Really Rick Tramonto?

Apparently, now that he's left Tru, he's shilling for Wendy's. I'm sad.

http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/ ... alads.html

I wonder if there was a sentimental/coming full circle kind of draw. His first job in the food industry was at Wendy's

per his twitter, the fact it was his first job (and recruited by Dave Thomas himself?) played a role in it.

I saw this too and was pretty disappointed. I didn't expect this from him, but I will wait and reserve judgement until the new salads actually come out.

Hurdler4eva wrote:I saw this too and was pretty disappointed. I didn't expect this from him, but I will wait and reserve judgement until the new salads actually come out.

I'm never one to question anyone's motivations in pursuing business opportunities. However, I can save you time in the reserving judgment part. When has any restaurant like this surprised anyone on the positive side? Especially one that touts it's dollar menu.

Hurdler4eva wrote:I saw this too and was pretty disappointed. I didn't expect this from him, but I will wait and reserve judgement until the new salads actually come out.

According to Nation's Restaurant News Tramonto was not involved in the development of the product.

He's promoting their fresh salads... it's not like he's promoting the double bacon classic or the twisted frosty. I'm really not quite sure why this is so strange. Wendy's has always been about fresh/not frozen ingredients. I think Rick is a good spokesperson...though, not as well-known (even with being on Top Chef Masters) as other chefs they probably approached first.

Rick Bayless is certainly none the worse off after his shilling for Burger King. There's not likely a soul out there brave enough to turn down TV money for something that will likely be forgotten in 6 months.

soltro79 wrote:He's promoting their fresh salads... it's not like he's promoting the double bacon classic or the twisted frosty. I'm really not quite sure why this is so strange.

Fresh, perhaps, but certainly not healthy.

Using my favorite health-o-meter, a Wendy's Baja, BLT Cobb, or Spicy Chicken Caesar Salad weighs in at roughly 1 KFC Double Down (fried) + 15 grams of fat + 200 calories + 500 mg salt (give or take, depending on the salad). The Apple Pecan Chicken Salad weighs in a bit lighter, at rough parity with just 1 fried double-down.

-Dan

spinynorman99 wrote:Rick Bayless is certainly none the worse off after his shilling for Burger King. There's not likely a soul out there brave enough to turn down TV money for something that will likely be forgotten in 6 months.

Bayless did those ads in 2003 and you're bringing it up now? Yep, forgotten in 6 months. Uh?
--Rich

recruited by Dave Thomas himself

To promote salads?

Really? That would be a neat trick.

Dave Thomas died in 2002.

If you read the post, Ricks First job was at Wendy's.

hoppy2468 wrote:

recruited by Dave Thomas himself

To promote salads?

Really? That would be a neat trick.

Dave Thomas died in 2002.

That one made my day.

spinynorman99 wrote:

Hurdler4eva wrote:I saw this too and was pretty disappointed. I didn't expect this from him, but I will wait and reserve judgement until the new salads actually come out.

When has any restaurant like this surprised anyone on the positive side? Especially one that touts it's dollar menu.

Not long ago

McDonalds surprised me with the quality of their salads. Their southwest salad with corn, black beans, chicken and fresh lime is actually pretty good.

robert40 wrote:

hoppy2468 wrote:

recruited by Dave Thomas himself

To promote salads?

Really? That would be a neat trick.

Dave Thomas died in 2002.

That one made my day.

i was referring to when he originally worked there.

dansch wrote:

soltro79 wrote:He's promoting their fresh salads... it's not like he's promoting the double bacon classic or the twisted frosty. I'm really not quite sure why this is so strange.

Fresh, perhaps, but certainly not healthy.

Using my favorite health-o-meter, a Wendy's Baja, BLT Cobb, or Spicy Chicken Caesar Salad weighs in at roughly 1 KFC Double Down (fried) + 15 grams of fat + 200 calories + 500 mg salt (give or take, depending on the salad). The Apple Pecan Chicken Salad weighs in a bit lighter, at rough parity with just 1 fried double-down.

-Dan

I've never eaten at TRU... was it supposed to be a healthy eating experience?

Can someone explain why they care about this? Is it because you think RT is making a bad career move? Does it make you enjoy a meal that you had at Tru seem less enjoyable? Is it because RT isn't who you thought he was?

i have to say, after the top chef frozen scallops incident, and his attitude on that show in general, nothing surprises me about him... i wish I wouldn't have seen that show.

Not to belabor the point, but wasn't the Top Chef scallop thing a bit overblown? I thought one of the sponsors had supplied all of the product for the challenge with Tramonto not really knowing about it.

Anyway, I guess I'm just flat out disappointed. When Tramonto announced he was ending his relationship with Tru and had some other "exciting" project in the works I was looking forward to a new restaurant either here or somewhere else. To learn that he was just signing on as a spokesperson for Wendy's is just kind of a let down. Everyone's entitled to make a buck, it doesn't mean that I can't be disappointed in them (see James, LeBron).

jesteinf wrote:Anyway, I guess I'm just flat out disappointed. When Tramonto announced he was ending his relationship with Tru and had some other "exciting" project in the works I was looking forward to a new restaurant either here or somewhere else. To learn that he was just signing on as a spokesperson for Wendy's is just kind of a let down. Everyone's entitled to make a buck, it doesn't mean that I can't be disappointed in them (see James, LeBron).

Maybe the Wendy's thing is bringing in some cash to help him get his "exciting" project off the ground?

jesteinf wrote:Not to belabor the point, but wasn't the Top Chef scallop thing a bit overblown? I thought one of the sponsors had supplied all of the product for the challenge with Tramonto not really knowing about it.

Anyway, I guess I'm just flat out disappointed. When Tramonto announced he was ending his relationship with Tru and had some other "exciting" project in the works I was looking forward to a new restaurant either here or somewhere else. To learn that he was just signing on as a spokesperson for Wendy's is just kind of a let down. Everyone's entitled to make a buck, it doesn't mean that I can't be disappointed in them (see James, LeBron).

I don't think this is what he was referring to (although it wasn't likely that he would be doing it if he was still part of Tru/LEYE.

Well, it looks like there will be more than just Wendy's salads in Rick's future.

Via Twitter/Facebook:

OK everyone, we're getting close to making an announcement of my upcoming restaurants and plans...... Until then, I'm working with Wendy's on their new salads. That's my story and I'm stick'in to it!!!! Stay tuned........

Maybe he's opening a Sonic

dansch wrote:

soltro79 wrote:He's promoting their fresh salads... it's not like he's promoting the double bacon classic or the twisted frosty. I'm really not quite sure why this is so strange.

Fresh, perhaps, but certainly not healthy.

Using my favorite health-o-meter, a Wendy's Baja, BLT Cobb, or Spicy Chicken Caesar Salad weighs in at roughly 1 KFC Double Down (fried) + 15 grams of fat + 200 calories + 500 mg salt (give or take, depending on the salad). The Apple Pecan Chicken Salad weighs in a bit lighter, at rough parity with just 1 fried double-down.

-Dan

Don't forget my Bosses favorite....the Triple Baconator. I'm Very surprised he hasn't had a "Grabber"....Yet

jesteinf wrote:Well, it looks like there will be more than just Wendy's salads in Rick's future.

Via Twitter/Facebook:

OK everyone, we're getting close to making an announcement of my upcoming restaurants and plans...... Until then, I'm working with Wendy's on their new salads. That's my story and I'm stick'in to it!!!! Stay tuned........

Maybe he's opening a Sonic

Nope, opening a restaurant in New Orleans to be called R'evolution.

http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/ ... leans.html

Maybe he'll have a Popeye's out back.