Wendy’s Marketing Mix (4Ps) Analysis

Wendy’s is one of the leading international hamburger fast-food restaurant chains in the world. The company’s marketing mix (4Ps) supports such an industry position. The marketing mix defines the strategies and tactics the company uses to implement its marketing plan and indicates how the business relates with the target market. Wendy’s marketing mix is the company’s approach to the dynamics of the fast-food market. This approach changes according to trends in the global market. The marketing mix shows how Wendy’s addresses issues and needs in the market.

Wendy’s marketing mix (4P) shows that the company relies on traditional approaches to reach target customers in various markets worldwide. The associated marketing strategy also depends on the effective use of the company’s brand and other business strengths determined in the SWOT analysis of Wendy’s.

Wendy’s Products (Product Mix)

Wendy’s is known for hamburgers. However, the company offers many other products. In this component of the marketing mix, organizational outputs are considered. The following are the product lines in Wendy’s product mix:

1. Burgers
2. Chicken
3. Sides
4. Salads
5. Beverages
6. Desserts

While hamburgers are the main product line, Wendy’s offers other product lines to complete the customer experience. For example, with hamburgers, sides, salads, beverages and desserts, customers can enjoy a full meal. This component of the marketing mix involves standardization of products, which supports economies of scale and Wendy’s generic competitive strategy and intensive growth strategies.

Place/Distribution in Wendy’s Marketing Mix

The company completes most of its transactions at its restaurants. This component of the marketing mix identifies the places or venues through which the firm transacts with its customers. In Wendy’s case, the following are the places for distributing products:

1. Restaurants
2. Kiosks
3. Websites
4. Mobile app

Wendy’s generates most of its revenues at its restaurants. However, the company also occasionally uses kiosks, such as those located in malls and venues of special events. Customers can also place their orders through the food-service company’s websites. In addition, the company allows consumers to access the menu and special deals through the Wendy’s mobile app. This component of the marketing mix shows that Wendy’s relies on opening more restaurants to maximize its growth.

Wendy’s Promotion (Promotional Mix)

Wendy’s promotes its products through a variety of strategies and tactics. This component of the marketing mix presents the communication strategies and tactics the company uses to reach its target consumers. Wendy’s applies the following promotion tactics, arranged according to significance:

1. Advertising (main marketing communication tactic)
2. Personal selling
3. Sales promotion
4. Public relations

Advertising is the primary tactic Wendy’s uses to promote its products. For example, the company advertises its products through print media, television, and online media. The food-service business also uses personal selling to communicate with customers. For example, restaurant personnel usually encourage customers to order more products, such as desserts or sides. Wendy’s applies sales promotion in the form of short-term special offers and discounts. For instance, the company occasionally distributes discount coupons to customers. Moreover, the company implements public relations as a way of promoting its business and food products, such as when the company sponsors special community events to make the brand more popular. Thus, Wendy’s addresses this component of the marketing mix mostly through advertising and personal selling, which are significant determinants of the company’s revenues.

Wendy’s Prices and Pricing Strategy

Wendy’s pricing strategy is similar to those of other firms, like McDonald’s and Burger King. This component of the marketing mix identifies the company’s strategies for setting its prices. Wendy’s applies the following pricing strategies:

1. Market-oriented pricing strategy
2. Product bundle pricing strategy

Wendy’s main pricing strategy is market oriented. This pricing strategy reflects the conditions of the market and the competitive landscape. For example, changes in demand and supply are used to adjust the prices of the company’s menu items. On the other hand, the product bundle pricing strategy involves offering product groups (e.g., combo meals) for a discount. These pricing strategies are supported through Wendy’s generic competitive strategies.

References

• Kucuk, S. U. (2023). Marketing and Marketing Mix. In Visualizing Marketing: From Abstract to Intuitive (pp. 7-13). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
• Mir-Bernal, P., & Sadaba, T. (2022). The ultimate theory of the marketing mix: A proposal for marketers and managers. International Journal of Entrepreneurship, 28, 1-22.
• Rajer, N. (2023). New marketing models for developing a marketing strategy. International Journal of Innovation in Marketing Elements, 3(1), 23-29.
• The Wendy’s Company – Form 10-K.
• The Wendy’s Company – Menu.