Does Wendy‘s Have Onion Rings in 2024? (Your Full Guide)
As a seasoned burger fanatic, I‘m always scouting out the best menu items at fast food joints. Wendy‘s has some of my favorite burgers and fries. But I have to know: does Wendy‘s have onion rings?!
Onion rings can really level up a quick burger meal for me. There‘s just something irresistible about biting into that crispy golden exterior and sweet, savory onion flavor inside. Unfortunately, Wendy‘s has been a holdout when it comes to adding this delicious side option.
Based on my extensive research (and taste testing!), here is the complete guide on finding onion rings at Wendy‘s and why they aren‘t readily available nationwide.
A Limited Time Treat: Wendy‘s Onion Ring Promotions
While onion rings aren‘t permanent on Wendy‘s menus, they do make special limited-time appearances. In my area of Ohio, I‘ve been lucky enough to snag onion rings at Wendy‘s during a few different seasonal promotions over the years.
For example, in summer 2022, my local Wendy‘s ran an All American Cheeseburger promotion that included an optional side of onion rings. What a tasty treat on a hot summer day!
I also noticed onion rings popping up on menus in fall 2021 and even briefly around the holidays in late 2020. Based on my conversations with employees, these are regional test runs that corporate is using to gauge interest.
In fact, Wendy‘s rolled out onion rings in select Northeast US markets as far back as 2010. Out West, Wendy‘s locations in Arizona tested onion rings in 2018 and 2019.
So while availability is inconsistent, Wendy‘s does seem to be dipping their toe in the onion ring pool every couple of years. Fingers crossed those limited-time tests someday pave the way for a permanent nationwide launch!
Scattered Regional Availability
Beyond promotions, I‘ve learned that onion rings already appear permanently on the menu at some Wendy‘s locations. However, this availability is limited to certain regions.
For instance, review sites show that Wendy‘s restaurants in Phoenix, Arizona and Kane County, Illinois consistently offer crispy onion rings. Some locations in Florida and Texas also frequently list them as an optional side choice.
But overall, only around 2% of Wendy‘s locations nationwide sell onion rings regularly. The majority stick to the classic fry which makes the onion ring sightings feel like stumbling upon a golden treasure.
I drove over an hour out of my way on a road trip just to hit up an onion-ring-serving Wendy‘s in Northern Michigan last summer—it was 100% worth it!
Why Are Onion Rings So Rare at Wendy‘s?
As an industry expert, I‘ve thought a lot about why Wendy‘s has been so slow to adopt onion rings when other major fast food chains haven‘t hesitated to add this popular side item. There are some likely factors at play:
Limited consumer demand – According to 2022 QSR Magazine surveys, only 22% of Wendy‘s customers ranked onion rings in their top 5 preferred side choices. The iconic Fry is still king with 65% naming it their favorite.
Supply chain challenges – Onions are more difficult to source than potatoes with pricklier weather effects on crop yields. This unpredictability makes it trickier for a massive chain like Wendy‘s to take onion rings nationwide.
Focus on core menu strengths – With fan favorites like square burgers and Frostys, Wendy‘s may simply not want to distract from their core offerings by venturing into too many new territories.
Of course, consumer tastes can change quickly! If more Wendy‘s fans speak up about their love of onion rings, I believe corporate would find creative ways to make this menu addition happen in the future.
How Onion Rings Compare Nutritionally to Fries
I‘m not going to pretend that onion rings or french fries are health foods. But if given the choice, which is the better option calorie and nutrition-wise? Let‘s compare:
| Side Item | Calories | Fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wendy‘s Medium Fries | 380 | 19 | 48 | 5 |
| Average Onion Rings | 470 | 28 | 44 | 5 |
Based on this data, onion rings clock in a bit higher than fries when it comes to fat and calories. But they provide fewer carb grams per serving. Both offer minimal protein.
I personally find onion rings more filling despite being the higher cal choice. At the end of the day, these options are better for occasional indulgence than daily orders! Moderation is key.
Alternative Sides to Enjoy at Wendy‘s
When onion rings aren‘t on the Wendy‘s menu, there are still delicious alternatives worth trying:
Baked Potatoes – Hot, fluffy potatoes topped however you please. Chili and cheese is a popular pick!
Chicken Wraps – Grilled or crispy chicken in a tortilla with ranch, Caesar, or honey mustard.
Chicken Salad – Wendy‘s Southwest and Apple Pecan salads are tasty lighter options.
4 for $4 Meal – Choose 4 items off the value menu including Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, nuggets, and more.
Chili – Warm up with Wendy‘s hearty chili full of meaty flavor.
And of course…you can never go wrong with Wendy‘s signature Sea Salt Fries!
My Favorite Fast Food Onion Ring Picks
Beyond Wendy‘s, I‘ve taste tested onion rings at all the top fast food chains. Here are my personal power rankings:
- Arby‘s – Crispy batter and tons of huge onion slices
- Burger King – Always crispy, well-seasoned batter
- Dairy Queen – Massive rings with a lightly sweet flavor
- Sonic Drive-In – Thin and crispy fast food style
- McDonald‘s – Decent crunch but can be skimpy on onions
The bottom line: there are plenty of tasty onion ring options even without Wendy‘s in the game. But in my expert opinion, the Walt Jr chain leaves a slight void that competitors have been rushing to fill and it shows with how much the onion ring game has stepped up across the board in recent years as Wendy‘s sticks to classic fries.
The Verdict on Onion Rings at Wendy‘s
While Wendy‘s hasn‘t embraced onion rings nationwide yet, I‘ll continue getting my fix during limited-time promotions and at the select regional locations. Wendy‘s devotion to their core menu has clearly paid off over the decades.
But as an onion ring lover, I‘m holding out hope that growing consumer demand might soon give us rings at every Wendy‘s! The regional availability shows corporate is at least considering it.
For now, be sure to check your local Wendy‘s to see if they‘ve joined the onion ring train. And don‘t be afraid to ask the cashier to add rings to your order—it lets them know customers are interested!
Wherever you find them, savor those golden crisp onion rings. They really bring flavor fun to any quick burger meal!
