Burger King operates 18,000+ locations globally with flame-grilled burgers and lower prices, while Wendy's runs 7,000+ locations focusing on fresh beef, higher quality ingredients, and a stronger digital presence. Wendy's typically commands higher customer satisfaction scores (78% vs 71%), but Burger King has superior international reach.
Burger King vs Wendy's — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Global fast-food chain specializing in flame-grilled burgers and value pricing with 18,000+ locations.
Premium fast-casual chain operating 7,000+ locations with a focus on fresh, never-frozen beef and higher-quality ingredients.
Global Restaurant Count. Average Customer Satisfaction Score. Beef Freshness Standard. Average Burger Price (USD). Annual Revenue (2024, USD Billions). Mobile App Downloads (millions). Countries of Operation
Choose Burger King if you prioritize value pricing, flame-grilled taste, and international availability—it's ideal for budget-conscious diners and those seeking consistent performance across diverse markets. Choose Wendy's if you want superior fresh ingredients, better customer satisfaction ratings, and a more robust digital ordering experience—it's better for quality-focused consumers willing to pay a premium.
Burger King: $1.8 Billion | Wendy's: N/A
Burger King: Flame-grilled (quality varies by location) | Wendy's: Never-frozen fresh beef
Burger King: ~40 seconds per Whopper | Wendy's: ~25 seconds per Dave's Single
Burger King: Standard Frosty-style offerings | Wendy's: Cookie Dough Frosty Fusion (new core item)
Burger King: Traditional format | Wendy's: Future Fresh design (2026) with digital ordering
Burger King: 5+ burger options at £5.99 | Wendy's: 2-3 burger options at £7.99
Burger King: $6.5B | Wendy's: $2.1B (2024)
Burger King: 660 cal (Whopper) | Wendy's: N/A
Burger King: 8M+ (BK Rewards) | Wendy's: N/A
Burger King: ~1000+ 'Have it Your Way' combos | Wendy's: N/A
Burger King: Whopper: 660 cal | Wendy's: N/A
Burger King: $5.49 (Whopper) | Wendy's: N/A
Burger King: 4-5 minutes | Wendy's: 4.5 minutes
Burger King: Flame-grilled frozen patties | Wendy's: Fresh, never frozen
Burger King: 6 standard toppings | Wendy's: N/A
Burger King: $6.5 billion | Wendy's: N/A
Burger King: $316K - $516K | Wendy's: N/A
Burger King: Flame-grilled (smoky flavor) | Wendy's: N/A
Burger King: $19.3 billion | Wendy's: N/A
Burger King: 660 (Whopper) | Wendy's: N/A
Burger King: 90+ countries | Wendy's: N/A
Burger King: $1.2 million | Wendy's: N/A
Burger King: 168 (24/7 at many locations) | Wendy's: N/A
Burger King: Extensive (50+ combinations) | Wendy's: Extensive (40+ custom combinations)
Burger King: #35 globally | Wendy's: N/A
Whipper/Quarter Pounder Beef Patty Weight
Burger King: 2.0 oz flame-grilled | Wendy's: N/A
Burger King: Flame-grilled (frozen patties) | Wendy's: Fresh, never frozen beef
Burger King: 45 million | Wendy's: 52 million
Burger King: 7.2 minutes | Wendy's: 6.8 minutes
Burger King: N/A | Wendy's: Never-frozen fresh beef
Burger King: N/A | Wendy's: Traditional automated systems
Burger King: N/A | Wendy's: Extensive customization
Burger King: N/A | Wendy's: Closing hundreds
Burger King: N/A | Wendy's: Premium improved recipes 2026
Burger King: N/A | Wendy's: Digital menu boards, traditional operation
Burger King: N/A | Wendy's: Incremental expansion, undisclosed target
Burger King: N/A | Wendy's: Future Fresh design with blue aesthetic and digital integration
Burger King: N/A | Wendy's: Base comparison point
Burger King: N/A | Wendy's: 3-4 toppings
Burger King: N/A | Wendy's: Conventional sourced
Average Meal Cost (Burger + Fries + Drink)
Burger King: N/A | Wendy's: 4.5 hours (6AM-10:30AM typical)
Burger King: N/A | Wendy's: Fresh, never-frozen beef
Burger King: N/A | Wendy's: 6 countries (NA-focused)
Burger King: N/A | Wendy's: 480 cal (Dave's Single)
Burger King: N/A | Wendy's: Never-Frozen (U.S. locations)
How to choose between Burger King and Wendy's
Burger King vs Wendy's — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Burger King vs Wendy's. Contains 108 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Burger King vs Wendy's — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Burger King vs Wendy's.
Why does Wendy's use fresh beef while Burger King uses frozen?
Wendy's built its brand positioning around quality differentiation with the 'fresh never frozen' slogan since 2009, making it a core marketing advantage. Burger King's flame-grilling process works with frozen patties and the company prioritizes cost efficiency and consistent cooking results globally. The frozen vs. fresh distinction reflects different business strategies: Wendy's targets quality-conscious consumers willing to pay more, while Burger King optimizes for value and scale.
Which chain has better customer satisfaction?
Wendy's leads with a 78% satisfaction rating compared to Burger King's 71%, according to 2024 QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) Magazine consumer surveys. Wendy's advantages stem from fresher ingredients, faster drive-through times (6.8 vs 7.2 minutes), and stronger digital ordering experience. However, Burger King scores higher on value perception and menu variety among budget-conscious consumers.
Burger King is consistently cheaper with average burger prices around $5.49 compared to Wendy's $6.79—approximately 24% less expensive. Burger King's value positioning and lower operating costs allow aggressive pricing. Wendy's premium pricing reflects higher-quality beef sourcing, fresher ingredients, and stronger brand positioning as a quality-focused alternative.
Which chain has better international presence?
Burger King dominates internationally with 18,190 locations across 125+ countries versus Wendy's 7,345 locations in 30+ countries. Burger King's global footprint is 2.5x larger, making it the clear choice for international travelers. Wendy's remains primarily North America-focused, with strongest presence in the U.S., Canada, and limited European markets.
Which has the better mobile app and digital ordering?
Wendy's mobile app has 52 million downloads versus Burger King's 45 million, and industry analysts rate Wendy's digital platform as more intuitive with better rewards integration. Wendy's app provides faster checkout and personalized offers based on purchase history. However, both chains continue upgrading digital experiences, with Burger King expanding AI-powered ordering kiosks in 2024-2025.
How to Choose Between Burger King and Wendy's
Global Restaurant Count: Burger King has 18,190 locations, while Wendy's has 7,345 locations.
Consider: Average Customer Satisfaction Score
Average Customer Satisfaction Score: Burger King has 71%, while Wendy's has 78%.
Beef Freshness Standard: Burger King has Flame-grilled (frozen patties), while Wendy's has Fresh, never frozen beef.
Average Burger Price (USD): Burger King has $5.49, while Wendy's has $6.79.
Consider: Annual Revenue (2024, USD Billions)
Annual Revenue (2024, USD Billions): Burger King has $6.2B, while Wendy's has $2.1B.
Consider: Mobile App Downloads (millions)
Mobile App Downloads (millions): Burger King has 45 million, while Wendy's has 52 million.
Countries of Operation: Burger King has 125+ countries, while Wendy's has 30+ countries.