Wendy’s, the beloved fast-food chain known for its mouthwatering burgers and frosty treats, has a rich history that dates back to its roots as a small cigar company. Let’s take a journey through the evolution of Wendy’s and the story of The Wendy’s Company.
The Wendy’s Company: A Holding Company
The Wendy’s Company is an American holding company headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. Its primary subsidiary, Wendy’s International, plays a pivotal role as the franchisor of Wendy’s restaurants across the United States.
Wendy’s International: The Franchisor
Wendy’s International, Inc. is responsible for franchising Wendy’s restaurants and was once the parent company of Wendy’s. At one point, it owned other well-known brands like Tim Hortons Baja Fresh and held a 70 percent stake in Cafe Express. The corporate headquarters of Wendy’s International is located in Dublin, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. Importantly, Wendy’s International is owned by The Wendy’s Company.
- Tim Hortons: Wendy’s spun off the Tim Hortons chain into a separate company in September 2006.
- Baja Fresh: The Baja Fresh chain was sold in October 2006.
- Merger with Triarc: On September 15, 2008, shareholders approved the purchase of Wendy’s International, Inc. by Triarc Companies, Inc., which resulted in the formation of Wendy’s/Arby’s Group, Inc.
Former Divisions
Wendy’s had several former divisions that played a role in its history:
- TDL Group: This division operated Tim Hortons coffee stores in Canada and the United States from 1995 to 2009. It was spun off in 2006, and its ties to Wendy’s as a parent company were officially severed in June 2009.
- Pasta Pomodoro: Wendy’s 25 percent interest in Pasta Pomodoro was sold in December 2009.
The Historic Journey
The roots of The Wendy’s Company trace back to the late 19th century when it was known as the Deisel-Wemmer Co., a cigar manufacturer and importer based in Ohio, founded in 1884. Over the years, the company went through several transformations:
- In 1929, it became the Deisel-Wemmer-Gilbert Corporation (DWG) after being acquired by an investment group.
- DWG expanded by acquiring other small cigar companies to maintain its market share.
- With the decline in the cigar market, DWG diversified its business interests.
- DWG sold or closed its remaining cigar operations in 1966.
- In 1984, DWG acquired Royal Crown Cola and its fast-food subsidiary Arby’s through a hostile takeover.
- Subsequently, DWG faced financial challenges, leading to Carl Lindner, Jr.’s involvement.
- Victor Posner, a significant investor in DWG, became the controlling shareholder.
- In 1993, DWG’s name was changed to Triarc Companies, Inc.
- Triarc underwent various acquisitions and divestitures, including Snapple, Mistic, and Stewart’s.
- 2008 Triarc acquired Wendy’s International, forming Wendy’s/Arby’s Group, Inc.
- In 2011, Wendy’s/Arby’s Group decided to divest the Arby’s chain and focus on Wendy’s.
- The company relocated its headquarters to Dublin, Ohio, in 2011.
- In 2018, The Wendy’s Company sold a stake in Arby’s parent company, Inspire Brands.
Wendy’s Today
Today, The Wendy’s Company is the guardian of the beloved Wendy’s brand, continuing to serve delicious fast food to customers nationwide. With a rich history of transformation and growth, Wendy’s remains a staple in the fast-food industry, known for its quality and innovation.
As we enjoy our Wendy’s burgers and Frostys, let’s remember the journey that brought us this iconic fast-food chain, rooted in the cigar industry of the late 1800s but now delighting taste buds worldwide.