Wendy's heads north as it prepares to open first UK franchise site

The location in Sheffield will be owned and operated by Square Burgers Limited, which will be focused on opening restaurants in South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

“British customers have been eagerly asking when Wendy’s is coming to the north, and we’re excited to open a new restaurant in Sheffield soon,” says Abigail Pringle, president, international and chief development officer of The Wendy’s Company.

“We’re also thrilled to welcome Square Burgers Limited to the Wendy’s family, the first franchise partner to open a traditional Wendy’s restaurant in the UK. They will be an integral partner as we continue to grow the brand across this region.”

At the same time, Wendy's is in the midst of actively building a pipeline of company-owned restaurants in the north west, focused on the Liverpool and Greater Manchester areas.

In the long-term Wendy’s believes it could reach 300 to 400 restaurants in the UK.

The business, which currently operates 10 company-owned and operated restaurants and 15 delivery-only kitchens, believes it is likely to end up operating around 20-25 of its own sites, with the remaining growth to come from franchise partners.

Earlier this month, Todd Penegor, president and chief executive of The Wendy’s Company said that while the UK currently had a macro backdrop ;that is a little bit more challenged', it was 'still committed to building up that market'​​ and continued to see the UK as 'the big opportunity in Europe'.