DUBLIN Ohio A former Wendy's executive has come out of retirement to rejoin the company as its chief of North American operations. Steve Farrar, 57, will take up the newly created post on April 14, Wendy's said.
Farrar had worked as senior vice president of the western wregion for franchisor Wendy's International Inc. from 1992 until 2006, when he opted to take an early retirement package from the company. He was among several executives who left at that time as Wendy's sought to cut corporate costs by $100 million in a turnaround bid.
In his new role, Farrar will oversee restaurant operations at company and franchised units in the United States and Canada. He will report to chief operations officer Dave Near.
His appointment is the latest change in Wendy's executive ranks as the company says it is nearing the end of its strategic review. Jonathan F. Catherwood, executive vice president of mergers and acquisitions, and Jeffrey M. Cava, executive vice president of human resources, both recently said they would be leaving the company on May 3. In addition, Wendy's has yet to name a permanent replacement for chief marketing officer Ian Rowden, who left the company in December.
