There are not many signs at fast food chains that can prompt a double-take, but the unique, and often times hilarious, signs posted in front of the Wendy’s in Albertville, Alabama, can -- and probably have, many times.
Russell Johnson, the creator of the signs and general manager of the Albertville Wendy’s, said he first got the idea to start putting up the signs in 2020 during the pandemic, thinking that, at worst, it’d give everyone a laugh and, at best, it’d help the restaurant stay afloat during such uncertain times.
A roadside sign created by Russell Johnson at the Wendy's location in Albertville, Ala.Russell Johnson
“No business knew if they were going to survive, so I said we’re just going to do everything we can to stay open,” said Johnson. “I started doing the signs -- which normally they would never allow you to do something like that -- just trying to get people laughing and cheer everybody up and cheer myself up too. It was a bizarre time, so I just thought it’d be a good thing to be as goofy as we could possibly be. "
Since then, more than 100 signs featuring Johnson’s amusing and sometimes wacky messages have been posted in front of the fast-food chain. Topics have ranged from football game results to politics to poking fun at other restaurants nearby as well as its own menu offerings. In addition, Johnson has also used the sign to promote local businesses and community members.
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A roadside sign created by Russell Johnson at the Wendy's location in Albertville, Ala.Russell Johnson
While these days, the Wendy’s signs have become something many look forward to reading, that wasn’t necessarily the case at first.
“People hadn’t seen anything like that. They’re used to seeing the normal stuff. So in the beginning, we’d get some complaints about it, but that has completely stopped now because they know our hearts are in the right place. We make fun of everybody -- ourselves, other restaurants, and everybody gets it now. It’s really grown in popularity.”
A roadside sign created by Russell Johnson at the Wendy's location in Albertville, Ala.Russell Johnson
Johnson said he tries not to be impulsive with what he puts up so that he can make sure he has the wording just right, and, at any given time, he usually has about 10 ideas for the sign he’s mulling over.
That said, no sign makes it up without the approval of his assistant manager, Victoria Grimes.
“She’s way younger than me, but believe it or not, she will flat out tell me ‘that can not go up,’” said Johnson. “If it wasn’t for her, I’d probably be fired. She filters them, and when we both agree, that’s when I put it up.”
Johnson said he can’t even remember what the first sign he put up said, but he can tell you which one was his favorite.
“It said ‘Willie Nelson just turned 90. To keep our customers alive longer, we now sell Frosty’s by the pot,” Johnson said. “I played with that sign for six months, and Victoria would say no, no, no until I finally got that play on words.”
To find out what play on words Johnson puts up next, you can follow his Facebook page, where he shares photos of each sign.
A roadside sign created by Russell Johnson at the Wendy's location in Albertville, Ala.Russell Johnson