The Wendy’s Co. has named Abigail Pringle to the newly created role of president U.S. and E.J. Wunsch as president international, effective June 17, the company said Thursday.
The Dublin, Ohio-based burger brand made the changes under new CEO Kirk Tanner, who assumed the role in February.
Pringle has served as president international and chief development officer since 2019. She joined the company in 2002.
Wunsch has served as chief legal officer since joining Wendy’s in 2016. Prior to Wendy's, Wunsch oversaw a legal portfolio with The Procter & Gamble Co., including four years stationed in Singapore with responsibility throughout Asia.
As president U.S., Pringle will oversee all aspects of the Wendy's U.S. business, which includes more than 6,000 company-operated and franchised restaurants. Wunsch will assume similar accountability for the Wendy's International business across 33 countries and U.S. territories.
"Since joining Wendy's earlier this year, I've carefully reviewed our business strategy and structure and believe dedicated presidents for our U.S. and international business segments alongside our global centers of excellence will help us accelerate our growth in same-restaurant sales, digital, and new restaurant development even faster," said Tanner in a statement.
"I believe having one leader with clear accountability for development and operational performance in both the U.S. and International businesses, along with a singular voice to those respective franchise systems, will be a catalyst to accelerating growth and performance,” he said.
Pringle said: “It has been a career highlight to lead our global development and international business over the past five years. I know our U.S. business and franchisees exceptionally well and am confident that we still have much potential opportunity ahead for sales, profit, and restaurant growth."
Wunsch said: "I see a huge opportunity for Wendy's on the international stage. I'm eager to support our current franchise and company operations in driving outsized growth, while also advancing our footprint to bring more Wendy's to more customers around the globe.”
Wendy’s, founded in 1969, has more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide.
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