When it comes to the ever-changing world of fast food, there’s an unspoken rule operating behind the scenes at all times: give your customers a reason to keep coming back.
Classic fast-food chains like McDonald’s or Burger King are lucky enough to have scored items, such as the Big Mac and the Whopper, that people crave enough to turn into longstanding classics.
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Even so, the most dedicated Big Mac fan in the world will still want to try something new from time to time.
That means even chains with those staple menu items need to keep innovating, making sure they meet the customer’s desire for comforting, familiar foods as well as foods they’ve never had before.
Related: Wendy’s menu adds whole new take on the Frosty
While all the major fast-food chains use this formula, some have hit it big with experimental items. That’s all the more reason to keep trying new offerings to see how they resonate with the customer.
Now Wendy’s (WEN) is doing that very thing with a new addition to its menu, and it’s something that fans of chicken chains like Popeyes may be very interested in.
Wendy’s latest “old fashioned” sandwich has a new spin.
Image source: Spencer Platt/Getty
Wendy’s debuts a new chicken sandwich
If you like Wendy’s for the burgers but rarely order chicken there, you may want to change up your order next time you hit the drive-thru.
Wendy’s introduced a new chicken sandwich on April 15 called the Cajun Crunch Spicy Chicken Sandwich. It features the classic fried filet topped with pepper jack cheese, lettuce, pickles, Cajun crispy onions, and spicy mustard.
Related: Wendy’s menu drops fan-favorite item
The new sandwich retails for $6.69 al la carte or can be packaged with a side and a drink as a meal. It is a limited-edition item, but Wendy’s has not announced how long it will be on sale.
Wendy’s is on a roll
Wendy’s announced positive fourth-quarter results during its February 2025 earnings call, leading president and CEO Kirk Tanner to say he is “excited about the opportunities” and that he has a clear roadmap for the future.
“I am proud of our fourth-quarter performance, delivering a strong quarter while outpacing the category. This resulted in our 14th consecutive year of global same-restaurant sales growth,” Tanner said.
During its 2025 Investor Day on March 6, Wendy’s announced plans for several upgrades to its business, including updates to core menu items alongside new products.
One upcoming menu change is a new take on the Frosty called Frosty Fusions and Frosty Swirls, which will be released this spring and will allow customers to add mix-ins to the classic dessert treat, much like the McDonald’s McFlurry.
Wendy’s also promised an upcoming collaboration with cult snack favorite Takis. This is a smart move on its part, as other fast-food brands like Taco Bell have seen great customer interest in collaboration items such as its Birthday Cake Churros, a crossover with popular New York dessert cafe Milk Bar.
Wendy’s upgrades also go beyond the menu. The restaurant chain says it will continue to upgrade its mobile app and loyalty program, as well as adding digital menu boards. Last but hardly least, Wendy’s has also introduced what it calls FreshAi, which it says will be “an assistant, not a replacement” to the humans that take customer orders at the drive-thru.
Related: Taco Bell launches new menu item customers can crunch
