Wendy's New Packaging

[marthachick]

I went to Wendy's for lunch today & started wondering something. Our Wendy's started placing their "premium sandwiches" in a cardboard carton similar to the fry carton in addition to wrapping them in the paper. They do this with dining in and take out/drive-thru. I sometimes feel guilty at the tremendous amount of trash from take out meals anyway. This is going to add to that guilt. I am not a "tree hugger" but I do try to reduce trash if possible. I emailed Wendy's asking them to re-think this. Yes, it looks nice & is neat, but sure wastes a lot of trees! Are all Wendy's doing this?

 

[Erin1700]

Hmmmm, I don't know. But I will be a nice Dis friend and make sure I go to Wendy's this weekend for lunch so I can check it out. Really, I don't mind doing this for you! And I will take my kids with me to conduct this research for you! Should I check out the packaging on the Frosty too?

(it does seem silly for them to do that)

 

[auntfrannie]

I noticed they were doing it this week around Pittsburgh. You would think the foil wrapper would keep the food warmer longer so I don't understand the change.

I can't see the point in wrapping it in paper then stuffing it in a fry container. It's not like you can partially unwrap it and use the cardboard container as a holder.

 

[annej]

I got the new packaging the other day and I have to say I was not thrilled by it. Too much trash and it was easier with takeout to leave most of the burger wrapped in the foil as you ate it. Much less messy! Not thrilled with new fries either!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I haven't see the new packaging, because I haven't been inclined to go to Wendy's since they changed the burger. It is a heavy, thick, gobby, greasy, thing... now with two slices of cheese, one on each side, to seal in all the heavy, thick, gobby, greasiness.

And, those sweet type pickles... etc.

Wendy's used to be a standby for us.

Now, I end up thinking just Ewwwwwww!!!

I think I actually enjoyed Hardee's better when my son got me to stop there for lunch the other day.

I can remember when I would be happy to go there and order a classic Wendy's chicken sandwich... and the ingredients were all very simple things that you could pronounce. I knew I could eat that without anything bothering me. Now, everything at Wendy's is the same old pre-fab, artificial ingredient, stuff.

Can't even order a baked potato. Look at what they serve for butter/margarine. Total fake grease crap that tastes like popcorn salt.

Wendy's has taken a good thing, in many instances, and ruined it.
Dave would be rolling over in his grave.

( The special spicy chicken asiago sandwich is till so good, though )

 

[FireDancer]

I'm going to keep waste out of the landfills by not going to Wendy's. Problem solved. We all have to do our part.

Ok, really, if you feel guilty about it couldn't you recycle the waste? I believe both the cardboard and the paper wrapper are recyclable while the foil wrappers probably weren't. While using both sounds a bit odd perhaps this is actually an effort to be more environmentally friendly.

 

[tebi73]

I was just complaining about Wendy's "new" stuff today to my husband. I don't usually eat there, but our son wanted to stop last night after his baseball game. Total grossness! Those nasty pickles that can't decide if they're sweet or sour were especially barfy! Now I know why I don't eat there!

 

[marthachick]

Hmmmm, I don't know. But I will be a nice Dis friend and make sure I go to Wendy's this weekend for lunch so I can check it out. Really, I don't mind doing this for you! And I will take my kids with me to conduct this research for you! Should I check out the packaging on the Frosty too?

(it does seem silly for them to do that)

Erin - Thanks for your help in research. And I didn't get a Frosty, so you might want to check that out while you're there for sure.

I noticed they were doing it this week around Pittsburgh. You would think the foil wrapper would keep the food warmer longer so I don't understand the change.

I can't see the point in wrapping it in paper then stuffing it in a fry container. It's not like you can partially unwrap it and use the cardboard container as a holder.

AuntFrannie - I don't understand it either. If I get a reply with a reason, I'll let everyone know.

I got the new packaging the other day and I have to say I was not thrilled by it. Too much trash and it was easier with takeout to leave most of the burger wrapped in the foil as you ate it. Much less messy! Not thrilled with new fries either!

AnneJ - I agree it is harder to deal with if you're wanting to leave part of it wrapped while eating.

And, those sweet type pickles... etc.

Wishing - I think they're maybe a bread & butter pickle. Liked the dill better myself!

Ok, really, if you feel guilty about it couldn't you recycle the waste? I believe both the cardboard and the paper wrapper are recyclable while the foil wrappers probably weren't. While using both sounds a bit odd perhaps this is actually an effort to be more environmentally friendly.

Firedancer - I did recycle what I could. And I hadn't though maybe it might be better than the foil. Maybe they'll let me know why they're doing it.

I was just complaining about Wendy's "new" stuff today to my husband.

Tebi - Yes, not all changes are for the best are they?

Thanks all for the replies - I was just wondering if it was a local thing or chain-wide changes.

 

[NAB]

Yes the frosty containers have changed too. They are like a slurpee cup. Clear plastic with a dome top.

I was thrown of by the new way they wrap the sandwiches too. I am thinking they would be fully wrapped if you were taking them to go but not sure. I stayed and the sandwich is half exposed and don't think I like it that way. I think the paper is to hold on too while eating .You don't have to fold it down just take it out of the box and eat.

 

[S. C.]

Ours did that too last week. We ate in and the sandwiches were not completely wrapped. I hope they wrap them all the way up for drive thru.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I had a sandwich in the drive through and didn't even see the box because it didn't come out of the bag. It made the sandwich a little hard to get out of the bag, and the rest of the paper didn't really stay on the sandwich. I'm not a fan.

 

[NAB]

I had a sandwich in the drive through and didn't even see the box. It made the sandwich a little hard to get out of the bag, and the rest of the paper didn't really stay on the sandwich. I'm not a fan.

Was it totally wrapped in paper though? Inside it was half exposed.

 

[JessicaR]

Looks like this.

 

[hambirg]

I really think it has to do with local communities and their regulations on recycling. There are apparently municipalities in CA that charge a fee to fast food businesses for their waste. If it is 100% recyclable then no fee. I think it is easier for national chains, like Wendy's, to make the changes across the board. I'm betting it is something like this that is driving this. The carton and the paper is 100% recyclable, while the foil lined wrap is not.

I agree though. That looks like a pretty crappy design. Why not just a paper wrap or a cardboard carton?

ETA- I worked at McDonald's all through high school. I can't imagine putting 4 of those sandwiched above in a bag for drive-thru. What a mess!

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

It was totally wrapped in the drive through, but the paper didn't stay together as well as the old paper.

 

[C.Ann]

Looks like this.

That does not look consumer friendly to me at all..

 

[pixiewings71]

They are like In & Out.

We had Wendy's last week for the first time in a long time. I had no issues with the new packaging at all, our burgers (and chicken) were fully wrapped and placed in the holder, I actually liked it because I was able to put my burger back into the holder while I did sometihng else. I also didn't think the pickles were gross at all......and I am a HUGE pickle snob, seriously......I am such a pickle snob that I refuse to eat burgers certain places because the pickles are so bad. lol I very much enjoyed my Wendy's meal that night. Oh and we got 2 Frosty's, 1 was the one with Oreo cookies in it, that one came in a clear plastic cup, the other was a standard Frosty and it was served in a normal small yellow plastic cup, same as they always have been.

 

[disykat]

Did they always butter their buns? The last two times I've been I've been kind of grossed out. I don't remember that ever before. I noticed their commercials are now advertising some of their special burgers as having butter, but mine was a regular single.

I went to Wisconsin and ate "butter burgers" and liked them. Butter on my Wendy's burger was just wrong! If I go again I'll ask for "no butter."

It's funny how tastes are different. People are complaining about the new fries. I've never been able to stomach their fries before, and I thought these were much better. I'll still stick to salads though.

I don't eat pickles on burgers so I can't weigh in on them. If they are sweet pickles I'd proably like them better though.

 

[disfan07]

They are like In & Out.

We had Wendy's last week for the first time in a long time. I had no issues with the new packaging at all, our burgers (and chicken) were fully wrapped and placed in the holder, I actually liked it because I was able to put my burger back into the holder while I did sometihng else. I also didn't think the pickles were gross at all......and I am a HUGE pickle snob, seriously......I am such a pickle snob that I refuse to eat burgers certain places because the pickles are so bad. lol I very much enjoyed my Wendy's meal that night. Oh and we got 2 Frosty's, 1 was the one with Oreo cookies in it, that one came in a clear plastic cup, the other was a standard Frosty and it was served in a normal small yellow plastic cup, same as they always have been.

I wa sjust about to say the same thing abou tin n out. That's how they package their burgers even for take out and drive through. I understand the complaint about the double packaging but I don't understand the issue with the way they wrap the burger. Have never had a problem with it. Don't see the big deal But maybe that's just because I'm used to it at
in -n -out.

However, we have a wendys on campus and everything is packaged to go and I have not seen any changes in the way they package their food.

 

[MIGrandma]

Haven't had a burger from Wendy's in awhile, but I think I would like the new packaging. The cardboard box will keep the burger from getting smashed, I hate smushed-down burgers like they get when they're only wrapped in paper and then just thrown in the bag with fries, etc. on top.

Oh, I the fries, they're better than McD's now. I've always preferred fries that still have the skin on them.