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Wendy's
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Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
There is some ground-breaking, earth-shattering, revolutionary intelligence coming from a reliable source on the northeast end of Burlington. Are you ready for this. . . ? Drum roll. . . . Trumpets blaring. . . .
Wendy's is now serving Vanilla Frosties. Yes! You heard that right! After 25 years of Chocolate Only, Wendy's got the Exact Right Formula for creating the eagerly-awaited Vanilla Frosty. The Frosty, of course, being Wendy's signature treat. . . made from cool, creamy ice milk (the better to keep that youthful waistline) and your choice of Butterfinger, M&M or Oreo crumbles. Authorities confirm the fact that it's better eaten with a spoon, as it's too thick to even think of consuming it straw-wise. So, tell your taste buds that Vanilla has come to town. (Consider the irony in Vanilla coming to Chocolate City.)
Wendy's Burlington Manager Jennifer Frederick and District Manager, Nicole Schmidt, (who's a Burlington native, incidentally) recently set aside time in their busy day to talk with me about Wendy's updated menu, their community service and their success at both. We were surprised mid-conversation by a visit from Greg Castillo, Director of Operations for the Southeast Wisconsin area Wendy's franchise. It's immediately obvious that these people are dedicated to their customers - not only their external customers (those of us who like to eat good food), but their internal customers, as well. They truly value their employees. They are always looking for dedicated employees - and have a lot to offer in return. For example, the Wendy's organization has instituted a mentoring program for employees who show aptitude for advancing to management positions. They also offer $150 book fee to employees who attend college. "Our goal," Greg pointed out, "is to give back to the community."
It's immediately apparent, upon entering the building, that Wendy's is community-minded. They have a wall, which they call, (what else?) The Wall on which hang multiple photos depicting Burlington's history. One especially intriguing picture features the Plaza Theatre, in front of which is a long line awaiting the box office opening. Jennifer and Nicole noted that Burlington residents love to visit The Wall looking for people they know in these photos.
Wendy's currently employs around 30 local people. But, special mention must go to Lorraine. Lorraine Belschner ". . . knows EVERYONE!" Jennifer and Nicole say in unison. "And," they add, "she does EVERYTHING." You can see Loraine greeting customers, cleaning tables, tidying up the dining room, pouring coffee. . . even cleaning up the parking lot. And, it's Lorraine who's responsible for the outstanding seasonal decorating you'll see in every available Wendy's window. Next time you're at Wendy's, say hello to Lorraine. She knows everyone!!
So, now that we've had dessert first, let's take a look at Wendy's other offerings. If you haven't recently perused a Wendy's menu, then definitely stop by and take a look. There's a lot of innovation going on these days at Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers. . . and, it's a lot more exciting than just old fashioned hamburgers. Take the Frescata f'rinstance. Say fres (as in fresh) and cah-tah as in ta-dah: Frescata! It's a deli-style sandwich served on hearty artisan bread. You know the stuff: crunchy-chewy crust, creamy center. . . tasty! Choose the Club, the Ham & Swiss or the soon-to-be-released Italian, described to me as ham, salami, red peppers with rosemary vinaigrette. Whoa! Definitely not old fashioned.
And, speaking of fresh. . . It seems fresh has become the Wendy's mantra. They make their burgers as they're ordered. . . and always from fresh ground beef. (No heat lamps for these sandwiches No siree!) This makes it much easier on those poor, tired taste buds, don't you think?
And, since I'm a salad fan - and soggy lettuce is on my list of yuks - I was especially happy to hear that the salads are made fresh several times a day. Nothing is pre-prepared, if I may be so bold as to make up a new word. And, never lackadaisical when it comes to imagination, Wendy's offers a plethora of salads. Hard to resist that Mandarin Chicken with its spring mix of lettuce, mandarin orange wedges and chunks of grilled chicken breast. And, who doesn't love a BLT? This one, of course, is sans bread with its lettuce varieties mixed with cheddar cheese, grape tomatoes, bacon. . . and chicken, too. Got tacos in mind? There's a yummy Southwest Taco Salad that includes Wendy's famous chili. Chili on a salad? Why not? Works for me.
What really makes Wendy's stand out, though, is its dedication to the family. Kids can (and should) eat healthy fare, too! Order a kids' meal and you get choices. . . sides include the old stand-by fries, of course, but also mandarin oranges, baked potato and even yogurt with granola. There's something else Wendy's is doing that makes it Family Friendly: prices. Dollars. Savings. Moola. They realize that families can't always afford to treat themselves to a meal out, so they do their very best to serve really good food at a really reasonable price. (Like the 99 cent Value Meal. Try it. It won't break your wallet.)
So, finally - after sampling one -- I got to the real nitty gritty about why 25 years went by before Wendy's offered the Frosty in a Vanilla flavor. I mean, we're talking truth here. I finally got it out of them: Dave Thomas (bless his soul) Wendy's original owner, liked Chocolate and not Vanilla. That's it. The secret is out.
You'll find Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers Restaurant (now that's a mouthful!) on Hwy 36, just north of Burlington. When you order that Frosty, be sure to specify which flavor! And, tell your friends that Vanilla's come to Chocolate City!!
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