as 'Tendy's' in October 2025, though specific locations were not disclosed.