Wendy's Plans 1,000 New Stores by 2028
Wendy's announced plans to add 1,000 new restaurants globally by 2028, aiming to grow its worldwide presence to between 8,100 and 8,300 total locations.
The Dublin, Ohio-based company is building on recent momentum. In 2024, Wendy's opened 276 units globally, with international markets driving significant growth.
"Internationally, we achieved 11% system-wide sales growth on a constant currency basis led by strong net unit growth," said Kirk Tanner, president and CEO of Wendy's, during the company's Q4 earnings call.
The fast-food giant expects to maintain this pace in the near future. "We expect to open between 150 and 200 new units in 2025. About two-thirds of those will come from international markets," Tanner added.
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If this split remains consistent, Wendy's would add roughly 330 new U.S. locations and 660 abroad over the next few years.
The expansion strategy involves more than just building restaurants. Wendy's plans to invest in technology and operational improvements to enhance customer experience.
"In order to execute on our strategy, we are investing in building new restaurants around the globe and deploying technology that will enhance the customer experience and increase restaurant profitability," said Ken Cook, Wendy's chief financial officer who joined in December.
This growth target represents a shift from earlier goals. In 2021, Wendy's had projected 8,500 to 9,000 units by 2025, which relied heavily on ghost kitchens through Reef Technology. After abandoning that model, the company pivoted to its Global Next Gen prototype featuring lower construction costs and streamlined operations.
"The Wendy's brand has tremendous strength, and we will unlock its full potential, scaling our system to match the power of our brand," Tanner said.
Wendy's isn't alone in its global ambitions. Competitor Taco Bell recently announced plans to triple its international store count by the end of the decade.
