Wendy's says its fries beat McDonald's in national taste test

Wendy's is boasting that its fries beat McDonald's in a national survey. In a blind taste tests in eight cities, 56 percent of consumers taking the test chose Wendy's, McDonald's received 39 percent of the votes and four percent of respondents had no preference.

Wendy's, part of Atlanta-based Wendy's/Arby's Group, acknowledges that it has never had a national reputation for great-tasting fries. In November, it introduced new "natural-cut" fries with sea salt and the skin left on. Wendy's said its fry sales rose 16 percent during the national media campaign in December.

"We're taking on the giant," said Ken Calwell, chief marketing officer at Wendy's, referring to McDonald's. "Consumers are noticing we have completely new French fries, and we're thrilled with the early results."