Woman wins free Wendy's burgers for a year after bizarre costume contest victory
Nearly 20 contestants donned pigtails, freckles and Wendy-inspired outfits for a shot at free food
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}An Ohio woman scored a year's worth of free Dave's Single burgers after taking first place in a Wendy's mascot look-alike contest held on World Redhead Day.
Nearly 20 contestants took to the stage at New York City's Seaport Square (a nod to Wendy's square burger patties) to compete.
Over three rounds, contestants modeled their best Wendy's looks. They then read aloud social media posts written in the brand's signature, playful style.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}WENDY'S FOUNDER WORRIED ABOUT NAMING CHAIN AFTER HIS DAUGHTER: 'I'M REALLY SORRY I DID THAT TO YOU'
The finalists performed their own original Wendy's commercials.
One of the contest judges was Wendy Thomas — daughter of founder Dave Thomas and the real-life inspiration for the brand.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}An Ohio woman named Jennifer, shown at right, won a year's worth of free burgers from Wendy's after winning a look-alike contest. (Jason DeCrow/AP Content Services for Wendy's)
The winner, whose first name is Jennifer (last name not provided), is "a fellow Ohio native whose roots run deep with red hair and home state pride," Wendy's said in a news release.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
Held between World Redhead Day (May 26) and National Burger Day (May 28), the event was designed to celebrate the qualities Wendy's says make both redheads and its brand distinctive, according to the Ohio-based fast-food chain.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Everyone was invited to showcase their best version of Wendy, "from natural red hues and pigtails to wigs, freckles and the iconic blue and white collared dress."
Nearly 20 contestants did their best to imitate Wendy, the iconic mascot of the popular burger chain, for a chance to win free burgers for a full year. (Jason DeCrow/AP Content Services for Wendy's)
Redheads make up just 4% of the U.S. population, according to the World Population Review website.
The look-alike contest reflected Wendy's branding philosophy of "being unforgettable instead of blending in," the company said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES
"The look-alike contest brings that idea to life in a way that is social, visual and fun — a live celebration of the people, personality and spirit that make redheads, and Wendy's, impossible to forget."
Participants in the Wendy's look-alike contest performed their own commercial on stage and read social-media posts in the style of Wendy's aloud to the crowd. (Jason DeCrow/AP Content Services for Wendy's)
Dave's Single is a quarter-pound of fresh beef topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, ketchup and mayo, according to the Wendy's website.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Wendy's was founded in 1969.
Chicago-based food service research firm Technomic listed it as the fifth-highest-grossing restaurant chain in the U.S. in its 2025 rankings, based on 2024 earnings — behind McDonald's, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News Digital reached out to Wendy's for comment.