A simple phrase has guided Wendy’s menu offerings for a long time, “fresh, famous food.” For the quick service restaurant, that concept ensures that any new menu item not only fits into the brand’s identity but also gives its guests a flavorful, craveable experience. With the new Takis Fuego Chicken Sandwich, the multi-sensorial bite will have everyone running to get that first taste.
Recently, Wendy’s has leveraged creative partnerships into specialty menu items. From the SpongeBob collaboration to the Thin Mint Frosty, that pop culture infusion brought instant excitement. It was the perfect blend of familiar, fun, and innovative.
With the new Takis Fuego Chicken Sandwich, Wendy’s stepped into a slightly different scenario. The Takis fan base is extremely loyal. While Wendy’s might be the OG in the spicy chicken sandwich category, this new sandwich is more than fiery spice. It combines crunch and creaminess into a satisfying bite.
During a media call, John Li, VP of Culinary Innovation at Wendy’s, led the group through a discussion on the new Takis inspired menu items. Specifically, Li addressed the high expectations that both Wendy’s and Takis fans have from this partnership.
When the culinary team looked at developing this menu item, they knew that it had to capture the bold flavor and the signature crunch in every bite. They knew that Wendy's spicy chicken would be the foundation to allow those other flavors to shine.
At the same time, Wendy’s did not want this sandwich to be just Takis crumbles on top of chicken. Anyone can add a crunchy chip as a topping. The Takis Fuego Chicken Sandwich is layers of flavor that creates a unique eating experience.
Li explained the sandwich build. The Wendy’s spicy chicken is the foundation. Then the sandwich layers a Wendy’s exclusive chili lime sauce, inspired by Takis, a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, crushed Fuego Takis, and a creamy corn spread. When taken as complete bite, the flavor is stupendous.
The two standouts in this build are the chili lime sauce and the creamy corn spread. First, the chili lime sauce is another way to celebrate Takis’ flavor. It is subtle, but it is needed. That bright, zesty flavor is both cooling and spicy.
The creamy corn spread is a game changer for the quick service restaurant. While some people might see a slight connection to elote, the luscious mouthfeel with that inherent sweetness provides the balance to all the bold flavors.
Although Wendy’s could have taken the easy path of just putting some crushed Takis on a sandwich, that concept does not fit into the restaurant brand’s mindset of delivering “fresh famous food.” As Li said, “the famous food part means that you have to put more time and effort into the innovation and development work.”
Given that chicken sandwiches are the fastest growing food segment in the quick service restaurant market, Wendy’s appreciates that it needs to be thoughtful with each new menu item. Being first to the pass is not their goal.
Every menu item is released after much consideration. The brand listens to its guests, adapts, and delivers a product that will have them coming back time and again. Loyalty is earned through a dedication to quality.
With the new Wendy’s Takis Chicken Sandwich hitting restaurants on June 20, it is set to be a sure-fire hit. When layered flavors and texture combine for the perfect bite, people will be unable to resist it.
The Wendy’s Takis Chicken Sandwich is available as a stand alone order as well as part of a combo meal with Fuego Fries and a Sprite. Check with restaurants for availability and pricing.
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