DUBLIN, OHIO, July 9, 2010 – Wendy’s, the chain that first brought the salad bar to fast food customers over 30 years ago, then pioneered the premium salad offering with their Garden Sensations line in 2002, is reinventing QSR salads once again. The new fresh and flavorful line-up – Apple Pecan Chicken, BLT Cobb, Spicy Chicken Caesar and Baja – is now available in restaurants nationwide.
The four reinvented salads combine real ingredients and fresh preparation to deliver an unrivaled taste in every bite. With Wendy’s new salads, customers can experience high-quality ingredients and flavor combinations similar to what they would expect in a café or casual dining restaurant, but with the great value and convenience they expect from Wendy’s.
The salads are prepared fresh in-store and topped with a variety of premium ingredients not usually found at fast food restaurants: spring mix with nine types of greens; fruits like cranberries and two types of apples; real blue cheese crumbles and shaved Asiago; fresh Pico de Gallo and guacamole; roasted pecans and warm chicken. Then each salad is served with Marzetti’s all natural and preservative-free dressings, made especially for Wendy’s, including Pomegranate Vinaigrette, Avocado Ranch, Lemon Garlic Caesar and Creamy Red Jalapeño.
The new line-up was first revealed to four test markets, Nashville, TN. Columbus, OH, Salt Lake City, UT and Richmond, VA, earlier this year and produced strong results. Sales of the salads exceeded expectations and customer reviews were highly favorable, spurring Wendy’s to launch the salads as a permanent menu item.
“We are raising the bar on salads again,” says Ken Calwell, chief marketing officer for Wendy’s.
“Wendy’s new premium salads offer the high-quality ingredients and choice that our customers crave. After a successful round of testing, we are thrilled to be bringing these new options to consumers nationwide.”
Wendy’s new salads are available nationwide at the suggested retail price $5.99. Prices will vary.
About the salads:
Apple Pecan Chicken Salad
A blend of fresh lettuce and spring mix salad greens, topped with real blue cheese crumbles, U.S. grown, hand-picked Granny Smith and sweet red apple pieces, roasted pecans seasoned with sea salt, cayenne pepper and sugar, dried Ocean Spray cranberries and warm grilled chicken. This salad comes with all natural, preservative-free Pomegranate Vinaigrette dressing.
BLT Cobb Salad
A blend of fresh lettuce and spring mix salad greens, topped with two strips of Applewood Smoked Bacon, freshly chopped tomatoes, real blue cheese crumbles, chopped hard boiled eggs and warm grilled chicken. This salad is served with all natural, preservative-free creamy Avocado Ranch dressing.
Baja Salad
A blend of fresh lettuce and spring mix salad greens, topped with natural cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, guacamole made with Hass avocados, freshly prepared Pico de Gallo, all natural tortilla chips, and Wendy’s famous rich and meaty chili. This salad is served with all natural, preservative-free Creamy Red Jalapeno dressing.
Spicy Chicken Caesar
A bed of fresh romaine lettuce topped with vine ripened grape tomatoes, natural shaved Asiago cheese, French bread croutons seasoned with sea salt, black pepper and garlic and Wendy’s famous Spicy Chicken. This salad is served with all natural, preservative-free Lemon Garlic Caesar dressing.
Wendy’s will also continue to offer the Garden and Caesar side salads:
Garden Side Salad
A blend of fresh salad greens, topped with grape tomatoes, matchstick carrots, and French bread croutons seasoned with sea salt, black pepper and garlic. This salad is served with the customer’s choice of dressing.
Caesar Side Salad
A bed of fresh salad greens, topped with shaved Asiago cheese, grape tomatoes, French bread croutons seasoned with sea salt, black pepper and garlic. This salad is served with all natural, preservative-free Lemon Garlic Caesar dressing.
Source: Wendy's International
