Independent US menu guide
Updated September 15, 2026
Wendy’s Facts: Founder, Name & Square Burgers September 2026
The questions I get most: who owns Wendy’s, when it started, where headquarters is, how it got the name, and why the burgers are square.
A Dave’s Single. Square beef was Dave Thomas’s calling card from the start.
Dave Thomas opened the first restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, in 1969 and named it after his daughter Melinda Lou “Wendy” Thomas. Square patties were his “we don’t cut corners” joke that stuck.
Dave Thomas founded Wendy’s in Columbus, Ohio, in 1969 and named the restaurant after his daughter Melinda Lou “Wendy” Thomas. Square burger patties were a fresh-never-frozen calling card: “we don’t cut corners.”
What this page covers
- This guide covers Wendy’s Facts: Founder, Name & Square Burgers September 2026 as it usually runs at US restaurants.
- Confirm availability and allergens in the Wendy’s app before you order.
- Compare allergens and typical deals before you order.
Quick facts
Names, typical prices, and serving times in one place.
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Wendy’s | The restaurant brand (The Wendy’s Company). We are not that company. |
| This site | Wendy-Menus, an independent US menu guide |
| What you'll find | Who owns Wendy’s and brand facts |
| On the board | Dave Thomas, 1969, Columbus/Dublin Ohio, square burgers, brand name Wendy |
What’s on this menu
Price, calories, and timing
The numbers first, so you can decide before you reach the speaker.
- Hours vary by restaurant. Check the Wendy’s locator or app.
- There is no national price. Open the Wendy’s app with your restaurant selected.
- Listed calories are for a typical US build. Your bag can land a little higher or lower.
What to order with it
A named combo bundles fries and a drink. Pick sides on their own when you want to keep the calories or the total down.
- Natural-cut fries or chili
- A small Frosty or fountain drink
- Upgrade to a combo only if you want the bundled drink/fries
Allergens, fryers, and cross-contact
A clean ingredient list is not the whole story, because most stores fry several foods in the same oil. Here is what this item usually contains.
- Recipes vary by restaurant. Read our allergen guide and Wendy’s official nutrition PDF before you order.
How to order it at the speaker
Most kitchens will hold mayo, add bacon, or put chili on fries when the ingredient is already on the line. Expect a small upcharge, and skip invented secret-menu names.
- Say the item name first, then the change (“no mayo,” “extra pickle”).
- Delivery menus can be shorter and cost more than the dining room.
- Before about 10:30 a.m., many lunch sandwiches are not on the board yet.
Common questions
Who writes Wendy-Menus
Publisher: Wendy-Menus editorial (about us). We research the public Wendy’s menu and we are not The Wendy’s Company. Pages start from our archived menu listings and photos. Last reviewed September 15, 2026.
Limits: we do not run restaurants, take payment, or set a franchise’s price, toy, or limited-time item. If this page disagrees with the board at your store, the store is right. Send a correction.