Eat and Play The Wendy’s Way

If there’s one phrase that describes parenthood for me – and I’ll be honest, with every new milestone my child achieves brings both joy and challenges (“Please don’t feed the dog your food”) – I think it would be “It’s a Balancing Act.” As a parent, I’m learning we walk a tight rope, trying to make sure our kids are getting the proper nutrition for their development, but also happy (and sometimes, we all just need some fries and a Frosty to be happy). Similarly, us parents want to keep kids entertained but also educated, and help them learn to make responsible choices along the way while still enjoying what it means to be a kid. Being a kid is a fleeting experience, and there will always be good days and bad, but my motto is to live in the now and enjoy the journey. Thus far as a parent I have learned there’s no “right” way to do things, and to appreciate every moment with your child as motivation to keep doing your best. 

At the end of the day, it’s going to be OK if my kid doesn’t have a rainbow of color for dinner, or lunch for that matter; sometimes just getting kids to eat is the end goal (Parent On!). That might mean swinging through the drive-thru on the way to practice or recitals for the family meal. As the Associate Brand Manager of the Kids’ Meal category I take pride knowing that when families visit Wendy’s, they have a variety of options on the Kid’s Meal menu that make finding the balance in all of this just a little easier. Why? Simply because Wendy’s does not cut corners and we’ve evolved over the years to satisfy both parents and our most demanding customers: kids. If you’ve been around a toddler, you know the phrase - Back Seat Driver.

It All Comes Back to Quality

For instance, did you know that Wendy’s offers a fresh fruit option with every Kids’ Meal? We’re proud to use items like hand-cut strawberries and plump, fresh premium blueberries while they’re in season, in addition to our everyday crisp cut apples. These are unique side items you just don’t find on many other kid’s menus. Adding these menu items to the menu took a collaborative effort from our Operations, R&D, Finance, and QSCC partners. That said, as a team we know that French Fries will most likely continue to be the number one choice in Kids’ Meals, and that’s ok. We also know that when paired with chocolate milk or premium all-white meat chicken tenders, kids are getting important vitamins and protein to help them stay energized. And if I’m honest, our delicious French Fries are a crowd pleaser in my own house. As a parent, it feels good knowing that when I do bring home Wendy’s for dinner, I have the option to provide fresh fruit for my son…and myself for that matter.

Creative Play That Gets the Family Involved

Another way you’ll find that balance at Wendy’s is through the Creative Play Kids’ Meal offerings. These toys let kids play outside the happy meal box, with activities that foster creativity and can entertain for hours. I don’t know about you, but too often I find kids tire of toys after a few plays, so we teamed up with Strottman to create toys and activities that are rooted in key stages of early childhood development that can be enjoyed for hours. Our goal is for kids to explore their inner creativity through problem solving, storytelling and critical thinking. We focus on experiences, that for example let kids flex their creativity by building sea creatures or creating their own galaxies, that allow the whole family to get in on the fun.

Wendy’s has always been a win-win for the entire family, with our fun and engaging Kids’ Meal toys and delicious food for all. So, if you’re still not sure what to do for dinner, get yourself to your nearest Wendy’s - we hope you and your kids leave happy, filled and ready to come visit us again.

* Fresh beef available in the contiguous U.S., Alaska and Canada.