Wendy's Is ripping off every customer who orders a "Value Meal" Woodinville Washington

Dear Problem solvers:

I want you to look into the way that Wendy's Restaurants is doing business. I believe they are price gauging and taking advantage of their customers. Here is my story.

On January 19, 2009 I went to the Woodinville Wendy's for lunch. The time was 2:30 pm and there was 1 other couple in the store placing their order when I arrived. I had a few minutes to look at the menu as I was waiting to take my order. What I noticed was a little upsetting. At Wendy's they have 10 combo meals, each combo meal comes with a sandwich, small fries and small drink. The fries and drink are the exact same no matter which sandwich you order. The pricing for each sandwich ala carte is stated as well as the price for the combo meal. While waiting I noticed that there was a large discrepancy between some of the pricing. For example

#2 Double Cheeseburger

Sandwich Only $4.49

Combo Meal $6.69

for a difference of $2.20 , so you are paying $2.20 for a small fries and small drink
#10 Fish Sandwich

Sandwich Only $3.49

Combo Meal $4.99 for a different of $1.50 , so you are paying $1.50 for a small fries and small drink

This is a $.70 difference for the EXACT SAME fries and drink.

These are the most extreme examples on the menu. There is no consistency between any of the 10 combo meals as they are all a different price for the small fries and drink. On the Wendy's corporate website at this link http://wendys.com/food/Family.jsp?family=4 it clearly says:

" Mix-and-match your favorite sandwiches, sides and drinks. It never costs extra to shuffle'em up any way you want"

So, This got me thinking. In this economy, when we are counting every penny we spend, why should I have to pay more for the exact same fries and drink than someone who gets a fish sandwich. I asked the kid at the counter why it was priced like that and he said he didn't know and asked if I would like to speak to the manager. I said I would, and a few moments later than manager Perdeep arrived. I explained my question to him, he didn't seem to understand the point I was trying to make, so I explained again. He still didn't seem to understand so I explained it to him a third time.

At this time I could tell he was getting a little frustrated, he started to say things like" You must want a discount" and " I will just give it to you for free". I said that was not what I was looking for, I just wanted an explanation as to why the pricing was like this. he said, " I am giving you your food for free, be happy with that and go sit down before it gets cold". I was not looking to start any trouble with him, so I just got my food and went and sat down. On the way to my table the other couple that were ordering when I arrived said that I was absolutely right and they couldn't understand how he could talk to me this way. I sat down and ate my food and quietly left the restaurant, noting the corporate phone number from the door.

When I arrived back to work I called the corporate phone number and told them my story, the operator told me that she had no idea why the pricing was like this, apologized and said she would have someone follow-up on this.

On February 6th, when I had not heard from anyone I called the local Wendy's Regional Office at 425-774-3800 and asked to speak to the district manager. His name was Ruben Gounder. I explained the whole story to him and he took my information and promised to follow up with me. I have yet to hear from him.

I again tried to reach him on February 12th to no avail, so I called and asked to speak to the person above him, that person was David Antis. I was told that he would call me back. He never did, I finally reached him on February 22nd and gave him the story again. He gave me the excuse that all of the prices are based on food cost. I told him that the cost for the fries and drink don't change from one combo to the next, and your already paying more for the sandwich. He really didn't have an answer.

So, I ask you problem solvers, Can you please find out why I have to pay more for my fries and drink when I order a double cheese burger, then someone who orders a fish sandwich? Why is Wendy's taking advantage of the public.

What Can be done? A National Boycot? A Lawsuit? Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.

David
Sammamish, Washington
U.S.A.