News of Wendy’s famous chili being sold in cans at grocery stores sent fans into a frenzy but they were quickly brought down to earth with a viral video that claims to show how it is actually made.
The clip shows what appears to be a one Wendy’s worker in an unidentified restaurant walking through the process of turning burger patties into the burger chain’s iconic dish – and it could turn people off from eating the fast food company’s famous chili completely.
The video, posted on TikTok and titled ‘don’t eat chili from Wendy’s’, was shared more than 50,000 times and was met with replies from people put off from it along with other hardcore fans who vowed to continue eating it.
It comes after Wendy’s announced it was partnering with packaged goods company Congara to sell its chili in cans at grocery stores for $4.49.
That makes it double the price of a $2.09 small portion whereas a large portion is priced at $2.79 on average across all 50 states, according to Fast Food Menu Prices.
Wendy’s chili lovers shared a viral video of how it is made which could turn people off from eating it completely
It shows what appears to be a Wendy’s worker walking through the process of turning burger patties into the burger chain’s iconic dish
Wendy’s is partnering with packaged goods company Congara to bring their staple dish homes across the US for $4.49 in an exciting move for fans
A first-person view of an employee making Wendy’s chili was shared by TikToker JettyNetworkLLC.
It showed the person gathering burger patties and placing them into a plastic container and the text read: ‘There’s still cheese on one.’
The plastic tub is then filled with water and the employee dunks the meat inside to make sure it is all saturated.
And the employee sticks into a microwave where it’s cooked for one minute and twenty seconds before they take it out and hover it over a sink.
The tub is then strained and the worker grabs a spatula and begins to chop the meat up into smaller pieces of beef.
The video then transitions to the final stage of the mashed up meat which is then placed inside a bag and later used to make Wendy’s famous chili.
It was met with mixed reaction with some disappointed at finding out how their favorite dish is made while others claimed they would still eat it.
One wrote: ‘I can never look at the chili the same.’
While another added: ‘Damn. I always thought their chili was top tier.’
But others were impressed and said they would continue to eat the dish.
A user commented: ‘Oh so this is why it taste so good.’
Another said: ‘Looks good to me! I don’t see a problem.’
While a third said: ‘I am eating it. Wendy’s chili the bomb with some onions and cheese on top myyyy goodness.’
Some people were put off from the video showing how Wendy’s chili is made while others vowed to continue to eat it
Others have called for Wendy’s chili sauce to be sold in stores instead.
A Twitter user wrote: ‘The hell with the chili, I need that Wendy’s gold chili sauce.’
And another said: ‘If they don’t also bottle and sell the chili sauce, then it’s an L.’
Wendy’s has served chili since 1969 and it is one of the most popular and recognizable items it serves and it has been open about the fact it uses leftover patties to produce it.
It revealed its founder Dave Thomas created the delicious menu item that has stood the test of time and holds a special place in the hearts of customers’ after many ‘marathon cooking sessions.’
Wendy’s added: ‘Being a resourceful man — and a little ahead of his time — Dave Thomas inherently understood the concept of food recovery.
‘And by building the brand on the promise of serving fresh, never frozen beef, Dave knew his hamburgers would have a shorter shelf-life.
Wendy’s decision to bring its ‘beloved chili into homes across the country’ divided customers on social media
‘He even asked himself, “what do you do with the leftover hamburger?” The answer was simple: combine the beef we use for our hamburgers with a hearty helping of vegetables, chili beans and a dash of spice.’
The chili it makes in its stores is made using leftover burger meat but it is not clear if this will be the same for the meat in the cans. Each can is loaded with 29g of protein.
They will be distributed in the chili sections of grocery stores and mass retailers, including select online retailers, Conagra said.
Wendy’s decision to bring its ‘beloved chili into homes across the country’ divided customers on social media.
One Twitter user wrote: ‘Wendys sells the absolute worst chili ever made. Why would anyone buy it in a can?’
Another said: ‘What maniac is asking for *this* retail phenomenon to take off?
‘I swear to god Arbys if you start selling potted meat in grocery stores I’m gonna lose my mind.’
But others were more welcoming of the staple dish coming to grocery stores and one said: ‘Oh my. I LOVE Wendy’s chili! Just take all my money now.’
The burger chain has served chili since 1969 and it is one of the most popular and recognizable items it serves
A can off the shelf will cost more than double that of a small portion in Wendy’s restaurants which costs $2.09 while a large portion is priced at $2.79
Another added: ‘Hey Wendy’s, I think I just found the cure for all my problems – your chili! It’s so good, I’m starting to wonder if it’s made by angels. Can you please start selling it in stores?’
Other well known canned chilis brands are available in grocery stores for much cheaper including Armour star chili which costs $1.37 and Hormel chili with beans which costs $2.28.
Wendy’s previously teamed up Kellogg’s to make Wendy’s Frosty Chocolatey Cereal based off its much loved ice cream treat.
And its spicy chicken sandwich was used as inspiration to produce a flavor of Pringles, also owned by Kellogg’s.
Conagra produces other well-known grocery items like Slim Jims, Marie Callender frozen meals and Reddi-wip.
Restaurants are known to partner with consumer packaged goods companies to gain popularity and widen their brand’s presence.