Wendy's first slogan, “quality is our recipe,” can still be found on many of the restaurants, and the company’s marketing continues to focus on the “quality” part of the equation, said Joseph Goodman, associate professor of marketing at Fisher. That marketing consistency has been beneficial to the chain as the company prepares to turn 50 years old.

“Any good marketing strategy is one that can be consistent over the years,” Goodman said. Even as they push fresh beef “what they’re saying is ‘you come here for the high quality.’ ”