Former employees of Wendy's are lifting the lid on what really goes on behind the counter, and some of their claims are enough to put even loyal customers off their next order. The chain's chili, one of its longest-running menu staples, is at the center of the backlash after ex-staffers and online commenters revealed how it is made.
How the Chili Is Prepared
According to reports flagged by Mashed and backed up by posts on Reddit, the chili is prepared using leftover hamburger patties that were cooked but not sold the day before. One former worker claimed the beef is taken once it has dried out, stored overnight, then broken up and added into the chili mix the following morning. Another user said that while the practice helped reduce waste, it also changed how they viewed the dish, even if it was technically safe to eat.
Customer Reactions
Some customers said the revelation was enough to turn them off completely. 'Since hearing Wendy's adds leftover beef, I refuse to order their chili,' one person wrote. Others complained about declining quality, with one saying the chili now tastes 'bland' and contains less meat than it used to. Wendy's former employees shared their thoughts on the menu item they would skip from the menu.
Wendy's chili contains ground beef, tomato puree, kidney beans, pinto beans, onions, diced tomatoes, celery, and green bell peppers. Wendy's has served its iconic chili, made with ground beef, kidney beans, and pinto beans, since 1969. It has become one of the most recognizable items on the menu, along with the spicy chicken nuggets.
The Daily Mail previously reported founder Dave Thomas created the chili after many 'marathon cooking sessions.' 'Being a resourceful man - and a little ahead of his time - Dave Thomas inherently understood the concept of food recovery,' Wendy's said. 'And by building the brand on the promise of serving fresh, never frozen beef, Dave knew his hamburgers would have a shorter shelf-life.'
Since 2023, Wendy's has been selling canned versions of its iconic chili, expanding to include a 'Baconator' flavor and a no-bean version. At Walmart, a single can is available for about $4.62.
Other Menu Items Ex-Staff Avoid
Chili aside, other menu items made the list of skips for former employees. One Reddit user said that while they occasionally 'craved' a burger, they ended up getting 'sick' of the beef option after having it too often. 'Chicken sandwiches were awesome, just didn't care for the spicy chicken,' they added. 'I usually make my own grilled chicken salad for lunch,' another social media user chimed in. 'Don't care for the new fries.'
Wendy's revamped its fries a handful of times since opening, the most recent being 2021. The new recipe focused on keeping them crispier for longer - for at least half an hour after they were cooked. Wendy's menu features fan-favorite items like the Baconator, Dave's Double, and spicy nuggets.
Wendy's Financial Struggles
Wendy's remains one of America's best-known fast food giants, trailing behind McDonald's and Burger King in terms of store count. Last year, Wendy's warned Wall Street that revenue at its 6,000 US locations tumbled 4.7 percent in the last quarter. That is the equivalent of about 1.7 million fewer Junior Cheeseburgers sold at the chain.
Like many of its rivals, Wendy's is now battling a new reality: Americans are cutting back on eating out as prices soar, paychecks shrink, and competitors slash prices. To recapture some momentum, the brand told investors that it would close down 300 underperforming stores.
