Wendy’s Debuts Its Strawberry Frosty for the Summer

Wendy’s recently announced the addition of a Strawberry Frosty to its menu, available across the US for a limited time only. The fast-food chain said a strawberry version of the beloved dessert has been its most-requested flavor from fans. However, the entrance of the Strawberry Frosty comes at a cost.

Hey. pic.twitter.com/fW8RyRzuxb

— Wendy’s (@Wendys) June 6, 2022

The Frosty machines at Wendy’s locations are set up to handle only two flavors, the familiar chocolate and vanilla. To bring the Strawberry Frosty on the menu for the summer, one flavor had to go. So, the Vanilla Frosty is temporarily going by the wayside. The choice was made in part because the Vanilla Frosty forms the base of the new Strawberry Frosty.

“We’re always listening to our fans and as the most-requested item, it was a no-brainer for us to bring the Strawberry Frosty to the menu this season,” said Carl Loredo, chief marketing officer for The Wendy’s Company, in a press release. “While some of our competitors are still trying to get their ice cream machines to work, fans can dip into this new strawberry treat all summer long at Wendy’s.”

Related: Does Your Wendy’s Burger Need to Be Made in a Wendy’s? The Fast-Food Chain Doesn’t Think So

The Strawberry Frosty will be available through July 3. The new flavor launch comes alongside the return of Wendy’s Summer Strawberry Chicken Salad for the third summer in a row. The popular summer salad features strawberries, bacon, grilled chicken, a lettuce and spring mix with an Italian cheese blend, candied almonds and a Champagne vinaigrette.

Both the Strawberry Frosty and the Summer Strawberry Chicken Salad are available to order now in restaurants or through the Wendy’s app. The fast-food chain said if customers order the Summer Strawberry Chicken Salad in the app, they can earn a free small order of fries. Wendy’s also noted ordering through the app will net points toward a free Strawberry Frosty.

The introduction of a new flavor to the chain’s signature dessert is a rarity. The classic chocolate flavor made its debut on Wendy’s menu in 1969. In 2006, the franchise bowed for the first time to customer pleas for a new flavor and added vanilla. Over a decade later, in 2019, it temporarily included a Birthday Cake Frosty Cookie Sundae on its menu to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Fast-food chains are constantly competing for customers’ dollars and attention, and limited-edition offerings are a way to attract new customers and maintain existing ones. For example, McDonald’s regularly refreshes its menu with new options, including a recently added Chocolatey Pretzel McFlurry.

Like other chains, Wendy’s has been hit hard by higher commodity and labor costs, with its margins declining as a result. In the first quarter, global sales at Wendy’s restaurants open at least 15 months grew 2.4 percent. By comparison, McDonald’s sales at global restaurants open at least 13 months jumped 11.8 percent, while Burger King’s sales at locations open at least a year grew 10.3 percent.

Wendy’s is hoping to recoup some of its losses with the Strawberry Frosty, which will be $0.99 for a size small but will also come in different sizes with varying prices.