Wendy’s Prototype Shows Off Open Kitchen

Wendy’s is moving back to its original Dublin, Ohio, headquarters, and testing four new restaurant designs in four American cities. Two new units in nearby Columbus are among the prototypes. “These new remodels are part of a multi-year strategy to reinvigorate our brand and the way our customers interact with us,” according to David Karam, president-North America. All four building styles were designed by Tesser, a San Francisco-based brand strategy and retail design firm.

Through nationwide research, Wendy’s heard from customers complaining that some of its restaurants were getting dated, Karam said. “They also said they’d like to see our fresh food preparation and they want more comfort in our dining areas.”

In response, the sleek, modern prototype’s interior provides customers with a more open view of food prep behind the counter. Its multiple seating options include booths, two-top and high-top tables, and a lounge with fireplace. The restaurant has a new customer ordering process, refrigerated display cases for bottled beverages and baked goods, digital menu boards, and a few test products only offered in these restaurants. Beverage service includes coffee made with fresh-roasted beans and Coca-Cola Freestyle machines that dispense 129 beverage varieties.