The Flynn Group plans for 200 locations down under.
By Andrew Carlo
Wendy’s has re-entered the fast food franchise market in Australia with the opening of a new location on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
The location is operated by the Flynn Restaurant Group who signed a master franchisee agreement in 2023 for the development of Wendy’s restaurants in Australia. The Flynn Group’s long-term plan is to develop 200 Wendy’s locations in Australia by 2034.
The company is one of the largest restaurant franchise operators in the world and also holds the rights for Pizza Hut in Australia along with Wendy’s in New Zealand, where it operates more than 20 locations.
Overall, the Flynn Group operates about 2,900 fast food and casual dining restaurants. Its U.S. franchise portfolio includes the Applebee’s, Taco Bell, Panera, Arby’s and Pizza Hut brands.
Last August, the Flynn Group acquired 83 Wendy’s locations, primarily in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The company now operates over 300 Wendy’s locations.
“The Wendy’s brand was built on doing things differently, from square hamburgers to being one of the most talked about brands on social media,” said Lauren Leahy, chief transformation officer at the Flynn Group. “Wendy’s embraces a challenger mindset, and we think Australians do too. We’ve put our guests in the centre of every detail from a vibrant new restaurant design with a laser focus on delivering the best chicken and hamburger experience.”
Wendy’s previously entered the Australian market in 1983. But the stay was short with the chain running into financial trouble and then being acquired in 1986 by the Hungry Jack’s, the Burger King franchise of Australia.
The Wendy’s system includes approximately 6,500 franchise and company-operated restaurants in the United States and 28 countries and U.S. territories.
More information about the Flynn Group is available here.
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