Wendy’s Plans To Add 1,000 New Locations

Wendy’s, already planning to hit a nine-year high in new-store openings this year with 80 new outlets, is going even bigger. The 6,500-unit chain has unveiled plans to boost its store count by adding 1,000 new locations by the end of 2020. The Dublin, Ohio, chain’s five-year plan would boost its total number of stores by 15%.

Wendy’s projected count doesn’t include any potential store closures. The overwhelming majority of these new outposts will be operated by franchisees, who will be required to build most of the new restaurants using the “Image Activation” designs that Wendy’s began developing in 2011. The company aims to have 60% of the system remodeled by 2020. Executives said franchisees will have plenty of incentive to add locations.

Chain executives said during a June 3 conference call that they expect to sell 280 units to franchisees by early in the fourth quarter and another 260 locations by mid-2016. Ultimately, the chain will operate 315 restaurants or about 5% of its units.