Bar Owner Fulfills Extreme Wendy's Chili Bet After Golfer's Victory
On January 22, 2026, Larry Shea made a declaration that would change his eating habits for the next month. The 55-year-old bar owner from upstate New York boldly claimed on social media platform X that if professional golfer Scottie Scheffler won an upcoming PGA tournament, he would consume nothing but Wendy's chili for thirty-one consecutive days.
The Origin of an Unusual Wager
Shea's unusual bet originated from his skepticism about Scheffler's performance. "He never does when he starts this hot," Shea wrote in his initial post, adding "I guarantee it." When challenged about his certainty, Shea escalated his position by proposing the chili-only diet as his penalty if proven wrong.
"If Scottie Scheffler wins this week I will only eat Wendy's chili for a month. It's not happening folks. ZERO chance," Shea declared in his now-famous social media post.
When Predictions Go Wrong
Scheffler, widely regarded as one of golf's top players, did indeed win the tournament. True to his word, Shea began his chili-only regimen the following Monday. "I have no idea where Wendy's chili came from when I sent out the tweet," Shea later admitted. "And sure enough, the golf gods did not care for my attitude, and he won that week, which, being Scottie Scheffler, the greatest golfer alive, was a predictable thing."
The bar owner acknowledged his mistake with humor: "So it was idiotic, but a fun argument that I took too far. And once you say something, I am a big believer that you back it up."
The Physical Toll of a Monotonous Diet
Shea described the experience as "physical and mental torture." His previous Wendy's orders typically included chili alongside cheeseburgers and fries, but the bet restricted him to chili alone for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—without even crackers or cheese as accompaniments.
The nutritional impact was significant:
- Each large Wendy's chili contains approximately 370 calories
- Shea consumed about 1,400 milligrams of sodium daily from the chili
- He supplemented with 4 liters of water and black coffee each day
- He experienced bowel movements only twice weekly
Despite not intending to lose weight, Shea shed approximately 22 pounds during the month—roughly one pound per day. Medical experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, typically recommend weight loss of only 1-2 pounds per week for safety.
Corporate Attention and Public Reaction
Wendy's corporate team noticed Shea's unusual commitment and reached out on January 27 with a simple message: "So how's it going lol." The company provided Shea with free chili and encouragement throughout his challenge.
Capitalizing on the publicity, Wendy's announced they would offer a free small chili with any $5 purchase on February 26—National Chili Day.
Shea's regular customers at his bar, particularly college students, enjoyed teasing him about his predicament. "The attention has been fun, in part from the college kids who frequent my bar and like to call me an idiot," he noted.
Physical and Mental Effects
The extreme diet took a noticeable toll on Shea's energy levels and cognitive function. "But physically, I'm not even hungry anymore, as much as I'm just in a constant state of, like, 75% power," he reported. "The power of concentration, I've lost it. I'm dragging. I really got to motivate myself when I got stuff to do."
Shea developed a practical system for his chili consumption, purchasing nine bowls at a time because they "reheat really well." Despite making seven trips to the same Wendy's location, employees never recognized him as the man undertaking the unusual challenge.
Medical Considerations and Future Plans
Shea consulted a physician friend about his reduced bowel movements and was reassured that this was normal given his limited diet, as long as he experienced no stomach cramps or pain.
As the challenge approached its conclusion, Shea eagerly anticipated his first post-chili meal: a fried chicken sandwich from The Kitchen Counter, which he describes as the "best fried chicken sandwich in America."
Not Shea's First Unusual Bet
This wasn't Shea's first experience with unconventional wagers. Several years earlier, he promised to bet $5 for every social media like on a post about an obscure golfer he supported. That bet cost him approximately $6,500 when golfer Carl Yuan failed to perform as hoped.
"That was painful," Shea recalled, "but that said, you make a statement and..." His voice trailed off, suggesting that for Larry Shea, following through on bold declarations matters more than the consequences.
The Wendy's chili challenge, while extreme, demonstrates how social media interactions can escalate into real-world commitments with tangible physical effects. Shea's experience serves as both a cautionary tale about impulsive declarations and a testament to personal accountability in the digital age.
