DUBLIN, Ohio, June 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wendy's Company
(NASDAQ: WEN) today announced its upcoming entry into Brazil, with plans for significant restaurant
expansion over time. This growth will be driven through Wendy's
Brazil, a joint venture formed in
2015 between affiliates of Infinity Services and Starboard, one of
Wendy's® largest U.S. franchisees, and a subsidiary of
The Wendy's Company.
Wendy's Brazil plans to hold
the grand opening in mid-July for two restaurants in São Paulo.
Based in São Paulo, Infinity Services has successfully brought
several well-known restaurant brands to Brazil in recent years. Starboard, led by
veteran Wendy's franchisee Andrew
Levy, Chief Executive Officer, and Marcos Silva, President, operates 182 Wendy's
restaurants in nine states.
"We choose São Paulo for the Wendy's introduction because it is
the main financial and gastronomic capital of the country," said
Marcel Gholmieh, Chief Executive
Officer, Wendy's Brazil and
Infinity Services. "Our initial objective is to create flagship
restaurant locations, establish the Wendy's brand and then,
longer-term, start thinking about potential partnerships with local
groups in other areas of Brazil."
"We are pleased to partner with two highly capable operators who
have a growth mindset, proven restaurant experience and a strong
customer focuses," said Bob Wright,
Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer and
International, The Wendy's Company. "We believe this joint
collaboration will provide a springboard for growth. Starboard has
a deep knowledge of Wendy's operations and what it takes to run a
successful Wendy's restaurant, while Infinity Services is immersed
in the Brazilian market and culture.
"Brazil is one of the key
global markets where we see considerable potential, and where we
are investing additional energy and resources as part of our
'narrow and deep' international strategy. From the start, we
want to ensure our restaurants in Brazil truly stand out in the minds of
consumers in terms of food, service and atmosphere, and that we
give them 'a cut above' experience they will be excited to tell
others about."
About The Wendy's Company
The Wendy's Company is the world's third-largest quick-service
hamburger company. The Wendy's system includes approximately 6,500
franchise and Company-operated restaurants in the United States and 28 countries and U.S.
territories worldwide. For more information, visit
www.aboutwendys.com.
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SOURCE The Wendy's Company