Did You know Ireland used to have Wendy’s, 7-Eleven And Dunkin Donuts?
Words:Hannah Lemass
Images: Instagram & Eamon McArthur
Wendy’s is coming to Dublin early next year but it’s not her first rodeo in the Fair City. Wendy’s was in Ireland in 1981s. Her tenure here was short-lived before she packed it up and went back home officially dissolving in the early noughties. It’s a forgotten era of the Dublin fast food scene, and what’s more, she wasn’t the only American franchise to try to make a big splash here only to quietly disappear and be forgotten.
Some months ago, I came across a man-on-the-street interview from the 1980s posted on TikTok by Irish Daily Times. It’s always fun to look back and see our city in bygone times. But as I watched the video, something caught my eye. Take a look at this image and tell me if you see it too?
No?
ENHANCE!
Just behind those two fine gentlemen, I spied the familiar signage of the well-known purveyor of slushies and rotating hot dogs, 7-Eleven. We all know 7-Eleven from pop culture mentions and social media praise. Some of us may have even had the pleasure of perusing the aisles while abroad, in the States or Asia. I myself have spent plenty of coin on fruit sandwiches and cans of highball in Japanese 7-Elevens.
But never, would I have thought the convenience store giant had made its way onto our shores. Even those old enough to have popped in and partaken seem to have, at best, just a hazy memory of their existence. Yet here it is, evident before our very eyes.
We had her and we lost her.
When I discovered the 7-Eleven lore, it opened a can of worms. People with a memory and observation skills far better than mine brought to light other such forgotten American franchises. Dunkin’ Donuts is undeniably Ben Affleck’s favourite thing on the planet. How many times have we seen him pictured with bucket-sized containers of iced coffee and boxes of donuts balanced in his arms? There must be something to it.
Dunkin’ is an iconic brand, but can you believe the favourite sweet treat outlet of New England was once a fixture here in Ireland too? Dublin had Dunkins all around town, including Grafton Street and The Square, Tallaght. And yes, even Rathmines had a store, where Zambrero is now. Rathmines really appears to have been the epicentre of American brands back in the day. There was also a really cute Dunkin’ Donuts bus driving around town.
Needless to say, I was utterly shocked by these revelations, but the greatest twist was still to come. This is where Wendy’s comes in. Countless anecdotal reports of a Wendy’s came to me. At first, I dismissed it. It was clear some people were confusing Wendy’s with the UK fast food burger chain Wimpy. That itself was a revelation. Who remembers Wimpy being in Dublin? I certainly don’t.
Finally, a breakthrough. TikTok user @FensterDJ sent in a lead. A degraded, fuzzy news clipping shows Wendy’s employee Rachel Tighe and Wendy’s corporate rep John Niklas showing off the Irish Breakfast. The North Earl Street location was, at the time, the 3,047th addition to the chain. Today, there are over 7,000 worldwide, and the new branch in Dublin is set to be the redhead’s latest bid to take over Europe.
It was a bittersweet revelation. Naturally, I was thrilled to have confirmation that Wendy’s had been in Dublin before. I’m a fast food enthusiast and very fond of Wendy’s, having enjoyed it many times during my travels around North America and in Japan. It has always been my favourite. Wendy’s was a place of comfort for me during some challenging months as a child attending school in Canada. I had a tough time adjusting and loved the food at Wendy’s. In Canada, Wendy’s is often adjoiing a Tim Hortons, which meant a double treat of delicious square burgers with fresh, crisp toppings followed by a box of Timbits (Tim Hortons’ signature doughnut holes). I’d like to campaign to make that the norm here too please
So, this discovery felt personal. I was saddened to have missed out on one of my favourite fast food chains being right here in Dublin. But now, hurrah, Wendy is on her way back!
Wendy’s first opened in 1969 in Columbus Ohio and she has been serving up her signature square patties ever since. Other iconic menu items include the Frosty, a thick hybrid of milkshake and soft serve ice cream that is best enjoyed as a dip for fries rather than a dessert. And even casual followers of Wendy lore will also be familiar with the Baconator. An unapologetic heart-stopper of two beef patties, no less than six strips of crispy bacon, lashings of mayo, and American cheese. It’s a frightening creation that is yet somehow very intriguing and enticing.
Founder Dave Thomas started the restaurant spurred on by a love of burgers. When it came time to name his business, Dave tried out all of his five kids’ names to see which one fit best before settling on his daughter, Melinda’s nickname, Wendy.
Why did Wendy Leave Us Then?
It’s crazy to think now, but it seems as though she didn’t have much of an impact on a pre-millennium Dublin. Perhaps we’ve had more exposure to American brands now, and our interest is more primed for it. Maybe we just didn’t have as much of an appetite for fast food back then. We’re not really qualified to make concrete socio-psychological determinations behind the brand’s previous apparent failure. What we do know is that she has a much better chance of success this time around. The plan is expand to 30 outlets across Ireland over the next ten years, so Wendy could be the new Irish it girl soon enough.
And to be frank, Wendy’s was made for Ireland. With her pale skin, red hair, freckles, and woeful fashion sense, she’ll fit right in. And since the company’s HQ is in Dublin, Ohio, we’ll have to chalk this one up to kismet. Wendy is coming home.
