DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) — A recent menu update by central Ohio-based Wendy’s has become the source of online drama for fans of the fast-food chain.
At the end of September, the restaurant introduced its new crispy chicken tenders, also referred to as “Tendys,” along with six new dipping sauces. In a news release, it announced that these tenders would become a “new core menu item” at Wendy’s nationwide. The company also stated that certain locations would begin referring to the product officially as “Tendy’s” in October, “because fans will know these chicken tenders on a first-name basis.”
“Wendy’s new Tendys are bold, juicy and crispy, paired with a lineup of new sauces that deliver a uniquely Wendy’s experience for fans in every bite,” said Becky Davis, Wendy’s vice president of global culinary innovation. “Ever since we launched our first Spicy Chicken Sandwich, to our beloved chicken nuggets and now our brand new Tendys, we are always exploring ways to innovate with chicken and deliver for our customers across our chicken lineup.”
The Tendys were described as a premium product made of all-white-meat chicken with a crunchy breading on the outside. Wendy’s noted that it would be available in three- or four-piece selections and could be sold à la carte or as part of a combo meal. A kids’ meal option would also be offered as a two-piece serving.
“Consumers told us what they wanted in a chicken tender, and we listened — taste-tested, fine-tuned and delivered,” said Wendy’s U.S. chief marketing officer, Lindsay Radkoski. “With six bold new sauces, fans can dip, dunk and customize their Tendys with every bite!”
The new sauces included the creamy and spicy Wendy’s Signature, the creamy and hot Scorchin’ Hot, along with Sweet Chili, Creamy Ranch, Honey BBQ and Honey Mustard. Regular orders come with two dip packages free of charge, while the kids’ version has one cup.
Shortly after the tenders launched in early October, a warning on social media put Wendy’s fans on notice about the items’ availability.
“Just got word that tenders are selling so well that by next week, there may be a shortage of product since it wasn’t expected to sell so well,” said one person on the Wendy’s subreddit. “On a related note, we started the product last week on Monday, and my store had already ran out by the middle of Wednesday that same week. I also had the misfortune to work in a busier store and they were going through cases of the stuff cause people would rather [have] that than the chicken nuggets.”
Then, just over a week later, social media lit up with posts from customers trying to find the item.
“My local Wendy’s had them on the app for a week or two,” offered another poster. “I had thought to try them sometime this weekend but now they are non-existent. I thought maybe my location was just out, but none of the Wendy’s within 20 miles of me are serving any. I also checked near my in-laws (same state, an hour away) and none of the ones near them have tenders on the menu either.”
A recent check of Wendy’s online menu indicates that the chicken tenders are not listed at all central Ohio locations, but they are available at some.
Beyond the availability issue with the chicken, Wendy’s decision to update its sauces, specifically the disappearance of its Sweet and Sour sauce, was a source of online outrage.
In a post titled “Wendy’s just discontinued Sweet and Sour Sauce,” a Redditor posted a picture of the new Sweet Chili sauce with the caption, “I actually cannot believe that this is happening. I LOVE the sweet and sour sauce and they discontinued it for this monstrosity of a condiment. I’m at a loss for words … Don’t know if I’ll step foot inside one again.”
The post received nearly 300 comments, many of them lamenting the loss of the condiment.
“Man I miss sweet and sour, I just ate my nuggets with a bbq sauce I had in my room,” said one commenter. “Now they have honey bbq 😩 someone help lol.”
“ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Humongous L by Wendy’s,” said another person. “Like that makes me furious because they have bomb sweet and sour. Now I’m scared to see the rest of these new sauces coming.”
“I specifically go for chicken nuggets with sweet and sour sauce,” echoed someone else. “In my mind, there are no other options. I will seriously choose other fast food restaurants if sweet and sour is not an option.… I like Wendy’s fries, nuggets, French toast sticks, drinks, chicken sandwich, but the sauce pulls it together for me.”
“Today was probably my last day at Wendy’s,” read one dramatic comment. “Saw I had sweet chili in the bag, drove back, got handed more sweet chili, and was told the news. I’m suffering through sweet chili because it’s better than dry nuggets, but I think I’m done coming here. Sweet and sour was probably my favorite sauce anywhere.”
Others shared that they were opposed to the whole new sauce lineup.
“Yup, they are dropping every sauce but honey mustard, the least-selling condiment staying,” stated another commenter. “We’ll see how long it lasts, as it’s an update for their tenders that will probably fail.”
Additionally, a petition on Change.org, labeled “2025 Bring Back Wendy’s Sweet & Sour Sauce!” has garnered more than 1,600 signatures. The plea highlighted that Wendy’s customers are disappointed with the “replacement” of Sweet and Sour with Sweet Chili.
“All in all, there is an abundance of support and love for this sauce, and many can agree that their Wendy’s experience will be either never the same or nonexistent following this new development,” reads the document.
Wendy’s has not yet responded to the online appeal from customers.
