Wendy’s chicken wraps were a popular menu item for years, but in recent times Wendy’s has streamlined its menu and removed some items. This has led many Wendy’s customers to wonder, does Wendy’s still have chicken wraps on the menu?
A Brief History of Wendy’s Chicken Wraps
Wendy’s first introduced chicken wraps to their menu in 2006. The original chicken wraps included a Santa Fe Chicken wrap, a Spicy Chicken Caesar wrap, and a Honey Mustard Chicken On The Go wrap. The wraps were made with sliced grilled or crispy chicken, lettuce, cheese and signature sauces or dressings all wrapped up in a soft flour tortilla.
The chicken wraps were designed to appeal to more health-conscious consumers who wanted lighter menu options at the well-known fast food burger joint. They also gave customers a new way to enjoy Wendy’s chicken.
The wraps were fairly popular for many years. However, in 2017 Wendy’s decided to cut several items from their menu, including the chicken wraps, in an effort to simplify operations. At this time the chicken wraps disappeared from Wendy’s locations across the country.
The Removal of Chicken Wraps from the Menu
When Wendy’s removed chicken wraps from the menu in 2017, they stated it was part of a larger strategy to streamline their menu and focus on core menu items. The company said eliminating slower-selling items allowed employees to deliver food more quickly and accurately.
Wendy’s also said the move was designed to reduce operational complexity in the restaurants. Making chicken wraps took more time and labor compared to Wendy’s burgers and nuggets. So removing them allowed kitchen staff to focus on speed and efficiency for core menu items.
In addition to chicken wraps, Wendy’s also cut several other items in 2017 including baked potatoes, chocolate frostys in favor of vanilla, and premium chicken sandwiches. The simplified menu led to higher restaurant margins and profits for the chain.
The Current Wendy’s Menu
Today, chicken wraps no longer appear on Wendy’s menus either in-store or online.
The current Wendy’s menu focuses heavily on their signature burgers, including the Baconator, Dave’s Single and more. Core sides like fries and baked potatoes are still available. Chicken offerings include nuggets, HOMESTYLE Chicken Sandwiches, and grilled chicken items like the S’Awesome Chicken Sandwich.
There are also several salads on the menu along with chili and baked potatoes. For breakfast Wendy’s serves up sandwiches, biscuits and sides. However, there are no longer any wrap options.
Are Chicken Wraps Ever Coming Back?
Wendy’s has not announced any plans to bring back chicken wraps at this time. Since removing wraps from the menu in 2017, Wendy’s has continued to promote their burgers as their core offering.
Menu innovation in recent years has focused on additions like breakfast, new premium burgers and shake flavors rather than brings back discontinued items. Customer surveys and sales data likely indicate the chicken wraps were not missed by the majority of customers.
Wrap-style menu items require more complex food prep compared to burgers and fries. Bringing back wraps could negatively impact the speed and efficiency goals Wendy’s had when they originally cut the menu item.
While Wendy’s has not ruled out ever bringing wraps back, there are no signs it is something they are actively considering. The menu simplification strategy from 2017 seems to be working well for them and they are focused on other areas of innovation.
A Few Possible Reasons Why Wraps May Not Return
Here are some potential reasons why Wendy’s has not brought chicken wraps back in the 6 years since removing them from the menu:
- Didn’t fit with Wendy’s core brand identity as a burger chain
- Slow sellers compared to burgers and chicken nuggets
- More complex to make than standard menu items, affecting speed of service
- Not enough customer demand or outcry for their return
- Supply chain and sourcing challenges with tortillas and unique ingredients
- Difficult to keep wraps fresh compared to burgers
- Want to maintain a simple, easy-to-manage menu
Customer Sentiment on Missing Wraps
Customer sentiment is mixed on Wendy’s no longer offering chicken wraps. Here are some of the commonly held opinions:
- Some customers are indifferent and say they visit Wendy’s for burgers and fries, not wraps
- Fans of the wraps are disappointed and wish they could still order their favorites
- Customers seeking healthier options want more low-carb, lighter menu choices like wraps
- Many suggest bringing back wraps as a seasonal or limited-time offer
- Some say they would visit Wendy’s more often if wraps were still available
- Others never cared for Wendy’s wraps and are fine without them
There is a Wendy’s feedback page where customers can submit suggestions or requests for menu changes. Several people have asked for the return of chicken wraps on the page, but it has not led to any changes so far.
Other Fast Food Places That Offer Wraps
While Wendy’s stepped away from wraps, other fast food chains still offer wrap options including:
| Restaurant | Wrap Options |
|---|---|
| McDonald’s | Southwest Grilled Chicken Wrap, Bacon, Egg & Cheese McWrap |
| Burger King | BK Veggie Wrap, Fresh3 Wrap |
| Chick-fil-A | Grilled Chicken Wrap, Grilled Cool Wrap |
| Arby’s | Market Fresh Wrap Sandwiches |
| Subway | Chicken & Bacon Ranch Melt Signature Wrap |
For fans of chicken wraps, these restaurants can still provide a similar experience to the former Wendy’s wraps. However, some argue Wendy’s wrap seasoning and ingredients gave their wraps a unique flavor profile not fully matched elsewhere.
How To Make Your Own Wendy’s Style Chicken Wrap
While you can no longer order a Wendy’s chicken wrap in-store, you can recreate a similar wrap at home with a little effort. Here is a simple recipe to make a wrap in the style of a Wendy’s Santa Fe chicken wrap:
Ingredients:
- 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 tablespoon Southwest seasoning blend
- 1 flour tortilla
- 1-2 tablespoons Santa Fe dressing or sauce
- Shredded lettuce
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Directions:
- Season chicken breast with Southwest seasoning blend then grill or pan fry until cooked through.
- Warm the tortilla in the microwave for 20 seconds.
- Slice or shred the chicken into pieces then place down the center of the tortilla.
- Drizzle Santa Fe sauce over the chicken.
- Top with shredded lettuce and cheddar cheese.
- Wrap the tortilla around the fillings.
- Slice in half or quarters to serve.
You can also try substituting grilled chicken for crispy chicken or using different sauce flavors like ranch, honey mustard or chipotle mayo. While not exactly the same, a homemade wrap can satisfy that old Wendy’s craving.
Will Wendy’s Ever Reconsider Wraps?
It seems unlikely that Wendy’s has plans to bring back wraps to their menu anytime soon. Chicken wraps simply may not align with their current business strategy and brand identity.
However, customer interest hasn’t completely vanished. Wendy’s may want to consider limited-time wrap promotional launches to gauge demand and see if wraps could work as a periodic menu item today.
Competing chains like McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A show wraps can still succeed as part of a fast food menu. Wendy’s could survey patrons and analyze sales data of competitors to determine if wrap revival makes sense. But for now, those craving Wendy’s wraps will have to settle for homemade versions.
The Bottom Line
Wendy’s removed chicken wraps from their menu back in 2017 as part of a menu streamlining strategy. The wraps have not returned since.
Loyal chicken wrap fans still pine for their return, but Wendy’s current focus is on core burger offerings. There are no signs chicken wraps will return nationwide anytime soon.
Visitors who want a similar wrap experience can visit other chains like McDonald’s or make their own Wendy’s inspired wrap at home. But for now, Wendy’s classic chicken wraps appear relegated to fond food memories.