Wendy‘s may be a hamburger joint at heart, but its premium fish sandwich offerings have gained a loyal following over the years, especially during the Lenten season. If you‘re a fan of the chain‘s crispy, flaky fish fillets on a toasted bun, you‘re probably wondering: when can I get my hands on one in 2023? As a fast food industry expert and discerningly picky shopper, I‘ve put together the ultimate guide to Wendy‘s fish sandwiches, from this year‘s expected release dates to little-known menu hacks.
A Brief History of Fish at Wendy‘s
Wendy‘s hopped on the fast food fish sandwich bandwagon relatively early, introducing its first fried fish offering in 1979, just 10 years after the chain was founded. The original "Fish Sandwich" featured a square fish patty made from minced Alaskan Pollock on a bun with tartar sauce. It joined the Filet-O-Fish (which debuted at rival McDonald‘s in 1962) in a sea of otherwise burger-heavy fast food menus.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Wendy‘s made a few tweaks to its fish sandwich recipe, but continued to offer it as an intermittent seasonal item, usually coinciding with the Lenten period before Easter. It wasn‘t until the late 2000s that Wendy‘s began stepping up its fish game in earnest.
In 2009, Wendy‘s replaced its original fish patty with a new "Premium Cod Fillet," hand-cut from whole fillets of wild-caught North Pacific Cod. The revamped sandwich featured a lightly panko-breaded fillet, topped with lettuce and tartar sauce, and served on a toasted bun.
The Premium Cod Fillet Sandwich was a hit with customers and became Wendy‘s go-to fish offering for the next decade, still following a limited spring release schedule. Then in 2021, Wendy‘s made another major change, discontinuing the Premium Cod in favor of an all-new Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich.
Breaking Down Wendy‘s Current Fish Sandwich Lineup
As of 2023, Wendy‘s offers two fish sandwich varieties on a seasonal basis:
1. Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich
Introduced in 2021, the Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich features a wild-caught Alaskan Pollock fillet coated in a crunchy panko breading, topped with creamy dill tartar sauce, three dill pickle slices, crisp lettuce, and a slice of American cheese on a toasted bun.
Wendy‘s chose to make the switch from cod to pollock for its new recipe in the name of "delivering a higher quality product to consumers that‘s also a better value," said Carl Loredo, chief marketing officer for The Wendy‘s Company in a 2021 interview with SeafoodSource.
"We listened to our customers, and they want a crispier, crunchier fish sandwich, which we‘re delivering with our new Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich," Loredo explained. "The panko breading gives the sandwich a light, airy, and crispy texture that our customers are looking for."
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 520
- Fat: 25g (9g saturated)
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 1220mg
- Carbs: 56g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
2. Spicy Crispy Fish Sandwich
The Spicy version takes the same Alaskan Pollock fillet and panko breading base and kicks things up with spicy dill pickles, a slice of pepper jack cheese, lettuce, and creamy spicy sauce on a toasted spicy bun.
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 550
- Fat: 28g (10g saturated)
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sodium: 1350mg
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 21g
Both sandwiches can be ordered as a combo meal with a side of fries, apple bites, or a side salad and a drink. The Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich generally retails for $4.29 a la carte or as part of a $6 combo, though prices may vary by location.
When to Find Wendy‘s Fish Sandwiches in 2023
Wendy‘s fish sandwich offerings remain a seasonal, limited-time menu addition in 2023. Based on the chain‘s release schedule over the last decade, here‘s when you can most likely expect to see the Crispy Panko Fish Sandwiches swimming into restaurants this year:
- Projected 2023 release date: Monday, February 20 to coincide with the start of Lent on Wednesday, February 22
- Projected 2023 end date: Monday, April 10, shortly after Easter Sunday on April 9
This roughly 7-week window from late February through mid-April is when demand for fish sandwiches is highest, thanks to the Christian tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during the Lenten season.
However, it‘s important to note that these dates are estimates based on past years‘ promotions and are not confirmed by Wendy‘s. Some locations may start serving the sandwiches a few days earlier or later, and end dates can vary based on demand and supply.
If you don‘t want to risk missing out, I recommend calling your local Wendy‘s ahead of time to confirm if and when they‘ll be carrying the seasonal fish sandwiches. You can also check the Wendy‘s app or website for location-specific menu information.
It‘s also a good idea to get your fish fix early in the season, as the sandwiches have been known to sell out at some high-traffic locations, especially on Fridays. "We see a significant increase in demand for our fish sandwiches during Lent, particularly on Fridays," said a Wendy‘s representative. "We do our best to forecast and prepare, but there can be brief outages at individual restaurants."
Wendy‘s Fish Sandwich Sales and Popularity
So just how popular are Wendy‘s seasonal fish sandwiches? While the company doesn‘t share specific sales data, industry analysts say the sandwiches have been a reliable hit for the chain over the last decade.
"Wendy‘s has consistently seen a significant sales lift during the Lenten season, driven in large part by their fish sandwich offerings," said restaurant industry consultant Mark Brandau. "The limited-time nature of the promotion creates a sense of urgency and exclusivity that drives traffic."
In 2021, the launch of the new Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich was a particular success, with Wendy‘s citing the sandwich as a key factor behind its strong first-quarter sales. According to the company‘s Q1 2021 earnings report, same-restaurant sales jumped 13.5% in the quarter, and the Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich mixed approximately 5% of sales during its 7-week run.
The 2022 season also saw strong repeat business for the Crispy Panko sandwich. In a spring 2022 poll of 2,000 U.S. adults who eat fast food at least once a month, Wendy‘s Crispy Panko beat out McDonald‘s Filet-O-Fish as the top choice when asked "which chain makes the best fish sandwich?"
The Crispy Panko received 35% of the vote, compared to 24% for the Filet-O-Fish. Burger King‘s Big Fish and Arby‘s Crispy Fish came in third and fourth place with 17% and 14% of the vote, respectively.
How Wendy‘s Stacks Up to Other Fast Food Fish Sandwiches
Speaking of the competition, Wendy‘s is far from the only fast food chain angling for a piece of the fish sandwich market. Here‘s a quick comparison of how Wendy‘s Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich stacks up against some of its biggest rivals:
| Chain | Fish Sandwich | Protein | Calories | Fat | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wendy‘s | Crispy Panko Fish | Alaskan Pollock, 20g | 520 | 25g | 1220mg |
| McDonald‘s | Filet-O-Fish | Alaskan Pollock, 17g | 430 | 20g | 1000mg |
| Burger King | Big Fish | Alaskan Pollock, 16g | 510 | 28g | 990mg |
| Arby‘s | Crispy Fish | Alaskan Pollock, 14g | 570 | 25g | 990mg |
| Long John Silver‘s | Wild Alaska Pollock | Alaskan Pollock, 12g | 350 | 21g | 870mg |
| Popeyes | Cajun Flounder Sandwich | Pacific Flounder, 15g | 670 | 35g | 1590mg |
| White Castle | Panko Breaded Fish Slider | Alaska Pollock, 8g | 230 | 11g | 480mg |
As you can see, the Crispy Panko holds its own in terms of protein content, with a 20g fillet that‘s larger than most competitors. It falls in the middle of the pack calorie-wise, and is on the higher end for sodium, so be mindful if you‘re watching your intake.
In terms of taste and texture, I personally find the Crispy Panko to be a standout, with a satisfying crunch and balanced flavor profile. The dill tartar sauce and zesty pickle complement the mild fish nicely, and the panko breading is light and crispy in a way that traditional breadings can‘t quite match.
That said, taste is subjective, and die-hard fans of the classic Filet-O-Fish or more unique offerings like Popeye‘s Cajun Flounder may prefer to get their seafood fix elsewhere. My advice? Take advantage of Wendy‘s limited-time fish sandwich season to try it for yourself and see how it measures up to your favorites.
Tips for the Best Wendy‘s Fish Sandwich Experience
Want to make the most of your Wendy‘s Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich this season? Here are a few pro tips from a fast food aficionado:
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Customize it: Don‘t be afraid to make substitutions or add toppings to create your perfect fish sandwich. Try doubling up on pickles, adding sliced tomato, or swapping the American cheese for pepperjack. The world is your oyster! (Or, in this case, pollock).
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Time it right: For optimal freshness and quality, aim to visit Wendy‘s during peak lunch or dinner hours when turnover is highest. Avoid the end of late-night shifts when fish fillets may have been sitting under heat lamps longer.
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Know the sell-out risk: As mentioned, some locations have been known to run out of fish sandwiches, especially on Fridays during Lent. If you have your heart set on snagging one, call ahead to confirm availability or plan to go earlier in the day.
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Don‘t sleep on the spicy: If you can handle a little heat, the Spicy Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich is a standout. The spicy sauce has a nice kick without overpowering the fish, and the pepper jack cheese is a fun twist.
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Make it a meal: Wendy‘s Natural-Cut Sea Salt Fries are the perfect pairing for the Crispy Panko, but don‘t overlook other complementary sides like their new Sunburst Melon Salad or a classic Chocolate Frosty for dessert.
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Get saucy: Wendy‘s offers a variety of dipping sauces that can add an extra dimension to your fish sandwich experience. Their new Creamy Bistro Sauce or Ghost Pepper Ranch can really elevate the flavor profile, or stick with the classic tartar for double the tang.
The Future of Wendy‘s Fish Sandwiches
As a professional marketer and self-proclaimed fast food oracle, I‘m always looking ahead to what‘s next in the world of drive-thru delicacies. When it comes to Wendy‘s fish offerings, I have a few predictions and wishes for the future:
More sustainable sourcing: Wendy‘s has already made strides by moving to wild-caught Alaskan Pollock for its fish fillets, but I would love to see the company double down on its commitment to sustainable seafood. Partnering with organizations like the Marine Stewardship Council or the Aquaculture Stewardship Council to certify its fish sources would be a big step in the right direction.
Year-round availability: While I understand the seasonal appeal and tradition of the Lent fish sandwich promotion, I think there‘s an opportunity for Wendy‘s to make its Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich a permanent menu fixture. It‘s a high-quality product that stands out from the fast food pack, and customer demand seems to be there.
Expanded fish menu: Why stop at sandwiches? I would love to see Wendy‘s explore other applications for its delicious Alaskan Pollock fillets, like bite-sized fried fish nuggets, fish tacos, or even a healthier grilled fish option. The more the merrier, in this pescatarian‘s humble opinion.
Global inspirations: As an international chain, Wendy‘s has the opportunity to take inspiration from regional seafood specialties and flavor profiles. Imagine a beer-battered fish sandwich with Old Bay seasoning, a Thai-style panko fish sandwich with green curry sauce, or a Mexican-inspired pescado frito torta. The possibilities are endless and exciting.
Of course, only time will tell what the future holds for Wendy‘s fish offerings. But one thing is certain: as long as the Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich keeps swimming onto menus each spring, this fast food fanatic will be first in line to catch one while I can.
