Wienerschnitzel launches its new Bird Dogs! What’s in them and when will they be available?

Attention, hot dog lovers! Wienerschnitzel has announced the launch of a new dish inspired by one of the South’s most iconic comfort foods:Bird Dogs. This reinvented hot dog will be available at over 300 of the chain’s restaurants across the country. Here’s what they’re made of and when you can try them.

What are Wienerschnitzel’s new Bird Dogs like?

Bird Dogs feature crispy fried chicken strips served in hot dog buns, topped with a variety of flavorful ingredients. They will be available in three delicious options:

• Bacon Ranch: Served with tender chicken breast, diced bacon, two slices of tomato, and ranch dressing.
• Buffalo Ranch: Features tender chicken breast, two slices of tomato, ranch dressing, and buffalo sauce.
• BBQ: Includes tender chicken breast, grilled onions, pickles, and BBQ sauce.

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“South Carolina is known for its Southern Bird Dogs. Since they are served in hot dog buns, we felt like this was the perfect way to introduce chicken at our restaurants. Once we tried them, we knew we had a winner,” said Doug Koegeboehn, Wienerschnitzel’s Chief Marketing Officer.

When will Wienerschnitzel’s Bird Dogs be available?

The new Bird Dogs will be available on the menu starting April 28.

Wienerschnitzel Chicken Combos

In addition to the Southern Bird Dogs, chicken fans can enjoy these other menu items:

• Tenders a la carte
• Regular Combo – 2 tenders, regular fries, and dipping sauce
• Large Combo – 4 tenders, large fries, and 2 dipping sauces

Wienerschnitzel History

Founded in 1961 by John Galardi with a modest hot dog stand in Wilmington, California, Wienerschnitzel has become one of the most recognizable names in fast food. Today, it’s the largest hot dog chain in the world, serving over 120 million hot dogs annually.

The brand’s mission, “Serving Food to Serve Others,” reflects its social commitment—donating a portion of its profits to charitable partners. Headquartered in Irvine, California, Galardi Group Inc. franchises approximately 350 Wienerschnitzel locations across 10 states. The group also owns and operates the Hamburger Stand and Tastee Freez, LLC brands.

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What are Bird Dogs?

Bird Dogs, also known as Bird Dawgs, are a creative twist on traditional hot dogs. In this variation, the sausage is replaced with fried chicken, and they can be topped with ingredients like pickles, sauces, and other flavorful add-ons.

Who invented hot dogs?

The history of the hot dog traces back to Germany, where sausages have been part of culinary tradition for centuries. In the 19th century, German immigrants brought these sausages to the United States, where they quickly gained popularity—especially at sporting events and fairs. It was during the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri, that the modern hot dog began to shine. To make them easier to eat while strolling through the fair, vendors started serving sausages in long buns.

The term “hot dog” also has an interesting backstory. One of the most popular theories attributes its origin to cartoonists of the era, who depicted street vendors selling long sausages as dachshunds in buns—a nod to the sausages’ shape. These humorous illustrations are believed to have inspired the term “dog” in reference to the dish.

Since then, the hot dog has evolved from a simple street food into a true American icon, with countless regional variations—from the classic New York hot dog with mustard and sauerkraut to the fully loaded Chicago-style dog, topped like a full-blown salad. The hot dog continues to evolve with every new generation.

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