Wendy's Delivers on Fan Cravings with a Lineup of Innovative Spring Menu Items

Wendy's (NYSE:WEN) launches seven new spring menu items, including a permanent Cookie Dough Frosty Fusion and limited-time watermelon beverages and jalapeño-spiced items.

Rhea-AI Summary

Wendy's (NYSE:WEN) launches seven new spring menu items, including a permanent Cookie Dough Frosty Fusion and limited-time watermelon beverages and jalapeño-spiced items. Loyalty members get early access to the Frosty via the Wendy's app on April 23, with nationwide restaurant availability beginning April 27.

Argus Apr 23 session

-2.39% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – WEN

On Apr 23, the day this news came out, WEN closed 2.39% below the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Apr 23 session.

Market Context

This announcement adds a permanent Cookie Dough Frosty Fusion and several limited-time watermelon an...

Analysis

This announcement adds a permanent Cookie Dough Frosty Fusion and several limited-time watermelon and jalapeño items across U.S. restaurants from April 27, reinforcing Wendy’s strategy of leveraging menu innovation and app-based loyalty. Recent history shows multiple marketing and expansion updates ahead of the May 8 earnings report. Investors may watch whether these offerings support traffic and align with broader turnaround efforts highlighted in recent proxy and leadership disclosures.

Key Figures

New menu items: 7 items Nationwide launch date: April 27, 2026 Early access date: April 23, 2026 +5 more

New menu items

7 items

Spring 2026 U.S. menu launch

Nationwide launch date

April 27, 2026

All new menu items available in U.S. restaurants

Early access date

April 23, 2026

Cookie Dough Frosty Fusion app early access

Board equity award

4,166 shares

Director Peter W. May equity award in lieu of cash retainers

Award price

$7.14 per share

Director Bradley G. Peltz equity award on April 3, 2026

RSU grant

1,582 RSUs

Restricted stock units granted to officer Liliana Esposito

RSUs held

115,203 RSUs

Restricted stock units held by CMO Lindsay J. Radkoski

RSUs held

63,937 RSUs

Restricted stock units held by CIO Matthew P. Spessard

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Apr 21

5 events

1. Apr 21

   International expansion

   24h Move

   -0.3%

   Opened 100th Philippines restaurant with plan for 200 by 2030.

2. Apr 09

   Earnings date notice

   24h Move

   -3.0%

   Announced Q1 2026 earnings release and conference call details.

3. Apr 06

   Marketing promotion

   24h Move

   -2.8%

   One-day nationwide free fries and Frosty tied to March Madness.

4. Apr 06

   Correction notice

   24h Move

   -2.8%

   Clarified terms of the free fries and Frosty promotion.

5. Mar 30

   Menu upgrade

   24h Move

   -0.3%

   Rolled out upgraded Spicy and Classic Chicken Sandwich lineup in U.S.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Seven New Sweet Treats and Spicy Bites Hit U.S. Restaurants starting April 27

Fresh Facts:

• The Cookie Dough Frosty Fusion, a new core menu item, features cookie dough pieces and brownie batter sauce swirled into a Frosty base. Fans can get early access to the Frosty via the Wendy's app starting today, April 23.
• Fans can enjoy a juicy lineup of watermelon-flavored beverages: Watermelon Lemonade, Watermelon Sparkling Energy, and Sprite Watermelon.
• The Jalapeño Ranch Cheeseburger, Jalapeño Bacon Breakfast Potatoes and Jalapeño Breakfast Biscuit bring the heat for guests wanting a little spice, for a limited time.

DUBLIN, Ohio, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Meet the sweet treats and bold flavors of Wendy's® new spring lineup. The Cookie Dough Frosty Fusion® joins Wendy's core menu alongside limited-time innovations featuring notes of fresh watermelon and the flavors of spicy jalapeño. Wendy's Loyalty Members can get early access to the new Frosty Fusion via the Wendy's app* starting today, April 23, before all the new items are available in restaurants nationwide on Monday, April 27.

"With spring comes warmer weather and refreshing changes in routines, and we are seeing an appetite for bold flavors that mix comfort and discovery," said Lindsay Radkoski, Chief Marketing Officer at Wendy's. "Whether it's something nostalgic, like cookie dough or a bold kick of spicy jalapeño, guests are seeking out menu items that simply feel fun. We're committed to delivering fresh flavors for every fan with the quality they expect from Wendy's."

For the Fans Looking for Something Sweet…
Wendy's dials up the innovation of its iconic menu items, leaning into spring flavor trends like cookie dough and watermelon.

• Cookie Dough Frosty Fusion: Creamy, indulgent and here to stay, the new Frosty Fusion features cookie dough pieces and brownie batter sauce swirled into the iconic Frosty® base for a new take on the familiar treat.
• Watermelon Lemonade: As an expansion of Wendy's Dave's Craft Lemonade lineup, this beverage brings fans a fresh take on all-natural lemonade, featuring a sweet watermelon puree.
• Watermelon Sparkling Energy: A bubbly energy boost** with notes of fresh fruit and candied watermelon.
• Sprite® Watermelon: A crisp and refreshing combination of classic Sprite mixed with a bright watermelon flavor to beat the heat.

…Or a Little Bit Spicy 
Fans can also turn up the heat with a trio of crave-worthy spicy menu items available for a limited time nationwide:

• Jalapeño Ranch Cheeseburger: Pairs Wendy's fresh, never frozen beef*** with creamy jalapeño ranch, jalapeño slices and melted American cheese, balancing heat-forward flavor with cool, tangy ranch notes.
• Jalapeño Bacon Breakfast Potatoes: Add some kick to the morning with jalapeños topping Wendy's seasoned breakfast potatoes, along with three strips of crispy Applewood smoked bacon and Swiss cheese sauce.
• Jalapeño Breakfast Biscuits: Breakfast is anything but boring with jalapeños, sausage or bacon, a fresh-cracked grade A egg and American cheese all nestled on a buttery biscuit.

All new menu items launch in Wendy's restaurants nationwide April 27, with early access to the Cookie Dough Frosty Fusion available now via the Wendy's app, giving an even sweeter reason to join the loyalty program.  

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.

*At participating U.S. Wendy's.  Early access only available for order in the Wendy's App beginning Thursday, 4/23 through Sunday, 4/26. Wendy's App download and account registration required.

**Sparkling Energy beverages contain 80 – 120 mg of caffeine.

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

"Sprite" is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wendys-delivers-on-fan-cravings-with-a-lineup-of-innovative-spring-menu-items-302751150.html

SOURCE The Wendy's Company

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

When does Wendy's (WEN) release the Cookie Dough Frosty Fusion and other spring items?

The Cookie Dough Frosty Fusion is available early in-app April 23 and nationwide April 27. According to Wendy's, loyalty members get app access April 23, while all new items appear in U.S. restaurants starting Monday, April 27.

Is the Cookie Dough Frosty Fusion a permanent menu item for Wendy's (WEN)?

Yes, the Cookie Dough Frosty Fusion joins Wendy's core menu as a permanent item. According to Wendy's, the Frosty Fusion features cookie dough pieces and brownie batter sauce swirled into the Frosty base.

What watermelon-flavored beverages is Wendy's (WEN) offering for spring 2026?

Wendy's is offering Watermelon Lemonade, Watermelon Sparkling Energy, and Sprite Watermelon. According to Wendy's, these include all-natural lemonade with watermelon puree, a bubbly energy drink, and Sprite mixed with bright watermelon flavor.

Which jalapeño items will Wendy's (WEN) serve and are they limited-time?

Wendy's will offer three limited-time jalapeño items: Jalapeño Ranch Cheeseburger, Jalapeño Bacon Breakfast Potatoes, and Jalapeño Breakfast Biscuits. According to Wendy's, each pairs jalapeños with core ingredients like fresh beef, bacon, sausage, egg, and cheese.

How can Wendy's (WEN) customers get early access to the new Frosty via the app?

Loyalty members can access the Cookie Dough Frosty Fusion in the Wendy's app beginning April 23. According to Wendy's, early app access is a benefit for loyalty program members ahead of the nationwide April 27 restaurant rollout.