To celebrate World Redhead Day on Tuesday, May 26, Wendy‘s is honoring its redheaded roots by calling on brand fans to join a look-alike contest in the heart of New York City.
The coveted grand prize will be free Dave’s Single® hamburgers for a year.* The event will also include music, giveaways, photo ops, and special surprises along the way! It’s a can’t miss contest that’s sure to draw a crowd – and a sea of redheads.
The Wendy’s look-alike contest will go down at Seaport Square in NYC (19 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038) on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Check-in for the contest begins at 3:30 PM ET, with the contest occurring from 4:15-5:30 PM ET.
Why is Wendy’s doing a look-alike contest? Good thing you asked:
Redheads make up just 4% of the U.S. population, but they’re impossible to miss. They bring a bold, unmistakable energy that turns heads and leaves an impression –- the kind of presence Wendy’s has always admired and recognized as part of its own story. Since 1969, Wendy’s has leaned into what makes it different, and World Redhead Day is a moment that reflects that same mindset: one that celebrates being unforgettable instead of blending in. The look-alike contest brings that idea to life in a way that is social, visual, and fun – a live celebration of the people, personality, and spirit that make redheads, and Wendy’s, impossible to forget.
This is how the contest will go down:
- Round 1: Contestants take the stage showcasing their best Wendy’s look.
- Round 2: Contestants prepare and read aloud their best social media worthy post channeling the brand’s witty, playful tone for National Hamburger Day (Thursday, 5/28).
- Round 3: Top 3-5 finalists perform an original, Wendy’s-style commercial with crowd applause and judge scores determining the ultimate winner of the grand prize.