Wendy’s sets itself apart from other fast-food chains with its popular chocolate frosty, and Wendy’s signature burgers are square. The burgers are square because founder Thomas thought that if the corners stuck out of the sides of the bun, customers could see the quality of the burger being used, according to the fast-food chain's history on its website.
Wendy’s (WEN) is taking a page out of the script from other fast-food chains that have taken the plunge into a new market. Wendy’s is branching out of what it would usually do and moving into an unknown market, the grocery market. Wendy’s isn’t the first to do so and won’t be the last either.
Chick-fil-A started selling its famous salad dressings, White Castle has been selling its hamburger sliders and Arby's sells its curly and crinkle-cut fries in the frozen foods section of grocery stores.
Image source: Joe Raedle/Getty
Wendy’s Selling Famous Chili in New Market
Wendy’s plans to sell its fan-favorite chili at your local grocery store. While this new product launch isn't coming straight from Wendy’s, it's being prepared by a reliable source. ConAgra Brands (CAG) made the announcement during its 2023 Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY) Conference that the fast-food chain's famous chili will be in grocery stores near you soon. After the announcement, one Instagrammer said the product was already on shelves at Kroger and another stated it was available on Instacart already as well.
While Wendy’s chili may be available in a select few locations already, more information will be available, “Closer to the National Launch,” according to Caitlin Davy, ConAgra Brands Manager of Brand Communications.
Wendy’s fan-favorite fast-food chili actually grew from the company’s desire to cut down on food waste. What should be no surprise is the meat in the chili is actually the same meat from the fresh never frozen hamburgers. Founder Dave Thomas said, “what do you do with leftover hamburger,” when asked about why the fast-food chain has chili on the menu. “It’s a real easy solution.”
While it may sound unappetizing to some, other people believe that having given the chili meat time to sit gives it time to gain its best flavor. So, making a move from the chili cooking at the restaurant to having it sit on the grocery shelf may seem like a logical next step.
Wendy’s Taking on Hormel
While Wendy’s is launching its chili in grocery stores, that could cause some uneasy feelings for Hormel Foods and its chili. Hormel (HRL) has been one of the main canned chili options at grocery stores and has been around since the 1930’s. Other companies like Campbell Soup Company (CPB) have shelf space too when it comes to the canned foods aisle, and with Wendy’s coming to the market it could cause some disruption in what may be considered an already saturated market. Hormel and Campbell's chilis were ranked the top two in a taste contest by Eat This, Not That!
Other brands of chili that made the cut to be included in the taste test ranking were, Amy's Organic Chili, Engine 2 Plant-Strong Organic Firehouse Chili and Modern Table Chili. While not all chili brands carry the same notoriety as the two top contenders and incoming competitor Wendy's, knowing what the competition tastes like is a good start for consumers.
Some consumers will love that they can now get their favorite chili and stock it in their pantry, others will still want to get it straight from Wendy's. If anyone is interested in seeing what canned Wendy's chili tastes like it should be rolled out nationwide later this year.
