Wendy's Secret: Baked Potatoes Unveiled

Wendy's is one of the few fast-food chains that serve baked potatoes, or taters, as a side dish. The chain sells approximately 1 million baked potatoes per week, making it a significant revenue stream for the company. Wendy's offers several baked potato options, including plain, sour cream and chive, cheese, bacon cheese, and chilli cheese. The basic baked potato at Wendy's, without toppings, contains 270 calories and is a good source of fibre, potassium, iron and protein.

Toppings and customisation options

Wendy's baked potatoes are highly customisable, with a range of toppings and add-ons available. The "basic" baked potato is fat-free and contains 270 calories.

The Wendy's US menu offers five baked potato options:

• Sour cream and chive
• Cheese
• Bacon cheese
• Chili & cheese
• Plain

However, customers can also request any fry or burger topping to create their own unique combinations. This means toppings such as pickled jalapeños, crispy fried onions, beer cheese sauce, muenster, and broccoli and cheese are all possible.

In the UK, Wendy's offers a jacket potato with cheese sauce and shredded cheese.

In Canada, the options are more limited, with no chilli or plain cheese offerings. However, customers can try poutine, made with skin-on fries, melty cheese curds, and gravy.

In Puerto Rico, Wendy's offers a unique twist on the baked potato, serving it with diced ham and ranch dressing.

Health benefits

Wendy's baked potatoes are a healthier alternative to the usual fast-food options. The plain baked potato has 270 calories, no fat, and is an excellent source of fiber, potassium, iron, and protein. Even with toppings such as cheese and bacon bits, the calorie count only goes up to 480, which is not much more than the 420 calories in a medium order of fries.

The baked potato was introduced in 1983 as a "healthy option" alongside hamburgers, and it has endured as a nutritious choice, packed with fiber and minerals. It is also customizable, allowing customers to add various toppings, including broccoli, cheese, and sour cream, making it a more filling and satisfying meal.

The baked potato is a good deal in terms of price and portion size, offering nearly twice as much food by weight as an order of fries for a similar calorie count and price. It is a self-contained meal that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with other items on the menu, providing a balanced and nutritious option for health-conscious customers.

In addition to the health benefits, Wendy's baked potatoes are also a unique offering in the fast-food industry. They require a longer cooking time of about an hour, which sets them apart from the typical fried options. This commitment to providing a healthier alternative makes Wendy's stand out among its competitors.

Baking process

The first step in the baking process is to preheat your oven to a high temperature—around 400°F to 450°F. While the oven is heating up, prepare your potatoes. Russet potatoes are a good variety to use as their skin puffs up and becomes crisp in the oven, and their insides are starchy, making for an extra fluffy and sweet filling.

Scrub the potatoes well and pat them dry with a kitchen towel. Then, poke holes in the potatoes with a fork to create small holes across their surfaces—this will prevent the potatoes from exploding in the oven.

Next, season the potatoes. Place them on a baking sheet and rub them with olive oil. Sprinkle them liberally with salt—coarse kosher salt will add a bit of crunch to the potato skins. You can also add black pepper to taste.

Place the potatoes in the oven and bake for 45 to 60 minutes, until the skins are crisp and puffy, and the potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork. Use oven mitts to remove the hot baking sheet from the oven.

Allow the potatoes to cool for a few minutes before slicing them open. Fluff up the insides with a fork and add your desired toppings. Some classic baked potato toppings include butter, sour cream, chives, and bacon.

It is important to note that wrapping the potatoes in foil is not recommended as it will result in wet skin. The key to achieving crispy skin is to leave the potatoes unwrapped.

Additionally, the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the potatoes. Larger potatoes will take longer to bake, while smaller ones will be done in a shorter amount of time.

International availability

Wendy's baked potatoes are available in several countries outside of the United States. In Canada, the chain offers fewer baked potato options than in the US, excluding the chili and plain cheese toppings. However, customers can enjoy poutine, which is made with skin-on fries, melty cheese curds, and gravy.

In Puerto Rico, Wendy's offers a unique twist on the baked potato, serving it with diced ham and ranch dressing. Additionally, the chain offers baked potatoes in Chile, Guatemala, Argentina, and the Bahamas, with the same flavour options as those available in the United States.

In the United Kingdom, Wendy's serves a jacket potato with chilli and cheese sauce. The chilli includes ingredients such as ground beef, kidney beans, and vegetables, while the cheese sauce contains cheddar cheese, butter, milk solids, and other flavour enhancers.

History

Wendy's, a fast-food chain, has been serving baked potatoes since 1983. The chain offers a variety of toppings for its baked potatoes, including sour cream and chive, cheese, bacon cheese, and chili cheese. The baked potatoes are a popular menu item, with Wendy's selling approximately 1 million baked potatoes every week.

The introduction of baked potatoes to the menu was part of a "reduced-calorie" or "healthy" menu in the 1980s, during a time when low-fat diets were in vogue. The baked potato, being a fat-free food, fit well with the health trends of that time. Even today, the baked potato is considered a nutritious option, with the plain version containing 270 calories, 7 grams each of protein and fiber, and minimal fat.

The baked potatoes at Wendy's are prepared in a unique way, wrapped in foil and baked in a convection oven for about an hour, just like one would prepare them at home. This preparation method sets Wendy's apart from other fast-food chains, as it requires significant planning and equipment that is not typically found in fast-food restaurants.

Over the years, Wendy's has experimented with different flavors of baked potatoes, including an Italian version with sausage, meaty tomato sauce, and mozzarella, and a Mexican version with taco meat, picante sauce, cheese sauce, and sour cream. They have also offered a baked sweet potato at some locations.

In terms of customization, Wendy's allows customers to add any fry or burger topping to their baked potatoes, making them even more appealing to those who want to create their own unique combinations.

Frequently asked questions