Wendy's overtakes Burger King as No. 2 U.S. burger chain

CNN ^ | Monday, March 19, 2012 | James O'Toole

[MinorityRepublican]

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Wendy's is taking a bite out of Burger King in the fast food business.

Dave Thomas's restaurants became the No. 2-selling hamburger chain in the country last year, industry research firm Technomic said Monday, pushing Burger King back to the No. 3 spot. Burger King had been No. 2 spot since at least 1972, the earliest year for which Technomic has data.

Wendy's (WEN) U.S. sales totaled $8.5 billion last year, edging out Burger King and its $8.4 billion. Wendy's has roughly 5,900 locations in the U.S. compared with Burger King's 7,200.

McDonald's (MCD, Fortune 500), meanwhile, dwarfed both with over $34 billion in sales last year at its 14,098 U.S. locations. It's the largest restaurant chain in the country, followed by Subway, Starbucks (SBUX, Fortune 500), Wendy's and Burger King. (McDonald's phasing out tiny cages for pigs)

Five Guys Burgers and Fries ranked as the fastest-growing chain in the U.S. last year, Technomic said, followed by Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) and Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shop.

[twister881]

[Revolting cat!]

Sister Wendy, Art Critic.

[DarthVader]

In-N-Out Burger rocks!!

[hannibaal]

My favourite by far is five guys

[eyedigress]

I went to a burger king a few weeks ago for the first time in years. I’m impressed that they still exist.

[mylife]

I haven’t tried that new Wendys burger, but its pretty hard to beat the Whopper with cheese in a fast food joint.

[mylife]

MacDonald plain sucks

[max americana]

Have the best of both worlds..In N Out AND Chick Fil A’s within a 5 block radius in the middle of Hollywood. I get tired of both which is rare, got Fat Burger in between.

[mylife]

I remember her! LOL!

[headstamp 2]

I could understand this. Burger Kings have all closed in this area. Their burgers are mushy slop heated in a microwave.

[SamAdams76]

Well I always thought that Wendy's had the better of the fast-food hamburgers. I like the fact that they are square and thicker. Have not had the "In And Out" burger because they don't have them yet out our way. I have been to Las Vegas a few times and know there is a "In And Out" burger joint not far from West Tropicana Avenue (on Dean Martin Drive, I believe) but just never made it over there because there is so much to do on the proper strip.

However, it appears that at some point, I will eventually make it over there. In the meantime, I like cooking burgers at home on the grill that I purchase from my butcher shop. Really thick burgers that I top off with a thick slab of swiss cheese and a mess of hot peppers sautéed in olive oil and garlic. All inside of a potato bun. It is really a good burger and should I open up a burger joint that sells them, I imagine I would do quite well.

[rockinqsranch]

We agree.

[tsowellfan]

Burger Kings was always my favorite until they recently made changes in their ingredients and breads to make their food more healthy. Their Whoppers no longer taste the same.

Recently I went to order and the cashier asked me if I wanted to look at the new "healthy menu". I told her "if I wanted healthy I would have gone to Subway"

[newzjunkey]

Amen!

Fortunately they've expanded beyond CA to spots in NV, AZ and TX.

[huldah1776]

I was hooked on the flame broiled taste at Burger King, especially the chicken, but Wendy’s is now the best tasting hamburger because it IS hamburger. Try it and it’ll take you back to what real meat tastes like. Makes me think of when we went to McD’s when i was a kid. When we went once a year, maybe 2 years?

[mylife]

No Smashburger?

http://www.smashburger.com/

[PetroniusMaximus]

“Their burgers are mushy slop heated in a microwave.”

They used to be grilled. Remember those days?

[Seaplaner]

Yes, my FRiend, In-n-out is IT, and that's THAT.

[Randy Larsen]

I just love Wendy’s!

#2..double cheeseburger, fries and soft drink.

Randy’s in Hamburger Heaven!