Went to Wendy's here in Mesa after a gap of many years when it comes to Wendy's. Note, today is 03/02/2019. I am not known these days for "fast food". Neither is my wife. We went here because we wanted a simple lunch, and because we wanted something that my wife's high school age nephew would eat. The following are our observations and thoughts (my wife, nephew, and myself).
1) I ordered a standard full taco salad. While I did remember it fondly from when I used to eat this nearly 10 years ago, I can see why I do not eat it now. While it may be okay, I found it a bit salty, and well, even I, a so-so cook, can make a better salad.
2) My wife ordered Jr Cheeseburger $4 meal deal. They made a few errors in the preparation of this. My wife asked for BBQ sauce, they gave her Honey Mustard. She also got a hot coffee that she did not order. For her, it was otherwise okay. Also the chicken nuggets tasted stale (sitting too long under heat lamps).
3) My wife's nephew got a barbecue cheeseburger combo. They made a few errors in the preparation of this. First, the combo was supposed to have fries. They forgot the fries. That is actually okay, as my wife, really did not want her fries and gave it to him. Second, my wife's nephew requested, no pickles, they put pickles on it. Third, the onions tasted awful (he just put them in the garbage)--he is generally quite fond of onions.
As you can see, things change, and even I change. Perhaps it is best that I let those experiences from 10+ years ago be that. I do not want what Wendy's is today (at least in Mesa) to tarnish my views. The quality of Wendy's has slipped. By the way, when this location gets busy, they appear to suffer on quality. There were a number of people this afternoon who were waiting for orders, that had them messed up (one even took the tray to his table, to find out they forgot his burger). It is almost pointless to go back, particularly when the customer line is going out the door. When I saw the long drive thru line, I should have gone somewhere else, and come at a different time. I do not mind the wait, but the quality as far as accuracy is not good.
They got a good business here in Mesa....a lot of seniors who perhaps are, or were, regulars back home, before retiring to Mesa AZ. They apparently got a clientele. They need to address the accuracy of presenting orders to customers. Apparently, the staff really struggles behind the counter when there is a huge backlog. However, it just takes turning enough people off to the point they never come back (hence a lost sale).
To the franchise owner and manager, please be more of a leader, show more of a presence, and TRAIN YOUR STAFF!!! If you happened to be on duty the afternoon of 03/02/2019, then you need to look at upgrading your own skills, as I did not see you being an effective leader. read more