Wendy’s recently unveiled a collaboration featuring the iconic Krabby Patty to honor the 25th anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants. However, the subsequent $14 Krabby Patty meal has sparked outrage among fans.
On October 2, the fast-food giant revealed its “Krabby Patty Kollab” in partnership with Paramount. This collaboration introduced two limited-time offerings: the Krabby Patty Kollab Burger and the Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty. The Frosty featured Wendy’s classic vanilla flavor enhanced with pineapple puree, and the Krabby Patty Burger boasted a quarter-pound patty accompanied by a “secret Krabby Kollab sauce.”
The Krabby Patty is well-known as one of the most beloved fictional dishes. Within the realm of SpongeBob SquarePants, these burgers are a fundamental part of the Krusty Krab menu, coveted by the show’s antagonists due to their elusive recipe. This piqued the curiosity of viewers who have often speculated about the taste of a Krabby Patty. Anticipation built when Wendy’s announced the launch of this SpongeBob-inspired meal. However, controversy arose almost immediately, especially since the original concept by creator Stephen Hillenburg depicted Krabby Patties as vegetarian, while Wendy’s version includes meat. Despite this, many fans were eager to sample it, only to end up disappointed once again.
Is the Wendy’s Krabby Patty a scam?
Launching on October 9, the Krabby Patty meal received immediate and harsh criticism. Priced at $10.68, it sometimes reached up to $14, depending on varying tax rates or customers’ choices for larger fries and Frostys. A significant number of customers voiced their concerns, declaring the meal a scam. The Krabby Patty Burger, in particular, attracted negative reviews. It was advertised to contain two slices of cheese, the secret sauce, a so-called “premium bun,”and a quarter-pound meat patty similar to Wendy’s signature Dave’s Single.
However, many customers reported that the burger offered nothing new and was indistinguishable from other Wendy’s offerings. Some individuals went as far as to label it merely a Dave’s Single dressed up with a generic Thousand Island-esque sauce. Customers noted that the “premium bun”was, in fact, just a standard bun. One user on Reddit even suggested that the patty was smaller than that of a Dave’s Single, resembling those from Wendy’s Jr. hamburgers. Additionally, fans of SpongeBob expressed their discontent as the meal lacked any special packaging commemorating the celebration. Regarding the Frosty, one reviewer on X pointed out the addition of food coloring. Unsurprisingly, many patrons questioned the rationale behind paying $10 – $14 for a seemingly ordinary Wendy’s burger.
Risked my life in this hurricane 🌪️ to get the new Krabby Patty Meal, only to be let down that it’s just a @Wendys burger with a different name. No packaging, no box, just boring and false advertisement. Don’t waste your time #KrabbyPattyMealReveal #Review #Wendys? pic.twitter.com/vPlkDyQmgK
— Hollywood Cobain (@HollywoodCobain) October 8, 2024
The Krabby Patty meal from Wendys is the exact type of scam Mr. Krabs would come up with. https://t.co/5hsIK6rXMZ
— Church ❇️ (@Found_Waldo) October 9,
They gave us a Dave’s single with raising canes sauce
—:) (@Asvpxmeech) October 9, 2024
@Wendys y’all got some explaining to do on this marketing scam. Krabby patty my ass. $15 Dave double with food coloring in the frosty. Y’all couldn’t even use sesame seed buns!? #KrabbyPattyKollab pic.twitter.com/iKNeXkr7QJ
— NEEK (@neekodegallo) October 10, 2024
Cool new marketing plan for #spongebob25 by @Wendys! They’re going to make a fortune calling their regular Dave’s Single Combo a “Krabby Patty Combo” with zero effort or labeling. The kids & I agree… lame. pic.twitter.com/0rDM697GcN
— Billy Jordan (@BonJonBovis) October 9, 2024
My thoughts on the Wendy’s Krabby Patty Kollab Meal: https://t.co/DXx1JpbZ70 pic.twitter.com/8gAVaVbuFw
— Atom (@stormatom33) October 8, 2024
This is honestly the second most disappointing thing I’ve had from a fast-food chain. @Wendys you can do better! The “Krabby patty”is just a Dave’s single, nothing special at all. #disapointed pic.twitter.com/JG4uxrc9A9
— Maximus Thunderbeard (@MaxThunderbeard) October 8, 2024
The underwhelming response to the meal led to comparisons with other fast-food collaborations based on movies and TV shows. A user highlighted a partnership with a Texas restaurant that showcased a visually appealing burger along with charming SpongeBob-themed packaging.
Why is there two active collabs for a Krabby Patty at two different restaurant chains, this looks SO much better than the Wendy’s one? ?? Such a big IP and a lot of missed opportunity for Wendy’s imo (may make my take/analysis on it?) pic.twitter.com/rzgnDg1YDP
— Eric Aaberg (@ItsEricAaberg) October 11, 2024
“the krabby patty meal sucks but what were y’all expecting from a fast food collab???” Uh…. EFFORT?????? https://t.co/A2kgETpXX8 pic.twitter.com/jByqqkvPYC
— JOLLY J✨ (@DynamoSuperX) October 9, 2024
While it’s reasonable for consumers to temper their expectations regarding fast-food collaborations, these partnerships often come off as mere cash grabs. Restaurants look to entice diners without truly providing something innovative or especially costly. Nevertheless, considering the partnership with Paramount and SpongeBob’s 25th anniversary, it would have been nice if Wendy’s exerted a bit more creativity with its Krabby Patty Meal. As some critics pointed out, even a sesame seed bun could have made a significant difference in distinguishing the Krabby Patty Burger from the standard Dave’s Single.
Leave a Reply