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America's Second-Largest Burger Chain Is Rumored to Have This New Sandwich In the Works

Is it too late, though?
FACT CHECKED BY Mura Dominko

The Chicken Sandwich Wars may not be as heated as they were last year, but that doesn't mean innovation is over in that department. One major chain thinks there's still room to put a few twists on the classic.

Following the release of last year's Jalapeño Popper Chicken Sandwich, Wendy's seems to be bringing the heat once again, with the rumored launch of two new "hot honey" chicken sandwiches.

We Tried 11 Fast-Food Chicken Sandwiches and This Is the Best One

News of the menu addition first appeared on TikTok, where a Wendy's insider shared a clip of a training video featuring the new sandwiches. Based on the clip, the hot honey lineup will include a Hot Honey Chicken Biscuit and a Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich.

@mr.mawby

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The clip, which has been viewed over 360,000 times and received 39,000 likes, has found its way onto other social media platforms, including Reddit. Several users identifying themselves as employees confirmed on the platform that the hot honey sandwiches are scheduled for a late-February release, and will replace Wendy's Jalapeño Popper chicken sandwich.

Another rumor? There will be a matching hot honey dip for nuggets.

No information is currently available on what kind of hot honey Wendy's will be using for its new menu items. Hot honey has exploded in popularity in the past few years—thanks, in part, to the success of New York-based honey company Mike's Hot Honey.

The brand has already collaborated with a number of quick-service chains, eager to hop on the hot honey trend. But given Wendy's history of developing its products in-house (Wendy's first plant-based burger, for example, was a solo effort), it seems likely that the chain will be using its own recipe.

Wendy's isn't the first fast-food restaurant to offer a combo of spicy honey and fried chicken on a bun. Popeyes' limited-time Hottie Sauce—marketed as a condiment for its popular chicken sandwich—is a spicy mixture of honey, cider vinegar, and Aleppo pepper. The ever-popular Shake Shack launched a hot honey chicken sandwich in July, while regional brands Carl's Jr and Hardee's did so in September. This begs the question: is Wendy's too late with this launch?

The chain has not responded to our request for comment.

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Owen Duff
Owen Duff is a freelance journalist based in Vermont, home of Ben & Jerry’s. Read more about Owen