# The Wendy's Company

> The Wendy's Company is the Dublin, Ohio-based public company behind Wendy's, a global quick-service restaurant system known for made-to-order square hamburgers, fresh beef in selected markets, chicken sandwiches, Frosty desserts and a pointed social-media voice. Its predominantly franchised model turns restaurant sales into royalties, rent and fees while franchise operators supply most of the capital and labor. The company serves value-conscious diners through more than 7,000 restaurants and digital channels, and in 2026 is balancing an international expansion push with a U.S. turnaround focused on stronger operations, everyday value and restaurant modernization.

- **Founded:** 1969
- **Headquarters:** Dublin, Ohio, United States
- **Founders:** Dave Thomas (Founder)
- **Team size:** Approximately 15,000 company employees based on supplied company data; Wendy's and its franchisees together employ hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.
- **Products:** Made-to-order hamburgers, Frosty, Drive-thru service, Chicken, nuggets and salads, Baconator
- **Notable:** Grew from one Columbus restaurant in 1969 to a system of more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide., Introduced its Pick-Up Window in 1970, an early form of the modern drive-thru., Built durable signature products including the Frosty, Spicy Chicken Sandwich and Baconator.

## Products & services

- **Made-to-order hamburgers** — Square hamburgers prepared to order, using fresh beef in the contiguous U.S., Alaska, Canada and selected international markets.
- **Frosty** — A spoonable frozen dairy dessert and recurring platform for flavors, promotions, loyalty and adoption fundraising.
- **Drive-thru service** — The chain introduced its modern Pick-Up Window format and now serves convenience-led customers across drive-thru, pickup and delivery.
- **Chicken, nuggets and salads** — A broad lunch and dinner lineup led by chicken sandwiches, nuggets and portable salads; the Spicy Chicken Sandwich became permanent in 1996.
- **Baconator** — A premium bacon cheeseburger that became one of Wendy's best-known named menu items.
- **Breakfast** — Biscuits, croissants, breakfast sandwiches, seasoned potatoes, coffee and the Breakfast Baconator, launched nationally in the U.S. in 2020.
- **Wendy's app and Rewards** — Mobile ordering, delivery, offers and points-based loyalty designed to increase convenience, frequency and customer data.
- **Franchise opportunities** — Restaurant development rights, operating systems, training, supply-chain support and brand marketing for qualified operators.

## Achievements

- Grew from one Columbus restaurant in 1969 to a system of more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide.
- Introduced its Pick-Up Window in 1970, an early form of the modern drive-thru.
- Built durable signature products including the Frosty, Spicy Chicken Sandwich and Baconator.
- Created a widely imitated social-media voice known for direct, playful exchanges with customers and competitors.
- Wendy's and its customers have raised more than $343 million for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, according to a 2025 company post.
- Added 157 net new restaurants in 2025, taking annual net unit growth to 2.2% despite weakness in the U.S. business.
- Entered a 2026 franchise agreement intended to build up to 1,000 restaurants in China over ten years.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Second-quarter reporting showed continued pressure on U.S. traffic; management reduced the quarterly dividend and withdrew its prior full-year outlook while CEO Bob Wright developed a broader turnaround plan.
- **2026-05** — Robert D. 'Bob' Wright, a former Wendy's chief operating officer and former Potbelly CEO, became president and CEO.
- **2026-05** — Wendy's announced a franchise agreement to build up to 1,000 restaurants across China over ten years.
- **2026-02** — The company said 2025 global systemwide sales were $14.0 billion and outlined closures of underperforming U.S. restaurants alongside an everyday-value push.
- **2026-01** — Wendy's introduced a permanent Biggie Deals menu with price tiers beginning at $4.
- **2025-12** — The employee-led Community Giving Program announced donations to 22 organizations across the U.S., Aruba, Canada and the U.K.

## Links

- Website: https://www.wendys.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wendys-international
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/Wendys
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Wendys
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendys/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendys/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wendys

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Last updated: 2026-08-12