Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Ranch Wrap offers the portability guests crave

At Wendy’s the mantra, fast food done right, is more than a slogan. It drives every menu item. From the test kitchen to the food that leaves the drive-thru window, the customer can appreciate that their order will reflect the ingredients, flavors, and eating experience that they want. With the new Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Ranch Wrap, the quick service restaurant brand offers guests the portability they want with the flavors they crave.

The idea of a wrap is not necessarily as common across some quick service restaurants. While a wrap is not a burrito, the burger or the sandwich is often featured on the menu. But, the wrap offers an ease of eating. Whether it is grabbing a bite in the car or standing in the kitchen while directing the after school quick change chaos, it can be that easier meal.

Looking at the Wendy’s menu, it did not have a wrap. While the Made to Crave menu has featured many big, hearty dishes, there can be a time and place for those offerings. Sometimes a quicker, lighter bite fits into that balanced eating lifestyle.

With the launch of the Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Ranch Wrap, the quick service restaurant responds to what consumers want, portability. During a recent media call, John Li, Vice President of Culinary Innovation said, “Our consumers are increasingly more on-the-go following the pandemic, and this wrap provides that portability that our customers are craving.”

Given that there has been a shift in dining and food trends, launching this new permanent menu item going into spring and summer is smart. From that road trip stop to the quick bite after a long day at the sports field, it fills a gap on the Wendy’s menu.

What are the flavors on the Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Wrap?

Grilled chicken and ranch are a favorite combination. While even Li admitted that Midwesterners could possibly put ranch on almost everything. Still, not all ranch flavors are the same.

Similar to many of the Wendy’s menu items, it took time to perfect that ranch. Emily Kessler, Manager of Culinary Innovation said, “Ranch is a favorite among our customers, so we searched far and wide to find that perfect balance between buttermilk and savory herbs to deliver the best ranch possible in the business.”

In some ways, ranch drives this menu offering. While many people are familiar with the Wendy’s grilled chicken, it is the slightly tangy, herb forward ranch that makes people order this menu item again and again.

As Li described the wrap’s build, “We kept the build of this simple. First, we have our grilled chicken which is unique to us, our buttermilk ranch dressing which we designed to strike the perfect balance of garlic and herbs, fresh romaine lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese for that umami kick – all for under 500 calories.”

Although not necessarily a focus on the menu launch, the calorie conscious offering is smart. Going into the warmer months, some consumers are looking to keep their food choices light. By offering big flavor yet not being heavy, it can entice some people to make a diversion to place that order.

The new Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Ranch Wrap arrives in restaurants on March 28. It will be a permanent menu addition.