Wendy’s Menu Items & 35% Price Increases (2023)

Wendy’s wins the award for the biggest menu price increases of any fast food restaurant the past 3 years with a 35% jump in average menu prices. Many Wendy’s customers have found these price hikes hard to swallow. 

Take a deep breath and then take a look at the updated Wendy’s menu prices for 2023. I even share the most expensive menu item and smart ways to save money on your next order. 

Wendy’s menu poster.

Breakfast Combos

Breakfast Sandwiches

Sides

Coffee & Beverages

Combo Meals

Hamburgers

Chicken Sandwiches & Nuggets

Fresh-Made Salads

Fries & Sides

Frosty

Wendy’s Kids Meal

Wendy’s DoorDash promo.

Did Wendy’s Increase Menu Prices?

If you’ve been feeling the pinch in your wallet after a fast food run, you’re not alone. The past two years we’ve seen a significant rise in fast food prices with Wendy’s taking the lead in this trend by raising their menu prices by a mouth-dropping 35% according to reports. Overall, the fast food industry increased its prices by up to 13%

To put that into perspective, the average price of a burger at Wendy’s is now $4.44.

In comparison, Chick-fil-A saw a more modest (but still significant) overall price increase of 15.6% from 2021 to 2022. Even coffee shops have been bumping up prices with Dutch Bros raising their prices by 11% overall.

But although everything seemed to have increased in cost, Wendy’s increased their menu prices significantly more than competitors. 

According to the Wall Street Journal, food inflation has soared to levels unseen in more than four decades. This has impacted not only supermarket expenses but also the cost of eating out. The fast food industry, previously a stronghold of budget-friendly, quick meals, hasn’t been spared from this economic challenge. The escalating prices of essential ingredients such as hamburger, chicken, and oil have unavoidably driven up the costs on the menu.

The price increases over the past two year have been pretty obvious with some customers sharing the price hikes on social media and commenting on how shocked they were at the price increases. Some customers have even stated they will no longer dine at the restaurant with no combo meal being available for less than $10.  

What is the most expensive menu item at Wendy’s?

Baconator which is priced at $9.62 is Wendy’s most expensive menu item despite having a decrease in price. In September 2021, the Baconator was actually $12.13. So there is a silver lining when it comes to menu prices. 

Even after the decrease in price, Wendy’s Baconator is still the most expensive menu not just at Wendy’s, but it’s also price higher than any sandwich available at Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s. 

Experts point to bacon as the menu ingredient that primarily increases the price of this burger. One reason cited for the inflated price is the cost of producing bacon has increased in recent years due to a number of factors, including the rising cost of feed, labor, and transportation combined with other disruptions in the global pork market.

Free 10-piece Nuggs with DoorDash app.

What is Wendy’s $5 bag special?

Wendy’s $5 Biggie Bag is a popular combo where you can get a sandwich, a four-piece chicken nugget and a small fries, and a drink. You can choose between Wendy’s Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, Crispy Chicken BLT, and a Double Stack for the sandwiches. Aside from that, you can also choose to have either spicy or crispy chicken nuggets. 

For the beverage, Wendy’s offers a variety of sodas to choose from. You can also order bottled water, orange juice, coffee, or milk. 

The last time Wendy’s brought back the $5 Biggie Bag was in September 2022. This deal was also offered as a promotion in April 2022. I’ll let you know if this burger chain brings back the offer again. 

Wendy’s Chicken Nugget Prices + Order Sizes

Are you a fan of Wendy’s Chicken Nugget? Then let me share with you the latest prices and order sizes you can choose from. 

Wendy’s offers a 4-piece, 6-piece, 10-piece, and 20-piece chicken nugget. One order of 4-piece chicken nuggets will cost you $2.79, a 6-piece chicken nugget is priced at $4.01, a 10-piece is $6.45, and the 20-piece chicken nugget can be purchased for $8. 

I cannot find any articles stating that Wendy’s sells 25-piece chicken nuggets. I did, however, found one that says you can actually get a 50-piece chicken nuggets for only $15. This has not been verified. However, you could easily order two 20 piece chicken nuggets and one 10 piece to hit the 50 nugget mark if you need to feed a group. 

Wendy’s frosty with nerds.

Can you get 50 chicken nuggets at Wendy’s for $10?

This is false. According to this article, a TikTok user who posted about her buying a 50-piece chicken nugget at Wendy’s went viral leading many consumers to believe you could get 50 chicken nuggets for only $10. If you’re going to look at Wendy’s menu, there is no option to buy a 50-piece chicken nugget. I wasn’t able to get this deal either when I visited my local Wendy’s location. 

What is a premium meal at Wendy’s?

Peppermint Frosty from Wendy’s.

Did the $5 Biggie Bag replace the 4 for $4 Deal?

The $5 Biggie Bag did not replace the 4 for $4. They are two different promotions designed to attract price sensitive consumers. Both promotional meals contained different menu items. 

The 4 for $4 meal deal contains a Jr. cheeseburger, 4 chicken nuggets, small fries, and a small drink. On the other hand, the $5 Biggie Bag deal gives you the freedom to choose what sandwich you want for your order. You can choose from the Crispy Chicken BLT, Double Stack, or the Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger.

So, while both deals offer four menu items, you get to select the sandwich with the $5 Biggie Bag. Personally, I prefer the $5 Biggie Bag over the 4 for $4 meal deal due to the wider selection of options.

What is in the $5 Biggie Bag? 

Wendy’s introduced the $5 Biggie Bag deal in March 2019. The deal initially included a Bacon Double Stack, a 4-piece chicken nugget, small fries, and a small drink, providing a substantial meal for a competitive price.

A Bacon Double Stack: This is a burger with two beef patties, American cheese, six pieces of applewood smoked bacon, ketchup, mustard, pickle, and onion. Although they have changed the rules and now you’re not only limited to choosing a Bacon Double Stack, you can choose from Wendy’s Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, Crispy Chicken BLT, and a Double Stack.

Four-Piece Chicken Nuggets: Wendy’s classic breaded and fried chicken nuggets.

Small Fries: A small serving of Wendy’s natural-cut, sea salt fries.

Small Drink: A choice of any soft drink, such as Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, or Dr. Pepper.

Wendy’s serves square hamburger patties.

What does $4 for $4 mean at Wendy’s?

The 444 means 4 for $4 at Wendy’s. This was Wendy’s first value meal that was introduced back in 1989. This value menu contained the Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, 4-pc Nuggets, Small Fries, and a Small Drink.

The deal became popular and even inspired a rap song. The “4 for $4” deal now offers eight sandwich choices, including the Double Stack, Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, and go wraps, to go with your nuggets, fries, and drink. The availability of fresh beef and the price and participation for the “4 for $4” deal may vary.

What are the best ways to save money at Wendy’s?

Looking for ways you can save money at Wendy’s? Take note of these tips before you plan your next Wendy’s visit!

Join Wendy’s Rewards Program

Earn points points that can be redeemed for free food with every bite when you join Wendy’s Rewards. By joining the Wendy’s Rewards program, you’ll get a coupon for a free 10-piece chicken nuggets coupon and 150  bonus rewards points added to your account. You could redeem these bonus points to claim a free 4 piece chicken nuggets, small hot coffee, or small frosty.

For every $1 you spend on food, you’ll earn 10 points. It’s as simple as placing an order through the Wendy’s app, online, or scanning your QR code at the counter, pickup window, or kiosk. You even earn points when you pay for food using a gift card.

Related Reading: Culver’s Menu Prices in 2023: Why So Expensive? 

The smallest redemption items are a 4 pc chicken nugget, small hot coffee, and a small Frosty, all of which can be redeemed for just 150 points. This means you only need to spend $15 at Wendy’s to start reaping rewards. Here’s an overview of the free food items you can get and how many points you’ll need to accumulate.

• 4 pc Chicken Nuggets: 150 points
• Small Hot Coffee: 150 points
• Small Frosty: 150 points
• Small Fry: 200 points
• Small Seasoned Breakfast Potatoes: 200 points
• Sausage Biscuit: 200 points
• Crispy Chicken Sandwich: 250 points
• Small Chili: 250 points
• Double Stack: 300 points
• Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger: 300 points
• Kids’ Meal: 400 points
• Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit: 400 points
• Breakfast Baconator: 450 points
• Dave’s Single: 450 points
• Maple Bacon Chicken Croissant: 450 points
• Chicken Sandwich: 500 points
• Dave’s Double: 600 points
• Fresh Made Salad: 700 points
• Baconator: 700 points

But that’s not all! Wendy’s also offers opportunities to earn bonus points on certain items and complete challenges. So, keep an eye on the app for updates and maximize your points earning potential.

Meal Deals: Wendy’s has a value menu with items that are priced lower than regular menu items. Best of all you don’t need to join a loyalty program or app. You can check out the latest meal deals here. 

1. $5 Biggie™ Bag Meal Deal: This deal includes a sandwich, a four-piece chicken nugget, a junior fry, and a small soft drink. Customers can choose between a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, Crispy Chicken Sandwich, or Double Stack™ for the sandwich in the meal deal.
2. $6 Biggie™ Bag Meal Deal: For an additional $1, customers can upgrade their Biggie™ Bag experience. The $6 Biggie™ Bag Meal Deal offers a choice between a Crispy Chicken BLT or Bacon Double Stack™.
3. Frosty Option: Customers have the option to substitute the small drink in the Biggie Bag for a junior, small, or medium Frosty. However, the small and medium Frosty options will incur an additional charge.
4. 2 for $6 Meal Deal: This deal allows customers to choose two items from a selection that includes Dave’s Single®, Chicken Sandwich (Spicy or Crispy), 10 PC Nuggets, or Medium Lemonade.

Download the App for Limited-Time Promotions: Wendy’s often runs limited-time promotions are only available on the app. These can range from discounts on specific items to buy-one-get-one-free deals. An exclusive deal available right now is a promotion with the rapper T-Pain where you get a free small frosty with any order through the app.

Wendy’s Coupons. 

Use Coupons: Wendy’s is well-known for sending coupons by direct mail and including in newspapers and local magazines. Some of these coupons can save you a lot of money. Here are some of the official coupons that have been offered by Wendy’s over the last 24-months.

• $2 off any combo breakfast
• Free small chili with any purchase
• Free cookie with any meal purchase
• Free small frosty with any purchase
• Free 6-piece chicken nuggets with any purchase
• Free 4-piece French toast sticks
• $1.99 Wendy’s Kids’ Meal
• $1 off any salad
• $5 10-piece chicken nuggets combo (crispy or spicy)
• Buy one, get one free Baconator
• $5 Dave’s Double Small Combo

Use Discounted Gift Cards: Restaurants like Wendy’s regularly offer promotions and discounts on gift cards. One deal going on right now is available at Sam’s Club where you can get $30 worth of gift cards for only $28.98. This is a discount of 3.4%.

Remember, the availability of these offers can vary based on location and time, so always check with your local Wendy’s restaurant for the most accurate and current information.

Brief History of Wendy’s and Dave Thomas

Wendy’s is an international fast-food restaurant chain founded by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio, on November 15, 1969. The chain is known for its square hamburgers, sea salt fries, and the Frosty, a form of soft-serve ice cream mixed with frozen starches.

Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s, was born on July 2, 1932, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He was adopted as an infant and grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Thomas began his career in the restaurant industry at a young age, and he carried a passion for the fast-food business throughout his life.

Before founding Wendy’s, Thomas worked with Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Thomas is often credited with the creation of the KFC chicken bucket and with helping to expand the KFC brand through franchising.

In 1969, Thomas opened the first Wendy’s restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. Dave named the restaurant after his fourth child, Melinda Lou “Wendy” Thomas. The new restaurant was unique for its square burgers, which Thomas said allowed customers to see the quality of the meat.

Outside a Wendy’s location.

Dave Thomas was a familiar sight for Wendy’s customers, as he starred in many of the company’s commercials starting in the 1980s. Thomas became one of the most recognizable figures in fast-food marketing. He remained active in the company until he died in 2002.

Wendy’s grew rapidly and went public in 1971, and by 1976, there were 500 restaurants in operation. The company expanded internationally to Canada in 1975. Wendy’s is the third-largest hamburger fast-food chain in the world, with thousands of locations across the globe.

The restaurant is also known for its innovation in the fast-food industry. Wendy’s was one of the first chains to introduce a drive-thru window, which they called the “Pick-Up Window,” to serve customers on the go.

As of the latest information, Wendy’s continues to innovate and adapt to the changing fast-food landscape, and the legacy of Dave Thomas continues to shape the company’s philosophy and operations.

In terms of ownership, Wendy’s has undergone several changes. Dave Thomas was the primary owner until 1995 when he sold the brand to a consortium led by investment firm Triarc Companies Inc. Currently, Wendy’s is owned by The Wendy’s Company, a publicly-traded entity. As of my last update in 2021, a significant shareholder in the company is Nelson Peltz’s Trian Fund Management, an activist investment firm.