Elevation of Current Senior Leadership Team
Members Supports Growth of Core Business Segments
DUBLIN,
Ohio, May 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The
Wendy's Company (Nasdaq: WEN) announced the appointment of
Abigail Pringle to the newly-created
role of President, U.S. and E.J. Wunsch to President, International
effective June 17. Ms. Pringle has
served as President, International and Chief Development Officer
since 2019, and in numerous leadership roles across Development,
Operations and Strategic Initiatives since joining the Company in
2002. Mr. Wunsch has served as Chief Legal Officer since joining
the Company in 2016. He has been a strategic partner on
various international initiatives across Australia, Asia,
Europe and South America.
Prior to Wendy's, Wunsch oversaw a substantial international legal
portfolio with The Procter & Gamble Company,
including four years stationed in Singapore with responsibility throughout
Asia.
As President, U.S., Pringle will direct 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 President and CEO Kirk Tanner.
"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. Fortunately, we have exceptional leaders
for these important roles on the leadership team today. Abigail has
been a critical architect of our restaurant development journey and
has put our International business on firm footing that is ready
for accelerated growth. She will now bring that discipline and
drive for outsized performance to our U.S. business. E.J. is a
strong, strategic business leader who has been deeply involved in
the business in his current role. I'm confident he will bring his
global experience and keen business acumen to support the health of
our existing International business and grow our footprint further
around the world."
"It has been a career highlight to lead our Global Development
and International business over the past five years," said Pringle.
"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."
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains
certain statements that are not historical facts, including
statements regarding our anticipated future performance and growth.
Those statements constitute "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
(the "Reform Act"). The forward-looking statements are based on our
expectations at the time such statements are made, speak only as of
the dates they are made and are susceptible to a number of risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results,
performance or achievements to differ materially from those
expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement. These
factors include, but are not limited to, the factors identified in
the "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and
Projections" and "Risk Factors" sections of our Annual Reports on
Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our other
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For all
forward-looking statements, the Company claims the protection of
the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the
Reform Act.
About Wendy's
Wendy's® was founded in 1969
by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio. Dave built his business on the premise,
"Quality is our Recipe®," which remains the guidepost of the
Wendy's system. Wendy's is best known for its made-to-order square
hamburgers, using fresh, never frozen beef*, freshly-prepared
salads, and other signature items like chili, baked potatoes and
the Frosty® dessert. The Wendy's Company (Nasdaq: WEN)
is committed to doing the right thing and making a positive
difference in the lives of others. This is most visible through the
Company's support of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption® and
its signature Wendy's Wonderful Kids® program, which seeks to find
a loving, forever home for every child waiting to be adopted from
the North American foster care system. Today, Wendy's and its
franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across over
7,000 restaurants worldwide with a vision of becoming the world's
most thriving and beloved restaurant brand. For details on
franchising, connect with us
at www.wendys.com/franchising.
Visit www.wendys.com and www.squaredealblog.com for
more information and connect with us on X and Instagram using
@wendys, and on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/wendys.
*Fresh beef available in the contiguous U.S., Alaska,
and Canada.
Investor Contact:
Kelsey Freed
Director - Investor Relations
(614) 764-3345; kelsey.freed@wendys.com
Media Contact:
Heidi Schauer
Vice President – Communications, Public Affairs & Customer
Care
(614) 764-3368; heidi.schauer@wendys.com
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SOURCE The Wendy’s Company