America's second largest burger chain is coming back to Britain after two decades... vowing to take on McDonald’s and Burger King.
Wendy’s, famous for square burgers, plans up to 400 outlets nationwide creating at least 12,000 jobs, although that could take many years, it said.
McDonald’s has 1,300 UK outlets.
The firm, which has also agreed a delivery deal with Uber Eats, left the UK complaining of high operating costs.
A statement said: “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 No 2 player in the US hamburger market.”
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A typical Wendy’s has 30 to 50 staff. Wendy’s has also promised no zero-hours contracts in a sector much-criticised for its low pay and working conditions.
The first Wendy’s will open next month, in Reading, followed by Stratford and Oxford.
The company say prices will match those of their two main rivals.
The chain was founded in 1969 in Ohio by Dave Thomas and now has 6,800 outlets.
He named the restaurant after his fourth child Melinda Lou “Wendy” Thomas. It is listed on Wall Street with a valuation of £3.6billion.
Its menu includes the “baconater” and a pretzel bacon pub cheeseburger. The UK menu will feature more vegetarian options.
Wendy’s left the UK in 2001, citing property costs and other overheads that made expansion unviable.
