DUBLIN, Ohio — Wendy's International Inc. said same-store sales increased 4.7 percent at domestic company stores for the August period, which ended Sunday, Sept. 3, 2006.
According to a news release, the August increase represents the company's strongest month of same-store sales in more than two years.
The company said the robust August sales performance came in spite of the negative impact of inclement weather from Tropical Storm Ernesto, which affected East Coast regions where Wendy's operates a substantial number of company stores.
"Our second quarter represented the best same-store sales period for the Wendy's brand in more than a year and a half, and the third quarter is off to an even better start," said Kerrii Anderson, Wendy's interim chief executive officer and president. "Our marketing strategy is revitalizing the Wendy's brand as we clarify our positioning with customers, improve our advertising messages and introduce new products."
New products introduced by Wendy's since April include:
-- Frescata deli sandwiches
-- A 99-cent crispy chicken sandwich
-- Three-tier combos
-- A new Frescata Italiana
-- A vanilla Frosty
In addition, Wendy's announced that it is now cooking with oil that has zero grams of trans-fat per serving at its 6,000 U.S. restaurants. With the move, Wendy's became the first major quick-service restaurant chain to switch to non-hydrogenated cooking oil for its french fries and chicken products. Wendy's plans to communicate this change to its customers with point-of-purchase nutrition posters in all its stores in September.
