Operations

Wendy's signs deal to open 700 delivery kitchens

Provided

August 13, 2021

The Wendy's Company and Reef, a mobility, logistics hubs and kitchens operator, have signed a development deal to open and operate 700 delivery kitchens over the next five years across the U.S., Canada and the U.K., according to a press release.

The commitment comes after testing eight delivery kitchens in Canada beginning in late 2020.

Through this commitment, Reef will become the first Wendy's franchisee in the U.K.

"The demand for convenient delivery solutions means we must look for opportunities beyond our traditional restaurant formats, especially in dense urban areas," Abigail Pringle, Wendy's president, international and CDO, said in the release. "This partnership with Reef is testimony to our ambitions, the potential we see to grow our beloved brand and our quest to reach more customers in more ways."

Wendy's and Reef expect to open about 50 delivery kitchens in 2021, with the remainder launched by 2025.

"We are proud to partner with Wendy's to show how a restaurant brand can successfully and conveniently scale with Reef's delivery kitchen platform to reach more customers faster and with Wendy's world famous commitment to quality food and service," Michael Beacham, president of Reef Kitchens, said in the release. "Wendy's is an incredible brand and we look forward to being a part of their continued success in the future."

Reef's network of delivery kitchens, in over 30 cities around the world, helps reduce traffic congestion and pollution by bringing food closer to the customer, according to the release.

Reef has 5,000 locations and a team of over 18,000 employees across North America. Wendy's was founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio. Wendy's has more than 6,800 restaurants in the U.S. and internationally.