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Shoppers at select Walmart locations across the western United States are about to get a taste of iconic hot dog history. In a strategic move to chang up its in-store dining options and expand its footprint, Walmart has announced a new partnership with Wienerschnitzel, the world’s largest hot dog chain. This collaboration will bring Wienerschnitzel’s beloved menu, including its famous Chili Cheese Dogs and Tastee Freez desserts, directly into the retail giant’s stores.
The initial rollout will see six new franchise-operated Wienerschnitzel restaurants opening by Fall 2025 in Walmart stores located in Puyallup, Washington; Alamogordo, New Mexico; Tempe, Arizona; Reno, Nevada; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Bakersfield, California. This marks a huge step in Wienerschnitzel’s newly launched efforts to enter target consumer markets through “nontraditional venues.”
For Walmart, the partnership aligns with its push to enhance the in-store experience and offer customers more convenient and appealing dining choices. By integrating a well-known and loved brand like Wienerschnitzel, Walmart aims to give shoppers another compelling reason to visit and linger longer in their stores.
“Wienerschnitzel has spent decades building a strong reputation, especially on the West Coast, and this expansion into Walmart stores signifies a new era of growth for the brand,” stated Shak Turner, Wienerschnitzel’s Director of Franchise Expansion. “It’s clear Wienerschnitzel’s unique concept fills a specific void for multi-brand franchisees looking to grow their portfolios, which is one of the elements that attracted me to the brand initially. I’m thrilled to join this amazing team and play a part in spearheading initiatives and new partnerships, which will no doubt catapult the brand to new markets.”
Ted Milburn, Director of Franchise Development for Wienerschnitzel, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the modernization of their footprint: “These non-traditional formats allow us to modernize our footprint, bring our iconic flavors to new audiences, and reinforce the brand’s relevance in today’s evolving retail and dining landscape. Growing inside these Walmart locations significantly expands our reach and opens the door for franchisees to tap into high-traffic locations with built-in demand.”
Each of the new in-store Wienerschnitzel locations will feature the brand’s full menu, offering customers everything from classic hot dogs and corn dogs to chili cheese fries, jalapeño poppers, and a variety of Tastee Freez soft serve desserts. The move to a full menu offering, rather than a pared-down version often seen in non-traditional spaces, underscores both companies’ commitment to delivering a complete and authentic Wienerschnitzel experience.
This collaboration is part of a larger, flexible business model Wienerschnitzel is pursuing, exploring opportunities in other high-traffic environments like airports, military bases, theme parks, and convenience stores. With over 340 franchised outlets in 13 states and more than 50 new locations in development, Wienerschnitzel is clearly on an aggressive growth trajectory.
