Wendy's
Last inspected: Mar 4, 2026
90
Score
Across the available record, Wendy's has 10 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 4, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around six violations each, up from closer to one violation before.
When inspectors have written things up, “accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine next” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.
Restaurants in Clearwater average 79, so Wendy's is doing better than most peers. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 4, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda fountain dispenser on left side of self serve area accumulated with slime like substance. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-04: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
90
Feb 24, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda fountain dispenser on left side of self serve area accumulated with slime like substance. **Warning**
22-02-4
Basic - Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. Dish machine takes over an hour to start working. Operator unable to use dishwasher and set up 3CS. Operator using quaternary 3CS to wash dishes measuring 200ppm. Operator stated they placed a work order in to get machine fixed.**Corrective Action Taken** **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
16-55-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine next to 3CS in back. **Warning**
16-21-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Plastic pans over 2 compartment sink wet nesting. **Warning**
24-08-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Blodgett oven accumulated with food debris on cookline next to fry station. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in freezer gaskets under hot holding fry station soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. Broken ice cream machine in dumpster area. **Warning**
33-31-5
67
Oct 6, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found Observed 2 flying inspects near reach in cooler that is not in use. Operator began to try to remove flies. **Corrective Action Taken**
35A-02-7
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed boxes of coffee cups on floor. Operator placed boxes on racks to move them off floor **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Freezer soiled with build up of food debris.
22-16-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach-in freezer near fry station gasket soiled with food debris.
23-03-4
Basic - Interior of oven has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Emailed to operator and operator printed and posted at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
51-13-4
58
Feb 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Cook pulled up pants on cook line then touched raw hamburger containers. Instructed to wash hands. Employee wash hands.
12A-28-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
82
Aug 13, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 1, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 28, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler near lemonade shredded cheese (49F - Cold Holding); blue cheese (49F - Cold Holding); egg (45F - Cold Holding) Manager out in reach in cooler. Small Sour cream at line 47 degrees Fahrenheit cold holding. Manager threw away 2 lbs Retemp- shredded cheese (43F - Cold Holding); blue cheese (43F - Cold Holding); egg (43F - Cold Holding) **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Small Sour cream at line 47 degrees Fahrenheit cold holding. Manager threw away 2 lbs. manager can't determine when sour cream was put in reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed dishwasher chlorine at 0 ppm. Manager changed sanitizer.
22-41-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
16-03-4
61
Oct 5, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - ready-to-eat food used for multiple menu items, some of which will not be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Employee touched chicken nuggets with bare hands then continued to put chicken nuggets in box for immediate service. Educated manager. Manager tossed the chicken nuggets and spoke with employee. **Corrective Action Taken**
09-19-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cleaned dishes on drying rack with visible signs of wet nesting. Manager moved. **Corrected On-Site**
24-08-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Handle of scoop touching blue cheese crumbles. Manger moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-06-5
74
Apr 17, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 9 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food reheated for hot holding not reaching 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds within 2 hours. Steam table at front line: Chili at 9:20 started reheating at 7:22 114 degrees F re-temp at 9:25 119 degrees F. Employees stirred chili a few times. Re-temp: 165 degrees F Steam table near back prep area: chili at 9:33 started reheating at 9:38 109 degrees F re-temp at 9:40 150 degrees F Chili at 9:20 started reheating at 7:22 114 degrees F re-temp at 9:25 119 degrees F. Employee stirred chili a few times. re-temp: 167 degrees F **Corrected On-Site**
03E-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Single door reach-in cooler next to flat tops: raw shell eggs 48 degrees F, raw beef patty 44 degrees F. Lid left off the top of container. Re-temps: raw shell eggs 44 degrees F, raw beef patty 42 degrees F Sliding drawer reach-in cooler next to soda fountain of drive through: half and half creamer container 58 degrees F. Re-temp: 43 degrees F Back prep area: Raw bacon 51 degrees F. On sheet pans and in original packaging. Sitting out since start of inspection over an hour ago. Operator moved to walk-in cooler. Re-temp: 43 degrees F Front line: chocolate shake mix 48 degrees F. Operator moved to walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Manager unable to name the big 6 foodborne illnesses
11-07-5
Intermediate - Certified food manager unable to answer basic questions about allergens. Certified food manager unable to name the 9 major food allergens
53A-16-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Fryer basket with burnt food debris
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink not functioning appropriately due to sensor. Operator stated that she is unaware of when repairs will be completed
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
11-26-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Handwash sink of front line next to smoothie station
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Non-service animals permitted in the premises of the establishment. Customer had a dog in hand when ordering and waiting for breakfast sandwich. Per operator they allow service animals but have no procedure in place for verifying that they are service animals. Customer left after receiving order **Corrected On-Site**
35A-22-5
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. 1 out of 5 food food handlers missing training
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Handwash sink of front line next to shake station has water shut off
27-16-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. 1 food handler with no beard guard
13-04-4
Basic - Food-contact surface not smooth and easily cleanable. Soda nozzle at fountain next to drive through window has chip on it.
14-13-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Handle of scooper touching Bleu cheese crumbles
10-06-5
25
Sep 1, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - -Employee touched handle of dish machine then began prepping salad without washing hands -employee at cooks line touched clothes then began prepping food during time of inspection. Discussed proper hand washing procedures during time of inspection.
12A-13-4
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. -Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm) Discussed putting up an out of order sign on dish machine and using three compartment sink until dish machine is fixed during time of inspection. **Repeat Violation**
22-41-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. -hand sink at front counter
31B-03-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. -wall at cooks line has accumulation of grease
36-27-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. -squeeze bottle next to microwave
02D-01-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. -employee prepping burgers at front counter
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. -plastic containers at prep sink in kitchen **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. -bucket with food items on floor in walk-in freezer
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer at drive-thru
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -sides of fryer have accumulation of grease -corners of hot holding station have accumulation of grease
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. -coffee filters at front counter by cash register **Repeat Violation**
25-05-4
45
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Wendy's last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Wendy's on file is from Mar 4, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Wendy's?
Across the inspection record, “accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine next” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Wendy's.
How does Wendy's compare to other restaurants in Clearwater?
Wendy's most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Clearwater average of 79.
Has Wendy's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Wendy's have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Wendy's means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Wendy's inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Wendy's is inspected around three times per year on average.
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