Say hello—make that, ciao—to Wendy's new Ciabatta Bacon Cheeseburger. The new item features Mediterranean-inspired ingredients like rosemary garlic aioli, roasted chopped tomatoes, spring mix, and Asiago cheese with a hot quarter-pound patty and applewood-smoked bacon served on toasted ciabatta bread.

"We're back again with another premium cheeseburger on an artisan-crafted bun to give consumers what they've come to love from Wendy's," says Craig Bahner, Wendy's chief marketing officer. "The new Ciabatta Bacon Cheeseburger reinforces our commitment to offer consumers premium ingredients and unique flavors, changing what they should expect from a quick service restaurant. 2013 was our 'Year of the Bun'—featuring the popular artisan pretzel bun paired with both cheeseburgers and chicken sandwiches; buttery brioche with our Bacon Portabella Melt; and a five-grain flatbread that gave grilled chicken a brand new look. Sales results proved these products were a hit with consumers as company-operated same restaurant sales were up 3.2 percent in the third quarter of 2013 versus the prior year, and preliminary same restaurant sales were up 3.1 percent in the fourth quarter."

These innovative products are one component of Wendy's ongoing brand transformation initiative, which also includes the re-imaging of restaurants with a bold, contemporary look; an updated Wendy's logo; new crew uniforms; and consumer-preferred menuboards and packaging.