I worked at a Wendy's many years ago. This is where and how the chili meat comes from: Wendy's doesn't make a burger before it is ordered and they try to project how many cooked and ready hamburger patties they have at any time. So, it is common that a burger patty will become too cooked to be used in a burger. These overcooked patties are kept. Then, they are chopped into bits and boiled. The overcooked and burnt meat ends up floating to the top, but the good usable meat sinks to the bottom. They basically remove the not good stuff on the top and use the good meat for their chili. I think it is actually a rather good, clever, and ingenious idea. Despite what one may think of the idea, the process produces meat that is unspoiled and safe to eat. Probably pretty bland tasting before it gets put into the chili. But I think it's a pretty clever idea. I eat their chili regularly when in the mood. Regardless, I prefer a terlingua style chili (Wolf Brand Chili from Texas is a good example) free of beans and tomatoes!
Good grief, I'd have to plan my rest stops around that meal. I wouldn't make any money, and who knows WHAT was on that toilet before me. Bag of jelly beans and a thermos of coffee, and one good steak and eggs meal from the Pine Cone a day. I swear, I wouldn't eat fast food today if it was the last meal on the planet and I used to live on double Whoppers. And it costs a fortune. Food stores and a 12V cooler today are your best bet. And now, this "meatless" crap,,,I don't know where to start there,,