WENDY'S, DAVE'S Hot 'N Juicy 1/4 LB, single
Whole food · Fast Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
Wendy's Dave's Hot 'N Juicy 1/4 LB single is a classic American fast-food hamburger featuring a quarter-pound beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and ketchup on a toasted bun. The taste is a savory, umami-rich experience with a juicy, slightly charred beef patty, creamy melted cheese, and crisp, fresh vegetable toppings that provide a satisfying textural contrast. Nutritionally, it's a calorie-dense meal with a solid protein base, but it's also high in fat and sodium.
Calorie split: 20% protein · 26% carbs · 53% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love this burger for its reliable, craveable combination of salty, savory, and tangy flavors, and the satisfying heft of the beef patty. It represents a quintessential American fast-food experience, offering comfort and convenience in a familiar package.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The burger is high in sodium, saturated fat, and refined carbohydrates, which can contribute to blood-sugar spikes and may not be suitable for those monitoring heart health or blood pressure. To counteract, consider pairing it with a side salad instead of fries, opting for a single patty, and drinking water to help manage sodium intake.
Key benefits
- Good source of complete protein for muscle maintenance.
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates.
- Contains fresh vegetable toppings like lettuce and tomato.
- Satisfying and convenient for a quick meal.
- A familiar and consistent flavor profile.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'Dave's Hot 'N Juicy' line was originally named 'Dave's Single' and 'Dave's Double' after Wendy's founder, Dave Thomas, but was rebranded in 2011 to emphasize the burger's juiciness and heat.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 50.9 g |
| Energy | 268 kcal |
| Energy | 1121 kj |
| Protein | 13.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 15.8 g |
| Ash | 1.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 17.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.1 g |
| Total Sugars | 4.5 g |
| Sucrose | 0.00 g |
| Glucose | 1.6 g |
| Fructose | 2.1 g |
| Lactose | 0.37 g |
| Maltose | 0.40 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 12.6 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 73.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.3 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 18.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 125 mg |
| Potassium, K | 208 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 473 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.3 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.19 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 16.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.1 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.18 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.26 mg |
| Niacin | 3.1 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.76 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.19 mg |
| Choline, total | 36.8 mg |
| Betaine | 17.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.93 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 50.0 ug |
| Retinol | 44.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 64.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 2.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 256 iu |
| Lycopene | 208 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 41.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.57 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.07 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 1.8 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.76 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.02 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.01 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 5.7 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.56 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 3.0 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.12 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.5 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 5.4 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.10 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.34 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.29 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.08 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.8 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 4.3 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 1.9 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.25 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.24 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.63 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.55 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.04 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.51 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.08 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.08 g |
| Cholesterol | 51.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.14 g |
| Threonine | 0.52 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.49 g |
| Leucine | 1.0 g |
| Lysine | 1.0 g |
| Methionine | 0.29 g |
| Cystine | 0.21 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.56 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.41 g |
| Valine | 0.57 g |
| Arginine | 0.75 g |
| Histidine | 0.36 g |
| Alanine | 0.69 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.98 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.8 g |
| Glycine | 0.83 g |
| Proline | 1.3 g |
| Serine | 0.59 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.20 g |
FAQ
Is this burger a good source of protein?
Yes, it provides a substantial amount of protein (around 27g for the full burger), which is beneficial for muscle repair and satiety.
How does it compare nutritionally to other fast-food burgers?
It's a mid-range option in terms of calories and fat. Its sodium content is notably high, which is common in fast food, so it's best enjoyed as an occasional treat.
Can I make a healthier version at home?
Absolutely. Use lean ground beef or a turkey patty, a whole-wheat bun, load up on extra lettuce, tomato, and onion, and skip the high-sugar ketchup for mustard or salsa.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.68 kcal/g · 20% calories from protein · 1.1 g fiber · 4.5 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.27 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.