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Wendy's works way back to UK, 21 years post-departure

Wendy's is headed back to the U.K. (iStock)

May 10, 2021

Twenty-one years after Wendy's exited the U.K., the brand is re-entering the kingdom with an opening in Reading in June, according to Yahoo.

The international move is the start of a plan to put as many as 400 stores in the U.K., which the company said, over the weekend, would be used as the launching pad for more stores across the European continent in coming years. Interestingly Wendy's Chief Development Officer Abigail Pringle said Brexit had no impact on the planned European growth for the chain.

The 6,800-store brand is among others who are pushing or continuing to push a British presence as part of company growth strategies. For example, two months ago, Popeyes said it will also put a store in the U.K. this year and also plans hundreds more as part of that chicken-centric chain's growth strategy. Popeyes has approximately 3,400 restaurants in 29 countries.

Wendy's had not responded to a request for more details about the expansion as of press time.