Wendy’s, the world’s third-largest burger chain, is making its highly anticipated return to Australia with the opening of its first local store in nearly four decades. This move positions Wendy’s as a serious contender against fast food leaders like McDonald’s and Guzman y Gomez.
Flynn Group, which acquired the Australian rights to Wendy’s in late 2023, has spent months meticulously planning this launch. The store, located in Surfers Paradise, opens its doors at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
“I’ve probably eaten every hamburger in Australia at some point – sometimes I felt like I was becoming one,” says Lauren Leahy, Chief Transformation Officer of Flynn Group. Leahy, who oversees operations for Wendy’s, is confident in the brand’s potential in Australia.
Known for its square burger patties and its red-haired, pigtail-logo mascot (modeled after the founder’s daughter), Wendy’s aims to make a strong impact. Flynn Group, which already runs several major fast food brands in the U.S. like Arby’s and Taco Bell, now sets its sights on expanding Wendy’s presence across Australia.
Flynn’s investment in Pizza Hut two years ago helped gauge the potential for other brands, and it became clear that there was significant demand for Wendy’s. The chain previously operated 11 stores in Australia in the 1980s, but pulled out after struggling to gain traction. This time, however, Leahy believes the market is ripe for the brand’s return.
“Social media is full of people asking when Wendy’s will finally come to Australia. Based on our research, about 90 percent of Australians are eager to try Wendy’s,” Leahy explains.
Wendy’s is not the first American fast food brand to try to expand in Australia, but many others have faced challenges. Carl’s Jr. entered the market in 2016 with plans for 300 locations over ten years, yet only has 28 outlets after nearly a decade. Similarly, cult favorite Five Guys opened its first location in 2021 and now operates just five stores.
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