Wendy's is trying out a new pretzel-style bun made to sell with its bacon cheeseburger in Miami for a limited time.
Though it appears to only be launched in a small test market, the possibility of a Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger would mark the latest "fast food innovation" to come out lately as brands fight for mind, and stomach, share.
Wendy's executives have already said they plan to use better breads in the year ahead as a relatively low-cost way to raise perceptions about the quality of its food.
Even as Wendy's pushes to reinvent itself, however, the value menus remain a staple for the chain and the broader fast-food industry. Wendy's recently did away with the "99-cent" menu in favor of a value menu called "Right Size Right Price" to give it more flexibility in offering foods at prices up to $2.
Wendy's really wants to improve the eating public's perception of its food quality, especially as climbing meat costs force it to raise prices and independent competitors like Five Guys, In-N-Out Burger and Whattaburger squeeze its burger market share. Wendy's recently drifted away from its 99-cent menu in favor of a "Right Size, Right Price" value menu with items topping out at $2.
