Every year when the weather gets cold we like to run a list of our favorite places boasting an inviting fireplace, most of which are bars and cozy restaurants. But soon enough we may be listing a fast food chain or two as apparently Wendy's has begun putting hearths in its company-owned restaurants. Between the "upscale" McDonald's redesigns, Burger King cologne, and V-day White Castle dinners, it looks like One If By Land, Two If By Sea better watch its back!
We haven't actually spotted a fireplace in the wilds of NYC, but they appear to be coming (in the meantime? We hear the upstairs at Wendy's Fulton Street location would make for a great engagement party!). As for the why of a gas fireplace that won't actually warm you up in a place that serves mass-processed foods? The CEO of Tesser, the company that designed Wendy's new look, explains to Bloomberg that, "The hearth at home is a gathering place. It’s warm, it’s comfortable, it says stay and relax, as opposed to, this is fast food, get in and get out as quickly as possible." Which is to say, the fireplace is to make your neighborhood franchise feel more homey—so you might spend more money (because folks who eat in and fast food restaurants spend more).
Have you spotted a fireplace in a Wendy's? Let us know in the comments, we want to see these things in person!
