Save big with Wendy’s deals, menu specials and coupons

Popular fast-food chain Wendy’s is known for its pigtailed mascot, square burgers and lots of savings.

Hungry bargain hunters know they can regularly find delicious Wendy’s deals at the hamburger chain. Even better, Wendy’s is known for occasionally giving away FREE food, especially when promoting a new or limited-time menu item. (Who doesn’t love free food?) 

Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas opened the first Wendy’s in 1969, naming the restaurant for his daughter. The Wendy’s girl logo, with her pigtails and red hair, is actually based on the real Wendy Thomas. 

Wendy’s offers lots of delicious and unique menu items, and is known for its made-to-order square burgers, the Baconator (two beef patties with cheese and lots of bacon), fresh salads and iconic frozen dairy dessert, the Frosty.

Fun Fact: The burgers are square because Dave wanted the juicy burgers to be seen from all sides.

At more than 6,800 locations worldwide, customers should look for Wendy’s value menu, coupons and other deals or discounts in order to save big on their drive-thru or dine-in order.

Thanks to Wendy’s loyalty program, customers can eat their way “on the cheap” to more complimentary food and exclusive discounts. Here’s the inside scoop on all the Wendy’s specials available to you.

Wendy’s Current Deals

• Loyalty earns free food and perks with Wendy’s Rewards
• Wendy’s offers big savings with $5 Biggie Bag
• Wendy’s 4 For $4 Meal Deal includes sandwich, nuggets, fries & drink
• Food delivery deals for national restaurant chains

How to Save Money at Wendy’s

Limited-Time Specials

One of the easiest ways to save money at Wendy’s is with its limited-time specials, which they offer on a regular basis. Customers can usually find a promo at checkout. Look for a promo sign or ask an employee. Wendy’s popular specials include:

Twofer: The most common offer at the fast-food restaurant is a twofer promo. The offer requires the purchase of two specific menu items at a special price. The value is always really big – usually up to 50% off the regular price. However, you must purchase the two items for the savings. Otherwise, pay full price for just one.

4 For $4 Meal Deal: One of the best Wendy’s values is the ongoing and popular $4 meal deal. For just four bucks, get a sandwich, four nuggets, small fries and value fountain drink. The sandwich options change every so often, but usually include a Jr. Cheeseburger. 

$5 Biggie Bag: Customers can bag big savings with the chain’s on-and-off again $5 Biggie Bag. The savings are usually around 50% off. The sandwich options change every so often, but usually include a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger, Double Stack or Crispy Chicken. 

Open the bag and find the featured sandwich, four nuggets, small fries and small fountain drink. It’s similar to the $4 meal deal, but the sandwich is a premium menu item and, therefore, slightly higher in price and includes more ingredients/toppings. 

In some cases, there is a $6 Biggie Bag available with an even more premium sandwich. 

Frosty Key Tag: Every year, usually from mid-November to late January of the following year, Wendy’s sells its popular Frosty Key Tag for $3. The key tag is the entry into lots of sweet savings for the following year.

Flash the key tag at checkout and enjoy a FREE Jr. Frosty with any purchase. The tag pays for itself in just a few visits. And, even cooler, some of the proceeds go to the Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption.

Free Food: Wendy’s is known for giving away FREE food several times a year, especially as part of the launch of a new or limited-time menu item or special partnership/promo. In the past, they have given away breakfast sandwiches, burgers and nuggets. 

Sometimes the offers are totally free with no purchase required. Other times, the freebie is available with any purchase. In any case, it’s always a great deal for anyone looking for a free lunch.

Plus, the free food giveaways are usually only available digitally via the Wendy’s site or app. 

Wendy’s Coupons

In some markets, you can still find Wendy’s coupons in the newspaper or mail every few months. The coupons often focus on the chain’s new or limited-time menu offerings.

However, the best place to find coupons is on the Wendy’s app. You must register an account before adding an offer to your order. The offers regularly include savings on a minimum purchase, $1 menu items and buy-one-get-one FREE deals.

As always, the offers change periodically, so you have to keep checking back for the latest discounts.

Wendy’s Rewards

The chain launched its first-ever rewards program in the summer of 2020 – Wendy’s Rewards.

Members earn 10 points for every dollar spent, with rewards beginning at just 200 points. Rewards include everything from a small Frosty at 150 points to the big Baconator or full-size salad at 800 points.

To get your points, you must always scan your QR code at checkout before ordering. However, if you forget, Wendy’s has your back. Keep your receipt and submit it here within 24 hours for credit to your account.

The only way to fully benefit from Wendy’s loyalty program is to always get the points, no matter the size of the order. Every point matters. 

Wendy’s App

Of course, Wendy’s has an app and it’s tied to the chain’s loyalty program, especially important for accessing digital offers. It’s the only way to add discounts to your order.

It’s also the best place to track and easily redeem any earned rewards.

However, in addition, customers can also place a mobile order on the Wendy’s app. There is also an option for delivery on the app, but it’s through a third-party service.

Wendy’s Delivery

Wendy’s does not offer any in-house delivery service. You can still have your Baconator, fries and Frosty delivered right to your front door through a third-party delivery service – DoorDash, Grubhub, Postmates and Uber Eats. As a result, expect to pay additional fees for Wendy’s delivery. 

Wendy’s Menu and Prices

Wendy’s menu is varied, offering options from healthy salads to bacon-heavy burgers and frozen treats, with something for every budget.

Wendy’s menu prices also cover a range from the discounted Wendy’s meal deals to the premium sandwiches and salads on the more expensive side. (Some of Wendy’s premium burgers can cost around $8.)

Wendy’s bucks the trend at fast-food restaurants by offering healthier options, namely its line-up of fresh salads – each made with premium ingredients.

Featuring premium ingredients, the salads will cost you a little more “green” – usually around $9 each. Look for its seasonal salads for some healthy variety.

Wendy’s is one of the few fast-food chains known for adding some spice to its menu. They regularly offer special items with an added kick, including the addition of spicy sauces/condiments, jalapenos and more.

The spicy version of Wendy’s chicken nuggets keep returning to the menu because of consumer demand. They are also the only major fast-food chain that offers chili. Heat up Wendy’s chili even more with a packet of signature hot sauce.

Wendy’s desserts include an oatmeal bar, cookies and the popular frozen dairy dessert, the Frosty. The treat, a mixture between a shake and soft-serve ice cream, comes in four sizes and three flavors (chocolate, vanilla or mixed). They have recently introduced seasonal Frosty flavors, including pumpkin spice and peppermint — usually available during the holidays. 

The junior size is perfect for topping off your meal with a little sweetness, especially good for those watching their calories. And, if you’re looking for a sweet-and-salty snack, dip your Wendy’s fries in the creamy concoction for a special treat. 

Wendy’s Secret Menu

Does Wendy’s have a secret menu? Not necessarily, but you can add bacon to any menu item for an extra bite of saltiness. (There are even tales of adventurous customers ordering a side of bacon along with their Frosty for the ultimate sweet-and-salty treat.) However, one secret menu item is popular among many insiders – the Barnyard Burger. The secret sandwich is made by adding bacon and a spicy chicken patty to your burger. 

Wendy’s Breakfast Menu

Wendy’s launched its first-ever breakfast menu in March 2020. The chain now opens early and serves breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Hours may vary by location. Plus, not all locations may serve breakfast. 

Breakfast menu items include the Breakfast Baconator, breakfast sandwiches (made with biscuits, croissants and English muffins) and seasoned potatoes. Have we mentioned that Wendy’s loves its bacon?

Wendy’s Dollar Menu

The chain used to offer a Wendy’s dollar menu with a variety of sandwich and sides for just a buck each. Unfortunately, for now, the Wendy’s dollar menu is a thing of the past.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t dine on a budget at the chain. Look for savings with Wendy’s Biggie Bags and meal deals. 

Wendy’s Value Menu and Biggie Deals

Like most restaurant chains, Wendy’s offers customers big savings with more budget-friendly items on the menu.

Wendy’s value menu is called Biggie Deals. The menu features one of its more popular sandwiches, along with fries, nuggets and a drink, at a lower price — usually $5 or $6.

Plus, Wendy’s offers its 4 for $4 meal deal with a smaller sandwich, fries, nuggets and drink, all for four bucks. 

Wendy’s Kids’ Meal

Dining with kids can be costly. However, a Wendy’s Kids’ Meal offers lots of savings for frugal parents.

The meal combo costs around $6 and features a hamburger, cheeseburger or nuggets, along with fries or apple slices and a fountain drink, milk, bottled water or fruit punch. 

And, of course, the meal usually includes a toy or activity for kids

Occasionally, participating locations may offer a discounted Kids’ Meal after 4 p.m. Be on the lookout for the family-friendly special. 

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This deal is from Living on the Cheap, our sister site.