| Wendy's, Arby's outline new product plans
By Molly
Gise
 | | Wendy's new Coffee Toffee Twisted Frosty |
ATLANTA
(May
6,
2009)
Wendy's/Arby's Group Inc. executives on Thursday outlined several upcoming new products, including coffee-flavored Frosties and boneless wings and other chicken products at Wendy's, and more Roastburger varieties and value offerings at Arby's. The new products are designed to drive sales at both brands, Roland Smith, Wendy's/Arby's president and chief executive, said in a conference call with investors. The company on Thursday reported first-quarter results, which included a systemwide same-store sales increase of 1 percent at Wendy's North American stores and a decline of 8.7 percent at Arby's North American stores.
This month, Wendy's will add to its Frosty line with a Frosty-cino Shake, which is made with a vanilla Frosty base and coffee syrup and comes topped with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle. The chain also is adding a Coffee Toffee Twisted Frosty, which is a vanilla Frosty blended with coffee syrup and chocolate-covered toffee bits. Both treats can be made with Wendy's chocolate Frosty base by request, a spokesman said.
In the product pipeline at Wendy's this summer are additional premium chicken menu items, including boneless wings, which Smith said have been well received in test markets.
"At Wendy's, we are just beginning to re-establish leadership in new product innovation," Smith said.
In the fall, the chain will introduce a new signature hamburger, which Smith said would "enhance Wendy's reputation for serving the best hamburger in the QSR business."
Smith said Wendy's also is working to revamp its value menu with more items that range in price between 99 cents and $1.99. Some of the higher-ticket value items will come from Wendy's regular menu, he indicated
"We're looking at some of our items that we think we ought to reintroduce to the customer because they are great values and they are unique items, such as our baked potatoes and chili, which we don't need to sell for 99 cents because they are unique," he said.
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