Wendy's is bringing back its classic yellow packaging starting Sept. 28 through 2027, saying fans requested the change. The White House publicly thanked former President Donald Trump for the comeback, prompting widespread skepticism and mockery on X. Critics called the post tone-deaf amid rising living costs—food prices were up 2.7% year-over-year in August and energy costs rose 16.3%—and the announcement coincides with a bankruptcy filing by major Wendy's franchise operator Meritage Hospitality Group.
White House Thanks Trump for Wendy's Yellow-Packaging Comeback — Social Media Pushes Back
The White House has tried to take credit for Wendy's switching back to its classic yellow packaging, but social media users aren't buying it (Wendy's)
The White House publicly thanked former President Donald Trump after fast-food chain Wendy's announced a limited return of its classic yellow cups and boxes — a nod to 1990s nostalgia — but many social media users rejected the suggestion that the revival was his doing.
What Happened
Wendy's confirmed this week that it will reintroduce yellow packaging beginning Sept. 28 and continue to use the design into 2027. The chain originally used yellow cups and boxes when it opened in Columbus, Ohio, in 1969 before gradually switching to the now-familiar red-and-white packaging.
White House Comment and Online Reaction
The White House social account responded to an X post about the comeback by posting:
"Thank you, President Trump!!!!!"The comment framed the move as linked — tongue-in-cheek or otherwise — to Mr. Trump's well-known affinity for rival fast-food chains.
That reply drew swift skepticism and ridicule. Some X users said Trump had nothing to do with the decision and credited Wendy's founder Dave Thomas or customers who had requested the return. Other responses called the claim delusional or tone-deaf, arguing it was a strange thing to celebrate amid larger economic concerns.
In response to Wendy's yellow packaging comeback, the White House publicly thanked President Donald Trump, a known lover of rival fast-food joint McDonald's (Getty Images)
Wendy's Statement
Wendy's rejected the idea that the White House influenced the packaging choice. A company spokesperson told TODAY.com that "fans have been asking for its return for years, making it one of the most requested comebacks in Wendy's history." Wendy's also confirmed to USA TODAY that the yellow packaging will roll out on Sept. 28 and remain in place into 2027.
Context: Costs and Operations
Critics used the exchange to highlight broader economic frustrations. According to the federal Consumer Price Index, food costs were 2.7% higher in August year-over-year, while energy costs rose 16.3% in August compared with the prior year amid international tensions related to the Iran conflict. Many commenters argued that voters want relief on essentials such as groceries, fuel, rent and utilities rather than social-media shout-outs about fast-food packaging.
Related Business News
The packaging revival comes as one of Wendy's largest franchise operators, Meritage Hospitality Group Inc., filed for bankruptcy protection. The Grand Rapids, Michigan–based operator runs more than 300 Wendy's restaurants and cited "sustained system-wide headwinds" affecting the broader Wendy's brand in a news release, while expressing confidence in a potential brand turnaround.
Bottom Line: Wendy's says the yellow packaging is a customer-driven return. The White House's public thanks to former President Trump drew ridicule on social media and renewed debate about priorities amid rising living costs.
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