Hidden message in Wendyâs logo makes you crave home cooking
Anyone familiar with Wendyâs will also know the freckle-faced girl with the red braided pigtails pictured in its logo, a beacon of hope to fast food enthusiasts.
But the image is more than a caricature of some girl â it âunintentionallyâ makes people crave some of momâs home cooking, a sense of comfort that the restaurant reflects.
In 1969, when Dave Thomas (1932 to 2002) opened the now iconic Wendyâs, the fast-food tycoon wanted the restaurant to reflect the wholesome and inviting demeanor of his fourth child, daughter Melinda Lou âWendyâ Thomas (now Morse).
âHe wanted a character, because he worked for the Colonel at Kentucky Fried Chicken and knew how much that persona mattered,â Wendy explained of the logo that she has a starring role. âHe said, âWendy, pull your hair up in pigtails.â So, I did. He got his camera and took pictures of me and my sister and said, âYep, itâs going to be Wendyâs Old-Fashioned Hamburgers.ââ
Over the years, the menu has expanded beyond old fashioned burgers, a delicious Frosty or a bowl of hot chili. And the logo, thatâs packed with nostalgic power, has had a subtle tweak to the image of the redheaded girl in a blue and white striped dress.
Imprints your brain
In its recent redesign about a decade ago, Wendyâs retained the essence of the original logo while giving it a fresher look. The updated version subtly softened the features of the mascot and refined the typography, ensuring it appealed to new generations without alienating long-time fans. This delicate balance of modernity and tradition keeps the logo timeless while still invoking a sense of the past.
After inspecting the latest design, some people determined that the fast-food restaurant is trying to tease our brains with âa subliminal message on the collar of the brandâs poster girl.â
âSome say that this makes you associate the brand with the comfort of home cooking. Although this is something you may not notice consciously for years, it will leave an imprint on your brain,â writes a commercial logo expert about Wendyâs brilliant branding.
Do you see it? Look closely and youâll see âmomâ written on Wendyâs frilled collar. And once you spot it, you canât unsee it!
According to Business Insider, the âmomâ effect is most noticeable in the monochromatic red version of the logo, often seen on Wendyâs Styrofoam cups. The illusion arises from the curve of the ruffled neckline.
Addressing the rumors, a Wendyâs spokesperson stated: âWe are aware of this and find it interesting that our Wendy cameo has âmomâ on her ruffled collar. We can assure you it was unintentional.â
Though the hidden mom theory has been debunked, the association of Wendyâs with warmth and family values remains a hallmark of the brand.
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