News

Wendy's Upgrades French Fries

The new fries are meant to stay crispy for delivery.

Published Aug. 30, 2021

Updated Aug. 30, 2021
MIAMI - JUNE 08:  Wendy's french fries and chicken nuggets are placed in an order June 8, 2006 in Miami, Florida. In a move that significantly reduces trans fatty acids on its menu, Wendy's is making the switch to non-hydrogenated cooking oil for its French fries and breaded chicken items. The oil has zero grams of trans fat per serving.  (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle / Getty Images)
Image courtesy of Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Fast food chain Wendy's is adapting to the pandemic era with a new French fry formulation intended to keep fries crispy during delivery.

According to CNN Business, which first reported the news, the upgrade is four years in the making and includes a new fry design and cooking method intended to improve crispiness.

"What we've done is balance the cut of the fry and kept a little bit of the skin of the potato on the fry to be able to drive flavor," Wendy's President Kurt Kane told CNN Business. "We used a batter system that allows us to be able to maintain crispiness, both when they're fresh and hot out of the fryer as well as several minutes later."

A spokesperson for Wendy's told Snopes in an email that the company is currently rolling out the new fries, dubbed Hot & Crispy Fry, first to the U.S. and Canada primarily, with plans to get the new fries into all locations by October 2021.

Per CNN Business, the restaurant chain hasn't updated its fries since 2010.

In July 2021, a restaurant in New York City went viral for creating a plate of fries that set the Guinness world record for priciness, at $200 per serving. The restaurant served items like pricey French champagne, truffles and edible gold.


Sources

Business, Jordan Valinsky, CNN. “CNN Business Exclusive: Wendy’s Is Upgrading Its French Fries.” CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/26/business/wendys-new-french-fries/index.html. Accessed 30 Aug. 2021.

Updates

Updated with comment from Wendy's spokesperson.

Bethania Palma is a journalist from the Los Angeles area who started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and has covered everything from crime to government to national politics. She has written for ... read more