Wendy's launches poutine nationwide

OAKVILLE, ON, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Canada has a national sport, a national animal and two official languages. But we do not have a national dish, until now. Wendy's is bringing a Quebec classic across our nation by adding poutine to its menu. To highlight Canadians' love affair with this favourite delicacy, it is launching an online "Poutition" to make it the national dish of Canada.

Building on its iconic fries, cut from whole potatoes, cooked skin-on, served hot and crispy with a sprinkle of sea salt, Wendy's poutine adds fresh Canadian cheese curds (a poutine must!) and is covered in the brand's rich poutine sauce. The delicious marriage of flavours melts together to create a truly Canadian favourite.

"Poutine is a dish that has symbolic importance for many Canadians," said Ron Baugh, Senior Vice President, Wendy's Restaurants of Canada. "So we're asking people to join the conversation. Poutine is perfect when you want to indulge in a hearty, truly Canadian dish."

To show just how much poutine is enjoyed across the nation, Canadians can now visit Poutition.ca or Wendy's Canada Facebook page to virtually sign the petition to make it Canada's national dish. These poutine lovers will also get a free upgrade coupon that can be redeemed at Wendy's stores nationwide with the purchase of a combo. Once 100,000 signatures are received, the "Poutition" will be submitted to Parliament for consideration just in time for Canada Day.

"Many Canadians have grown up enjoying poutine and continue to seek it out as a treat. That's why we wanted to showcase the love of poutine across all provinces in an interactive campaign," said Baugh.

The "Poutition" launched online on April 23^rd and runs till July 1^st. In addition to the Facebook page and YouTube video, national radio and TV spots will begin airing on April 30^th in most Canadian markets. Revamped in-store graphics and merchandise promoting the new dish will also accompany the media launch. Poutine devotees can buy the branded merchandise on CafePress.ca. Items include buttons, bumper stickers, mugs, yard signs and t-shirts.

The mouth-watering new poutine is available now at Wendy's locations across Canada for $3.99 and is also available for $2.20 as a side upgrade in a combo. Wendy's continues to sell its classic fries, chili and oven-baked potatoes as other side options, and is also pleased to offer its new chili cheese fries.

For more information about Wendy's "Poutition", visit Poutition.ca, Facebook.com/WendysCanada and on Twitter @WendysCanada.

About the Wendy's Company
Wendy's is one of the world's most successful restaurant companies with more than 6,600 restaurants worldwide.  More information about The Wendy's Company is available at www.wendys.ca.

A list of additional web links:

• http://www.poutition.ca/
• http://www.facebook.com/WendysCanada
• http://www.youtube.com/user/WendysCanada
• http://www.cafepress.ca/poutition/8768142
• http://www.wendys.ca/

SOURCE Wendy's Restaurants of Canada

Video with caption: "Video: Poutition". Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCTUbEiCw_E

Image with caption: "Wendy's Restaurants of Canada logo (CNW Group/Wendy's Restaurants of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120425_C8581_PHOTO_EN_12676.jpg

Image with caption: "Wendy's Poutine - Building on its iconic fries, cut from whole potatoes, cooked skin-on, served hot and crispy with a sprinkle of sea salt, Wendy's poutine adds fresh Canadian cheese curds (a poutine must!) and is covered in the brand's rich poutine sauce. The delicious marriage of flavours melts together to create a truly Canadian favourite. (CNW Group/Wendy's Restaurants of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120425_C8581_PHOTO_EN_12675.jpg

Audio with caption: "Audio: Poutition". Audio available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/04/25/20120425_C8581_AUDIO_EN_12680.mp3