Move over McDonald’s and Burger King! US fast-food chain Wendy’s is opening FIFTY more restaurants in UK as it accelerates its expansion after successful relaunch
- Wendy’s confirms plans to open 50 new restaurants across the UK next year
- Third largest burger chain in the world closed its last British store in 1999
- Fast food giant hopes to create 12,000 new jobs across 400 different branches
US burger chain Wendy’s has revealed plans to open 50 new sites across Britain in 2022 as its successful UK relaunch continues.
The world’s third largest burger chain, with more than 6,900 branches across 30 countries, said it was seeking franchise partners amid plans for further launches in mainland Europe.
Wendy’s opened five new restaurants in the UK this year, with sites in Reading, Stratford, Oxford, Croydon and Romford proving so popular they exceeded the business’ expectations with revenues exceeding £40,000-a-week.
The American-based fast food giant also launched five mobile kitchens in the capital to work with delivery partners on food platforms Deliveroo and Uber Eats.
Wendy’s last had a restaurant in the UK in 1999, but returned to its American roots over cost complaints and amid a fierce battle with McDonald’s and Burger King.
US burger chain Wendy’s has revealed plans to open 50 new sites across the country in 2022 as its successful UK relaunch continues
Wendy’s opened five new restaurants in the UK this year, with sites in Reading, Stratford, Oxford, Croydon and Romford proving so popular they exceeded the business’ expectations with revenues exceeding £40,000-a-week
Customers enjoy the new Wendy’s that opened in Stratford, London in August 2021
Abigail Pringle, Wendy’s chief development officer, said sales have proven so popular they intend to expand further.
She explained: ‘We have seen incredible success that outperformed our expectations, and it’s clear to us that customers are loving our fresh, high-quality food.’
Wendy’s ambitious British relaunch has seen targets increase from previous plans, where just 10 new outlets were pencilled in for a 2022 opening, according to the FT.
The burger giant also has eyes on moving into Europe, with prospective launches in France, Germany and Spain all mooted by the company.
New locations planned for next year include Brighton, the Midlands and discussions are ongoing with franchise partners in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Paul Hilder, Wendy’s managing director for the UK and Canada, said: ‘We’re in the final stages of discussions with two traditional franchise partners who will help the brand cross the Midlands and the North of England, and we have a very strong pipeline of franchise candidates beyond that.’
The company said in May: ‘The UK launch will spearhead a European-wide expansion as Wendy’s looks to build on strong growth on the other side of the Atlantic, where the brand last year dethroned Burger King to become the number two player in the US hamburger market.’
Wendy’s last had a restaurant in the UK in 1999, but returned to its American roots over cost complaints and amid a fierce battle with McDonald’s and Burger King
The company said the new restaurants in the UK could create up to 12,000 new jobs.
The last two decades has been a roaring success for US fast food joints in the UK.
Five Guys, which first opened in the UK in 2013, now has 95 restaurants with three more set to open this year.
Shake Shack also opened it’s first restaurant in London in 2013 and now has 19 locations in the UK.
Wendy’s was founded by Dave Thomas in Ohio, 1969 and has a market value of approximately £3.6billion.
Source: Read Full Article