Wendy's restaurants across the country are experiencing a shortage of a vital ingredient. This has left many customers disappointed and frustrated with their meals.
Fans of the fast-food chain have taken to social media to express their outrage. Many have shared their dissatisfaction after finding their favorite burgers affected by the shortage. Wendy's is working hard to find a solution to this issue.
Wendy's Faces Nationwide Lettuce Shortage
The fast-food company has admitted that Wendy's is experiencing a lettuce shortage.
A Wendy's website and app notice reads: "Some restaurants are experiencing sandwich lettuce shortages due to heavy rain in the growing region. Your understanding is appreciated as we aim to provide a fresh solution for all our customers."
Wendy's sources its lettuce from fields in California and Arizona. Both states experienced heavy rain and flooding in February, with continued downpours in California throughout March and April.
Wendy's is experimenting with growing lettuce in greenhouses to avoid future weather-related disruptions.
Customers have been surprised to find regular burgers served without lettuce, and some have also noted a lack of tomatoes.
One customer shared on X, "I ordered six Singles today. Only had onions and ketchup. It looks like the lettuce and tomatoes are on vacation."
Another posted a photo of their burger without lettuce, saying, "Wendy's, I ordered a Jr. bacon cheeseburger and other items. I understand a lettuce shortage, but where's the tomato slice?"
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Another diner expressed frustration about trying to order a salad. "I went to two Wendy's, and neither had lettuce for my salad. That's crazy."
Servers at affected Wendy's locations inform customers of the shortage before placing orders. Wendy's has 6,200 locations nationwide, though not all are affected by the shortage.
Wendy's Grapples with Lettuce Shortage
Wendy's informed DailyMail.com that they are diligently working to address the lettuce shortage, but securing a new supplier could take several months.
In 2020, Wendy's initiated a project in Canada to cultivate lettuce in greenhouses, aiming to prevent similar issues.
"We are seeing more extreme weather events. It's really about supply assurance that you can create a more stable, less volatile supply," Liliana Esposito, Wendy's chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer, told Bloomberg last year.
It is unclear if other restaurants will be affected by the bad weather, which has affected salad supplies. A similar lettuce shortage at the end of 2022 impacted Taco Bell, Subway, and Chick-fil-A.
When customers open the Wendy's app, they see a notice: "Due to heavy rain in the growing region, some restaurants are experiencing sandwich lettuce shortages. We appreciate your understanding as we work to provide a fresh solution for all our customers."
The same message appears on digital kiosks or servers for those ordering in affected restaurants, informing them directly.
After receiving a lettuce-free Dave's burger on a recent trip to Wendy's, David Martin from LA, California, said, "Come on! You cannot serve a burger without lettuce. It's a key fixing."
Wendy's told DailyMail.com that it hopes to resolve the shortage "very soon." The company also stated that its salads and wraps are not affected.
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