Wendy’s Company will return its headquarters to Dublin, Ohio, from Atlanta, and will spend $11 million to renovate its 35-year-old Dublin office complex over the next two years, said Wendy’s chief executive Roland Smith.
“This multi-million-dollar transformation of the facility will make it into a modern corporate office and will signal an exciting new day for the Wendy’s Company,” Smith said at press conference.
Wendy’s will move 50 executive positions from Atlanta back to Dublin. The posts were moved to Atlanta when Triarc Companies Inc. acquired the quick-service chain in 2008.
Wendy’s plans to upgrade the main entrance to the lobby; transform the front of the building; create a contemporary lobby for employees, franchisees and suppliers; build a new employee break room; and create a new employee meeting room for 600–700 people, Smith said.
A new fitness center will also be built for employees, Smith said, sparking applause from the crowd.
RELATED: Wendy's separation from Arby's official
Smith was joined by Ohio Governor John Kasich, who praised Wendy’s return to the state.
“The city of Dublin says, ‘Welcome home,’” Dublin Mayor Tim Lecklider said. “Though I have to say, from the city of Dublin’s point of view, Wendy’s has never left.”
The Wendy's Company is the third largest quick-service hamburger company in the United States. The subsidiary Wendy's International, Inc. is the franchisor of the Wendy's restaurant system. The chain has more than 6,500 restaurants in the U.S. and 25 countries and U.S. territories worldwide.
Click to watch a press conference of the announcement.
Contact Alan Snel at [email protected].
Follow him on Twitter: @alansnelnrn