Wendy’s Is Officially Coming To Melbourne, Bringing Its Iconic Square Patties And Drive-Thru With It

Australia often feels so far removed from the rest of the world, and while that can be a good thing, it can also induce some serious FOMO. So when a big-name international institution finally makes its way to our shores, it's always exciting. And folks, we're getting just that. 

Yep, after successfully launching up north, Wendy’s—the square-burger-slinging, Frosty-serving, never-frozen-beef institution that’s been a fixture of American pop culture since 1969—is officially coming to Melbourne.

Even if you’ve never had the pleasure of tasting a Wendy's signature square burger before, you’re probably familiar with the chain’s wild (in all the best ways) X (Twitter) behaviour; but either way, you’ll understand why this is a big deal for Melburnians. 

Here’s what we know. 

Image: Wendy's Australia | Facebook

When And Where Is Wendy’s Opening In Melbourne? 

Wendy’s very first Victorian restaurant opens on Wednesday 24 June at 1A Assembly Drive, Dandenong South. Trading hours are 9am–11pm, Sunday to Thursday, and 9am–midnight, Friday to Saturday.

Where Is Wendy’s Opening In Melbourne? 

The first Victorian iteration of Wendy’s is landing in Dandenong South, and we’re not surprised: the south-east corridor is one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing communities. This opening marks another step in the broader Wendy's national expansion strategy, with plans to open 200 restaurants across Australia over the next decade. They’ve also labelled Melburnians the "most vocal" in calls for an Australian arrival, so go team. 

What Makes The Melbourne Wendy's Different? 

Beyond the cultural cachet it brings, Wendy’s Dandenong South will mark Australia’s first Wendy’s drive-thru. It’ll look different to your usual drive-thru situation: crew members will work directly in the drive-thru lanes, greeting customers face-to-face and taking orders on handheld tablets. 

In an era where everything is automated, it’s a refreshing change of pace to have an actual human interaction instead of shouting into a speaker box (we've all been there, right?). 

What’s On The Menu At Wendy’s Dandenong South? 

The full Wendy’s menu will arrive with the Melbourne store opening—square burgers included, and yes, they're square on purpose. Wendy’s famously doesn’t cut corners on its burgers, and this brand philosophy means that they only ever use fresh, never frozen 100% Australian beef. 

Expect Classic, Double, and Triple patties, double hand-breaded chicken tenders, the Baconmater (a bespoke Wendy’s creation just for us Aussies), loaded fries, and the Chilli Cheese. And of course, don’t forget to treat yourself to the iconic Original Frosty; it’s their signature frozen dessert that’s thick enough for a spoon, and forever embedded in the memory of anyone who grew up watching American TV.

Anything Else I Should Know About Melbourne's First Wendy's? 

Melbourne customers were vocal in their demands for a Wendy’s, so consider this a hard-earned win. The Queensland launch earlier this year broke Wendy’s global opening week sales records, so make sure you get in early if you’re planning to visit early in the piece. 

Wendy’s Dandenong South opens 24 June at 1A Assembly Drive. Catch you at the drive-thru?