Wendy’s returning to the UK and plans to open 400 stores after 20 years

Wendy’s is making a comeback in the U.K. after a 20-year absence. The burger joint already opened in the United Kingdom but ceased operations, and now it is officially returning.

Wendy’s will try again to make it in the British market, and it will go big with its second launch. The American fast-food chain was reported to be planning to open 400 stores, and eventually, it will create at least 12,000 jobs.

Wendy’s European expansion

As per Bloomberg, this will mark Wendy’s expansion in the European market. Then again, it was explained that the 400 stores will not be set up at the same time, but these will be built one by one over the coming years. This information was said to have been revealed by the company’s head of international operations, Abigal Pringle.

Apparently, Wendy’s first attempt to enter the U.K. market was not successful and with this re-launched after two decades, the company is anticipating a different result this time. Pringle admitted that the company failed in its initial attempt. “The U.S. business was not in a strong position, we were not healthy, we weren’t growing in strength,” she said.

The plan for the expansion in British soil is, to start with company-owned stores and later on, it will follow the franchise model. In this way, the outlets will keep adding up until most regions in the U.K. will have access to a Wendy’s store.

Wendy’s aiming to rival Burger King and McDonald’s

In any case, it was reported that since McDonald’s and Burger King are doing well in the United Kingdom, one of its aims for the comeback is to compete with the said fast-foods. Both companies are already Wendy’s rivals in many countries anyway so the competition is now reaching Britain too.

The Mirror reported that Wendy’s vowed to take on its fiercest rivals - Burger King and McDonald’s in the U.K. Meanwhile, it was predicted that the Britons will crave the burger joint’s Frosty desserts and Baconators that feature the unique square beef patties that the company is known for. The first Wendy’s restaurant in the U.K. will open on June 2 in Reading and four more locations will follow, including an outlet in Stratford and Oxford.