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Ohio incentivizes Wendy's to consolidate headquarters

December 1, 2011

The Wendy's Company announced that it will consolidate its World Headquarters in Dublin, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. As a result, the company will close its Atlanta Restaurant Support Center operations in late 2012 and move at least 170 positions to the Buckeye State.

For the past three years, Wendy's has operated support centers in both Dublin and Atlanta.

In August, the company announced that it was returning its headquarters to Central Ohio after spending about three years in Atlanta as part of the Wendy's/Arby's Group. The move came shortly after WAG sold Arby's to Roark Capital.

At that time, according to the Columbus Dispatch, Wendy's received nearly $12 million in incentives from both the State of Ohio and the City of Dublin to bring its headquarters back.

Still, a support center remained in Atlanta until this week's announcement. With the complete consolidation, Wendy's received yet another incentive from Ohio through a combined $8.4 million in job-creation tax credits over 12 years, as well as a $500,000 economic development grant.

According to a press release, the expanded incentives were a major factor in the company's decision to consolidate in Ohio.

"While this was a difficult decision considering the excellent employees we have in Atlanta, I believe it is important to bring our entire restaurant support center together in one location. This action will help us strengthen collaboration and teamwork as we grow our iconic brand," said Emil Brolick, Wendy's president and CEO.

In August, the company also announced the investment of more than $11 million to extensively renovate its facilities at One Dave Thomas Boulevard in Dublin. This includes the expansion of corporate offices and meeting space to accommodate positions currently based in Atlanta.

Most Atlanta-based employees will be offered the opportunity to relocate to Central Ohio. Atlanta-based employees will receive retention bonuses to help facilitate the transition to Dublin, and those not relocating will receive enhanced severance packages, outplacement counseling services and other benefits.

Wendy's will continue to operate its South Region Office in Alpharetta, a suburb of Atlanta.

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