Wendy’s is stepping further into your kitchen.
Following its rollout of fresh burger patties in select grocery stores, the fast food giant is now testing a new product aimed at home cooks: Wendy’s Extra-Thick Cut Double-Smoked Bacon.
The restaurant-inspired bacon, recently spotted at a Kroger in Kentucky and possibly in Virginia, marks the next phase of Wendy’s move into the retail space. But it’s not being released in the same states as the burger patties (Ohio and Colorado), which has some fans scratching their heads.
While the packaging doesn’t confirm if it’s the same applewood-smoked bacon used in Wendy’s signature Baconator, it promises a “double-smoked” cut with “restaurant-inspired” flavor. Whether that means it’s sourced from the same supplier or simply carries the brand’s aesthetic remains unclear.
Fortunately, this bacon drop isn’t a one-off. Wendy’s has been steadily building its presence in supermarkets over the past two years. It began with canned chili, then fresh burger patties, and now premium bacon, which are all moves aimed at giving loyal fans the tools to build their own Wendy’s-style meals at home.
Why aren’t the products sold together yet? It could be a simple market test or a staggered rollout to gauge regional interest. Whatever the case, it’s clear Wendy’s is feeling out its grocery-store playbook one item at a time.
And if bacon, chili, and burger patties are just the beginning, we wouldn’t be surprised if frozen Frostys hit freezer aisles next.
For now, the message is simple: you might not need the drive-thru to get your Wendy’s fix anymore. Just check your local grocery aisle.