Are you looking for Wendy’s interview questions?
This article will prep you for your Wendy’s interview, go over the interview questions you’re most likely to face, and provide some sample answers you can use for inspiration.
Wendy’s Interview Tips: How to Prepare for the Interview
Before going into this interview, you need to have a firm grasp of the company background, what to wear during the interview, and what to expect throughout the interview process.
Don’t need our Wendy’s job interview tips? Skip to the questions.
What to Research (Wendy’s Facts)
This part will help you with any research-based questions (chances are good that you’ll be asked some of these). We’ve provided you with a few good starting points below:
- Wendy’s ‘old-fashioned’ hamburgers were inspired by founder Dave Thomas’s trip to his hometown, Kalamazoo, MI.
- Dave Thomas named the restaurant after his daughter, Melinda Lou ‘Wendy’.
- Their signature menu item, the Frosty, debuted in 1969.
- Dave Thomas appeared in 800 Wendy’s television ads.
- Their first franchise opened in 1972.
- In 2019, they released a tabletop roleplaying game, Feast of Legends.
- Wendy’s debuted a breakfast menu in 2020.
Sources: Wendy’s ‘Wendy’s Story’, Wikipedia
What to Wear (Wendy’s Dress Code)
The best way to dress for the interview is to look at Wendy’s staff dress code for the position you’re interviewing for, and use that as a reference point. This will help the interviewer envision you as part of the team.
In terms of specifics, for an entry-level role such as a crew service member, cook, or drive-thru attendant, wear dark pants or blue jeans with no holes or tears, and a gray t-shirt or polo shirt.
For a supervisory or managerial role such as an assistant general manager or general manager wear black pants with a dark belt, and a gray, short-sleeved button-up.
Sources: Wendy’s ‘Careers’, Indeed
What to Expect (Wendy’s Hiring Process)
Wendy’s hiring process starts with submitting an online or in-store application.
After a manager has reviewed your application, they will contact you by phone or email to schedule an in-person interview. Most applicants have an interview within three days of submitting an application.
Sometimes, applicants will have a first interview with the assistant manager, followed by a second interview with the general manager.
Wendy’s often hires on the spot. Most applicants hear back within a week following their last interview.
Sources: Wendy’s ‘Careers’, Indeed
Wendy’s Interview Questions and Answers
These are the most common interview questions and sample answers for those applying for a job at Wendy’s.
1. Why Do You Want to Work at Wendy’s?
The interviewer wants to know what your career goals are and how a job at Wendy’s fits into that.
Sample answer:
“Wendy’s has always stood out to me for its values. It’s clearly a company that believes in old-fashioned quality and simple, friendly service. The restaurant really sets itself apart from competitors with the warmth of its overall culture.
I’ve always pictured myself working as a corporate employee for a company like Wendy’s that doesn’t allow success to compromise its values.
Working on the front lines in a Wendy’s restaurant, making sure that customers receive quality food and friendly service, is the best first step in that direction that I can imagine.”
Related: How to Answer: Why Do You Want to Work Here?
2. What Can You Tell Us About Wendy’s?
The interviewer wants to know if you’re invested in the hiring process and if you’ve done your research.
Sample answer:
“I know a few things about Wendy’s. I read that the founder, Dave Thomas, had the idea to start Wendy’s after a trip to his hometown, Kalamazoo, Michigan. I also know that Frosty is an original menu item from 1969.
I find that kind of continuity and connection to the past really inspiring. My own love of serving people food comes from growing up in the kitchen with my grandmother. She taught me that when you make food, care matters.
Wendy’s history and philosophy really resonate with that. I know there’s a lot about the company I still have to learn, though. I’d love to hear about what’s on the horizon for the company.”
Related: How to Answer: What Do You Know About Us?
3. What Skills Would You Like to Improve?
The interviewer wants to know if you can honestly self-assess and make a plan to improve.
Sample answer:
“One skill I’d really like to improve is communication. It’s so important in every aspect of work and life. One of my previous roles was at a call center. When you’re talking to a customer over a phone, good communication skills become that much more important.
Over time, I noticed that the best communicators received the highest ratings from the customers they worked with. Good communicators provide better customer service.
With enough effort, I know I can become a great communicator. I’ve made a point of reading books on effective interpersonal communication and trying to use what I learn in daily life. I know that the practice is going to pay off.”
Related: How to Answer: What Skills Do You Want to Improve?
4. What Is Your Cash Handling Experience?
The interviewer wants to know if you’re trustworthy and have the skills to handle money.
Sample answer:
“In my last role, I worked as a grocery store cashier. I handled cash every day, both when checking customers out and when I was assigned to close the cash register during the last shift. That experience really helped me learn how to record takings and daily data, as well as deal with any discrepancies.
There’s a lot at stake when it comes to money. After all, the cash I’m handling is the customer’s hard-earned money and the company’s valuable revenue.
I really pride myself on being meticulous and trustworthy. I put in my all to do a good job, and it shows in my work.”
Related: How to Answer: What Is Your Cash Handling Experience?
5. How Do You Adapt to Change?
The interviewer wants to know if you can roll with the punches and rise to new challenges.
Sample answer:
“I look at change as an opportunity. In the workplace, I tend to trust that my superiors have good reasons for introducing changes and welcome the chance to do things differently.
In my last position, we had a huge problem with our timekeeping system. We used unreliable punchcards. Management saw the issue and introduced a new app for clocking in and out. A lot of people complained that the new system was hard to learn, but I put in the time and quickly learned to use it.
Eventually, I became the go-to person for my coworkers because I knew the software so well. It was great to have that opportunity to learn something new.”
Related: How to Answer: How Do You Adapt to Change?
Other Questions to Expect
As part of every job interview, you should expect a few traditional or generic questions that have nothing to do with the company or role.
Watch out for these in particular:
- How do you handle stress?
- Describe a challenge you’ve overcome.
- What’s your definition of great customer service?
- What’s something you enjoy doing in your free time?
- How would you describe yourself?
- What excites you most about food service?
- Why are you qualified for this position?
- How would you handle a difficult coworker?
- What tasks do you least enjoy doing?
- Do you have any experience preparing food?
Don’t Give Up!
Learning the most common Wendy’s job interview question doesn’t always guarantee you’ll get the job.
However, there are many similar fast-food restaurants looking for new employees such as In-n-Out Burger, KFC, Papa Johns, and Jack-In-The-Box.