THE world’s ‘biggest’ Wendy’s has seen hoards of hungry customers queuing hours for food – and they say it’s “far better than McDonald’s”.
Fast-food addicts have been travelling up to 150 miles to line up outside the mega diner in Hull, and sample the mouth-watering menu.
Fans of the American chain are even staying overnight in the area “to make a weekend of it” and get their hands on the grub.
The huge branch, dubbed the “biggest Wendy’s”, boasts a soft play for kids and a Sega video game arcade.
Hungry visitors revealed to the Sun Online their excitement at trying to meal – even travelling hours to get there and lining up in queues of 70 people.
Ethan Kitchen was just one fan – but was left disappointed after travelling nearly 150 miles from Newcastle to sample the famous square burgers.
The 25-year-old queued for 45 minutes but then endured a further hour wait for his meal after a staff error.
He said: “I saw them bring out exactly what I had ordered but they gave it straight to someone else who hadn’t been waiting very long.
“It was annoying but it’s going to be difficult when you’ve only just opened. It’s a big fast food place and it’s really busy, so it’s going to have teething problems.
“I’m just hoping it’s worth the wait.”
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Fellow Wendy’s fan Sophie Johnson, also from Newcastle, agreed and said: “I’ve waited for an hour. They’ve had a bit of an issue with the machines you order your food on.
“We kept getting moved backwards and forwards.
“But they’ve only just opened so I’m going to give them a bit of leeway. You would expect them to have some teething problems.
“My partner goes to America quite a lot and he’s had a Wendy’s in America.
“He hyped it up quite a bit so I wanted to see what the fuss is all about.”
Meanwhile, Casey Downs also hailed the chain – despite steeper prices.
The dad-of-two spent £26 on two meals with drinks and a burger for himself and his kids.
He said: “We had to queue for about 20 minutes. A lot of the ordering kiosks are down but it wasn’t too bad.
“The prices are a bit expensive but the food was good. Far better than Burger King and McDonald’s.
“We’ll come back but maybe when it’s a bit less busy.”
Another happy customer, Simon Harrison, agreed and added: “The prices are pretty much on a par with McDonald’s.
“We queued for half an hour but it seems to be worth it because the kids are quiet.”
WORTH THE WAIT
Meanwhile, staff at Wendy’s were proud to reveal they had broken store opening records after the launch.
Bailey Thornton, a member of the senior leadership team, said: “It’s been crazy.
“People have been queuing up for hours to get their food but they don’t mind and they’ve given us great feedback.
“It’s because we’re new and people want to come and try us. Wendy’s is a renowned premium brand and it’s good for Hull.
“We’ve had people come from all over. I’ve met people from Whitby and Newcastle who have driven over especially.
“It’s bringing a lot of people to Hull. I spoke to people who have come down and stayed over to make a weekend of it.
“I’m from Hull and I’m just buzzing that we’re bringing people into the city. It’s like a little tourist attraction – people want to see the biggest Wendy’s.”
BETTER THAN MACCIES
Wendy’s iconic quarter-pounder with cheese – called a Dave’s Single – with chips and a drink costs £6.99.
The equivalent meal in McDonald’s is just 30p cheaper at £6.69.
Meanwhile, the US chain’s most popular burger – the Baconator bacon-double cheeseburger – is priced at a hefty £10.99 and comes with fries and a drink.
At McDonald’s The Big & Cheesy with Bacon burger costs £8.59 as a medium meal.
However, despite the Golden Arches costing less, hungry fans appeared to be ignoring the rival chain next to Wendy’s.
Wendy’s was founded in Columbus, Ohio, in 1969.
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The chain, which goes by the slogan ‘quality is our recipe’, has 22 outlets across the UK.
The Sun Online reached out to Wendy’s for comment.