Wendy's: issues a last-minute warning in the U.S. and KFC won't like it at all

Summer has arrived with several new developments at fast food chains in the United States. The chains are not only trying to launch new menus, they also want to take advantage of nostalgia and collectibles to attract customers. Several brands have already chosen to launch products that bring back the charm of the past and combine food with fun.

Wendy’s has surprised customers with the launch of a new kids’ menu that includes collectible Mr. Potato Head figures, a classic toy that is being renewed in this collaboration with Hasbro. This move could unsettle its main rival, KFC, which usually opts for more traditional promotions without such eye-catching collectibles.

The power of nostalgia and collectible toys returns to Wendy's

The chain has taken a step forward with its new “Potato Head Kids’ Meal,” a kids’ menu that comes with a surprise of 12 unique Mr. Potato Head figures. Each figure represents the character in different costumes, from a mermaid to a cowboy or even a Frosty, the chain’s iconic frozen drink. The characters are Spudbot and Cavepotato, Root Wizard and Tough Tater, Astrospud and A-lee-yam, Mertato and Piroot, Cowtater and Chef Spud, and Wendy and Frosty.

The idea of Wendy's is to offer six pairs of these collectible figures, which children will be able to trade and combine, since they are “mix-and-match” type, reveals All Recipes. Each menu includes an entrée, hamburger, cheeseburger, or nuggets, accompanied by French fries or apple slices, a drink, and one of these figures. The promotion replaces the DC-themed kids’ menu and will be available for a limited time.

An Instagram user commented: “I feel like ordering a kids’ menu just to see which one I get.” Another added: “They’re adorable.” This enthusiasm shows how nostalgia and the charm of collectible figures are winning over a much broader audience than originally intended.

A direct blow to KFC and all the competition in the United States

The new development comes right after the success of the “Takis Fuego Meal,” another menu that combined spicy flavors and trends with the popularity of Takis snacks. Now, with the addition of Mr. Potato Head figures, the chain aims not only to increase its sales, but also to create an emotional bond with its customers.

In addition, Wendy’s is also offering a special deal: if you order a premium combo through its app or website, you get a free kids’ menu with the included figures. This adds an extra incentive for those seeking a complete and more affordable experience.

This strategy is not new, but its effectiveness has been proven. Last year, with the launch of “Frosty Frights” for Halloween, many adults wanted to buy the figures in large quantities. This increased demand and caused a similar collecting phenomenon.

With these actions, Wendy’s positions itself as an innovative chain that knows how to combine products with emotions and nostalgia. In contrast, KFC will have to rethink its campaigns in order not to lose ground in a very competitive market.