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Apr 20, 2012

News: Wendy's Introduces Signature Sides

It seems Wendy's is looking to expand their side offerings by testing Signature Sides in certain markets (confirmed Binghamton, NY) introducing new "Signature Sides" for a limited time (looks like some locations just had an earlier rollout then others).

The new Signature Sides are couched as "comfort food" and the following are offered: Macaroni & Cheese, a Baked Sweet Potato, and Chili Cheese Fries.

The Mac & Cheese comes smothered in cheese sauce made with milk, cream, and white Vermont Cheddar and American cheeses and topped with shredded Cheddar cheese.

The Baked Sweet Potato, like their regular Baked Potatoes, are baked throughout the day. They are served with a cinnamon butter spread (a butter/canola oil blend like those spreadable butter tubs) on the side. I'm surprised they're not playing up the rich amounts of beta-carotine and Vitamin A in sweet potatoes.

The Chili Cheese Fries are the only permanent menu addition and feature fries covered in cheese sauce (made with Cheddar and milk) and chili, topped with shredded Cheddar cheese.

Each of the new Signature Sides carry a suggested retail price of $2.49.

I'm kinda "meh" about the Macaroni & Cheese but the Baked Sweet Potato seems interesting; they already bake russet potatoes so it's not a stretch for them to throw a sweet potato in the oven too. I think Chili Cheese Fries is something they're offered before at my local Wendy's, but discontinued.

Here's the thing: if they're so-called "Signature" sides, why are they only for a limited-time. Wouldn't Wendy's regular sides, like their fries, baked potatoes, and chili, actually be their signature sides?

Nutritional Info - Wendy's Macaroni & Cheese (207g)
Calories - 370 (from Fat - 170)
Fat - 19g (Saturated Fat - 12g)
Sodium - 940mg
Carbs - 29g (Sugar - 4g)
Protein - 17g 

Nutritional Info - Wendy's Sweet Baked Potato (307g)
Calories - 380 (from Fat - 80)
Fat - 9g (Saturated Fat - 4.5g)
Sodium - 240mg
Carbs - 69g (Sugar - 29g)
Protein - 6g 

Nutritional Info - Wendy's Chili Cheese Fries (280g)
Calories - 570 (from Fat - 270)
Fat - 30g (Saturated Fat - 11g)
Sodium - 1200mg
Carbs - 58g (Sugar - 4g)
Protein - 18g

11 comments:

  1. I saw a local Wendys here (Syracuse, NY) with a sign that mentioned Signature Sides. I did not stop to check it out though.

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  2. i ate at Wendy's yesterday (Columbia, SC) and distinctly remember the chili cheese fries. First time I ever saw it on the menu so it stood out. The other two may have been there but the CCF made an impression so I know it was on there. Was only a 1 cheeseburger stop for me so I didn't order and try it.

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  3. I work at a Wendys, and they made every employee suffer through a new half hour training video on the new signature sides.

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  4. Tried to chili cheese fries.. nothing special, their normal fries with their normal chili and sprinkled cheese on top.. pretty average, and while i don't remember the exact price it was almost $3 for each side.. the baked sweet potato looked like it had some kind of sweet cinnamon butter.. thing, on top 

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  5. "signature"????

    I wonder what message that term is meant to convey?

    Quality surpassing the norm?

    That the particular offering is better than typical fast-food fare?

    I may have to commence making my comments "signature comments" but will still refrain from placing graffiti around the burgh since "signatures" upon various fixed items would be frowned upon.  

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  6. I saw these at a Wendy's in Bloomington, IN, just off of Indiana University's campus! I didn't realize these were only in the testing phase or else I would have tried them.

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  7. One of the reasons that I stopped going to Wendy's: they never get my
    order right because it seems all of their employees are people/teenagers who think
    that a half hour is a lifetime.

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  8. Does anyone know if the nutritional content of the sweet potato includes the cinn butter?

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  9. The baked sweet potato is delicious!

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  10. Looking for the baked sweet potato here {Brooklyn, NY) so far not available here.  Asked for it in one store they had no idea what I was talking about. 

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  11. If my local Wendy's is any indication, it looks like the Signature Sides have come and gone.

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