When Dave Thomas opened the first Wendy’s restaurant on November 15, 1969, in Columbus, Ohio, Dave didn’t just turn his lifelong dream into reality — he shared it with everyone through franchise opportunities. Five decades later, we’ve stayed true to Dave’s vision and values on our mission to becoming the most thriving and beloved restaurant brand. At Wendy’s, our purpose is to create joy and opportunity through food, family, and community.

Ownership in the Wendy’s System through franchising is a transformational financial opportunity that can impact generations. Want to grow with Wendy’s for years to come? We want to hear from you! Our restaurant design emphasizes Wendy’s focus on friendly, accurate, and fast service in an inviting, modern, clean, and upbeat environment. We offer a flexible range of footprints & investment options, because we believe that everyone deserves to experience Wendy’s, no matter where you’re located.