Wendy’s Completes System Slimdown

Dublin, Ohio-based Wendy’s has wrapped up its System Optimization initiative, launched in July 2013, with the sale of 104 restaurants to franchisees in Albuquerque, Los Angeles/Palm Springs, Phoenix and Hawaii. In total, Wendy’s has sold 418 company-operated restaurants concentrated in 13 U.S. markets, primarily in the West. The purchase agreements include commitments to reimage about 180 stores in Wendy’s contemporary Image Activation design, as well as development plans for about 100 new restaurants. Wendy’s now operates about 1,000 restaurants in the United States and Canada, comprising approximately 15% of its 6,500 total restaurants.