Wendy's

A Wendy's restaurant in Japan

Wendy's Company

Type	Public company
Traded as	NYSE: WEN
Founded	November 15, 1969
Headquarters	Dublin, Ohio
Key people	Todd Penegor (President and CEO)
Industry	Fast food
Products	Hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, french fries, breakfast items, Frosty desserts
Revenue	US$1.74 billion (2020)
Operating income	US$277.5 million (2020)
Net income	US$127.3 million (2020)
Assets	US$3.15 billion (2020)
Equity	US$−2.12 billion (2020)
Employees	20,000 (2020)
Website	[www.wendys.com Official website]

Wendy's location in Queens, New York

Wendy's is a major American fast food restaurant chain best known for its square hamburgers, sea salt fries, and signature Frosty dessert. Founded by Dave Thomas on November 15, 1969, in Columbus, Ohio, Wendy’s has grown into one of the world’s largest quick-service restaurant chains, operating more than 6,700 locations globally as of 2020.

History

Wendy’s was established in 1969 by Dave Thomas, who named the restaurant after his daughter Melinda Lou, nicknamed "Wendy." The first location opened in Columbus, Ohio. Wendy’s quickly became known for its fresh, never frozen beef and its unique square-shaped hamburgers that hang over the bun edges.

By the late 1970s, Wendy’s introduced its "old-fashioned" image and popularized its value menu and drive-thru service. The company gained further cultural relevance in 1984 with the viral advertising slogan, "Where's the beef?"

In 2008, Wendy’s merged with Triarc Companies Inc., which also owned Arby’s, to form The Wendy’s/Arby’s Group. The group later sold Arby’s and renamed itself The Wendy’s Company.

Menu

Wendy’s menu includes:

• Hamburgers and cheeseburgers (e.g., Dave's Single, Baconator)
• Chicken sandwiches (grilled, spicy, and crispy)
• Salads (e.g., Southwest Avocado Chicken Salad)
• French fries (with sea salt)
• Baked potatoes and chili
• Frosty desserts
• Breakfast items (e.g., croissant sandwiches, seasoned potatoes)

Wendy’s is known for customizing its menu based on regional preferences and seasonal items.

Global presence

Wendy's operates in multiple countries across North America, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the Caribbean. International expansion continues through franchising efforts, although growth has faced challenges in some markets.

Corporate affairs

The Wendy’s Company is headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. It is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WEN. Todd Penegor serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer.

Branding and advertising

Wendy’s branding features a red-haired girl inspired by Dave Thomas’s daughter. Its advertising has focused on freshness, quality ingredients, and humor. Campaigns such as "Where’s the beef?" and Wendy’s snarky Twitter presence have reinforced the brand’s cultural appeal.

See also

• Fast food
• Dave Thomas (businessman)
• Frosty
• List of hamburger restaurants
• Burger King
• McDonald's
• Arby's

External links

• Official website
• Wendy’s Investor Relations