• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Southern Kissed logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
  • Travel
  • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
  • Travel
  • Privacy Policy
×

Home » Blog » Behind-the-Scenes Look at Wendy’s Salads

Behind-the-Scenes Look at Wendy’s Salads

By Lynda · Mar 30, 2015 · This post may contain affiliate links.

Have you ever wondered just how fresh are these salads you get at fast-food restaurants? I had a behind-the-scenes-look at Wendy’s and can confirm that their salads are as fresh as they come.

Wendy's in Georgia

Photo courtesy of Wendy’s.

Quality is our recipe® – Wendy’s commitment to using only the freshest ingredients and the best-tasting food is not just talk – it’s real.  I was invited for a behind-the-scenes look at their salads and was able to see for myself just how true that promise is.

From the moment I walked in the door at the Wendy’s on Howell Mill Road in Atlanta, I could see how dedicated Wendy’s employees – from corporate to local – are to ensuring that every customer’s dining experience is great and their food delicious.

Along with Arkeedah from ItsArkeedah and Amy from Marvelous Mommy, I saw first-hand the process of how Wendy’s core salads are made from raw ingredients into fantastic salads.

The Lettuce Story

The salads start with fresh romaine and iceberg lettuce.

Romaine lettuce being cleaned

Leaves that are not good are removed and the rest is washed and placed in an ice bath before being chopped into perfect bite-sized pieces.  The lettuce is then spun to remove excess moisture.  Next, the lettuce is combined with a spring mix which makes the salad base a blend of 11 varieties of lettuce.

Fresh veggies are also freshly prepared and chopped daily at each store.  Marinated chicken is grilled at each location and kept for no longer than an hour.  When a customer orders a salad, the chicken is then cut and placed on top of the salad.

women making salads

Arkeedah (left), Amy (right), and I got to make our own salads.  (Photo courtesy of Wendy’s.)

The Salads

Each of the salads starts with the fresh lettuce blend and is topped with tender all-white chicken.  Between those two layers are flavor combinations that will make your mouth water.

Wendy’s Apple Pecan Chicken Salad – crisp red and green apples from Michigan and Washington orchards, along with roasted pecans seasoned with sea salt, dried cranberries, and bleu cheese crumbles made with milk from Wisconsin make this Wendy’s best selling salad.

Wendy’s Asian Cashew Chicken Salad – fire-roasted edamame, spicy roasted cashews, sliced cucumbers, and chopped red peppers round out this tasty salad which happens to be the lowest in calories – only 380 calories for the full size.

Wendy’s BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad – fire-roasted corn, freshly diced tomatoes, freshly cooked Applewood Smoked bacon, and barbecue sauce top my favorite.

Wendy's Chicken Salads

While there, I learned about the My Wendy’s app (on iTunes App Store and Google play).  It’s a great tool when making your dining decisions.  You can even select a calorie range to view meals that will fit into your dietary plans.

Bloggers eating Wendy's Salads

Arkeedah, Lynda (me), Amy, and Jenna from Wendy’s
(Photo courtesy of Amy from Marvelous Mommy.)

After our tour, we got to enjoy our salads and learn more from Jenna, a food scientist at Wendy’s.  Naturally, I chose to make my favorite – the BBQ Ranch Chicken.  In the name of research, I tried the other two salads over the next two days.  All in the name of research, of course.  I can now personally vouch that they are all delicious.

Which salad would you like to try today?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.


Have you seen the salads this year?  Click here to read about the four premium salads being offered at Wendy’s – they are healthy fast food options you should try.

Sharing is caring!

10 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Yummly

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sandra says

    May 09, 2018 at 4:56 pm

    Is it safe to eat salads rite now. Because of the e-coli outbreak?? It is said to be found in the room lettuce.

    Reply
    • Sandra says

      May 09, 2018 at 4:57 pm

      *ROMAINE LETTUCE

      Reply
      • Lynda says

        May 09, 2018 at 5:12 pm

        I think it all depends on where you live.

        Reply
  2. Guest100 says

    June 17, 2017 at 6:57 pm

    First thing I looked for was whether their hands were gloved since they certainly are NOT in their commercials. The second thing I looked for was any hairnets and I see that NO ONE was wearing a hairnet while processing the food! DISGUSTING. Thank you for the REVEAL! I’ll be sure to spread the word and WARN everyone NOT to eat at Wendy’s!!!

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      June 18, 2017 at 10:07 am

      To clarify, they do wear gloves and hairnets. The pictures are of bloggers who had an inside glimpse of how Wendy’s fresh salads are made. That was a one-time event and we were not employees of Wendy’s. Wendy’s salads are among my favorite and I highly recommend them.

      Reply
  3. Jengoo says

    February 22, 2017 at 2:14 pm

    What kind of. Lue cheese do they use.
    Never had blue cheese like that before

    Reply
  4. Shell Feis says

    April 02, 2015 at 2:34 am

    Okay I can not WAIT to try the BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad! They all sound delicious, but that’s my go-to at other restaurants.

    Reply
  5. patti says

    March 31, 2015 at 8:12 pm

    makes me want to try one….are nutrition facts posted at the restaurant?

    Reply
    • Melissa (Wendy's employee) says

      August 12, 2016 at 9:07 am

      yes they are

      Reply
  6. patti says

    March 31, 2015 at 7:02 am

    Makes me want to go to Wendy’s more often. i usually do not buy fast-food salads, but I will give these a try.

    Reply
  7. Crystal says

    March 31, 2015 at 6:44 am

    Wendy’s has always been my favorite fast food restaurant just because of the quality and selection of food. I’ve had their salads before and they are really good!

    Reply
  8. valerieremymilora says

    March 31, 2015 at 2:33 am

    Thanks for sharing your behind the scenes experience with us. I discovered Wendy’s salads when my daughter was competing in martial arts. We were on the road a lot and I wanted convenient food that was on the healthy side of things and did’t break the bank. I love that they use a salad blend as I am not a huge fan of iceberg.

    Reply
  9. Swa-Rai (@swaraiblog) says

    March 30, 2015 at 10:39 pm

    Glad you got to learn more. Wendy’s makes the best salads.

    Reply
  10. Liz Mays says

    March 30, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    I had no idea they had a BBQ salad there. I’m so on it since I eat salads ALL the time!

    Reply
  11. @SensiblySara says

    March 30, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    Loos like you guys had fun making salads! I’d like the BBQ Ranch.

    Reply
  12. jasmine says

    March 30, 2015 at 8:42 pm

    hands down my favorite salads!

    Reply
  13. Ellen ThatChicMom says

    March 30, 2015 at 8:10 pm

    All 3 of those sound delicious! Wendy’s is from my hometown I have always been a fan!

    Reply
  14. simplybeingmommy says

    March 30, 2015 at 7:41 pm

    It’s good to know there are yummy options when you’re trying to make a better choice. Salads on the go are great for busy parents.

    Reply
  15. Jeannette says

    March 30, 2015 at 7:31 pm

    The salads look amazing and I’ve tried several of them already and love them. It’s so much fun to get a behind the scenes look at how they’re made.

    Reply
  16. Allison Cooper says

    March 30, 2015 at 6:32 pm

    The salads sound great! It’s nice to learn that there is a truly healthy alternative when eating on the go!

    Reply
  17. Kim Delatorre (@shopwithmemama) says

    March 30, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    Oh yum! I have always enjoyed Wendy’s salads! I like the BBQ Ranch!

    Reply
  18. Alicia says

    March 30, 2015 at 2:33 pm

    I have not tried Wendy’s salads yet, but these look delicious and like ones I would enjoy! Thanks so much for the post, I will be sure to try these next time we go out to eat.

    Reply
  19. MomMaven says

    March 30, 2015 at 12:28 pm

    Looks like a great event. I wish they only used iceberg lettuce. I cannot eat romaine 🙁

    Reply
    • Melissa (Wendy's employee) says

      August 12, 2016 at 9:09 am

      I’m sure you can get one made to order with iceberg instead of romaine in the salad itself! that shouldn’t be a problem!

      Reply
  20. Owen's Mom says

    March 30, 2015 at 11:39 am

    What a fun experience! I know the Apple Pecan salad was a staple for my MIL and myself when we ate out. I really enjoy when brands like this are transparent and show customers how much they care. Yay, Wendy’s!

    Reply
  21. Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says

    March 30, 2015 at 9:36 am

    I have never had a salad from Wendy’s before, but this makes me want to try one. They sound really, really good!

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      March 30, 2015 at 9:49 am

      They are fantastic!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Lynda and Johnny statue

My name is Lynda and I am a recovering sugar addict and travel junkie. I'm also a mom of two children & 2 dogs, wife of 1....and a messy cook taking life one bite at a time.

More about me →

Lately on the Blog

  • Taco Salad Bowl
  • Homemade Cinnamon Babka
  • Easy Strawberry Cake
  • Chick-Fil-A Macaroni and Cheese Copycat

Amazon Affiliate

The owner of SouthernKissed.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com as well as other retail websites.

Footer

↑ back to top

AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.

COPYRIGHT © 2021 SOUTHERN KISSED