key takeaways
- Wendy’s announces Project Fresh, a four-pillar plan to modernize the brand.
- The brand is upgrading its technology with new kiosks, app features and faster drive-thrus.
- Expect refreshed interiors and more limited-time menu items.
Wendy’s is launching a sweeping initiative called Project Fresh, designed to make every part of the customer experience faster, smoother and more modern – from the way ordering is done to the way food is prepared and served.
RELATED: Considering Franchise Ownership? Start finding your personal list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests, and budget now.
As part of the overhaul, the chain, #8 on the 2025 Franchise 500, plans to add new digital kiosks, enhance mobile app ordering and upgrade drive-thru technology for quicker, more accurate service. Behind the counter, the redesigned kitchens will feature new fresh-prep stations that will improve salad and sandwich assembly, while updated restaurant interiors will offer a cleaner, brighter look.
Wendy’s also plans to add more seasonal and limited-time menu items, taking advantage of the social media buzz that has driven hits for competitors like McDonald’s and Taco Bell. Together, these changes aim to deliver a fresher, more engaging experience that meets the expectations of modern customers, without losing the personality that makes Wendy’s a fan favorite.
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Behind the scenes, Wendy’s is cutting spending on corporate-built restaurants by about $20 million next year, reallocating that money to technology and restaurant upgrades. Franchisees will also have new digital tools to track performance and customer satisfaction, helping to standardize service quality across locations.
The Project Fresh plan was developed in partnership with Creed Anko, a consultancy founded by former Taco Bell and Yum! Brands executive Greg Creed. The move comes as Wendy’s attempts to revive growth amid increasing competition in the quick service sector. company The search is still on for a new CEO following Kirk Tanner’s exit earlier this year, but executives say Project Fresh will guide Wendy’s toward what they’re calling “the next era of growth.” For fans, that era will look like faster service, smarter technology, and a restaurant that feels like the Wendy’s people fell in love with — updated for 2025.
RELATED: ‘Send a man next time’: How an entrepreneur and her daughters built a $2.5 million franchise in a male-dominated field
key takeaways
- Wendy’s announces Project Fresh, a four-pillar plan to modernize the brand.
- The brand is upgrading its technology with new kiosks, app features and faster drive-thrus.
- Expect refreshed interiors and more limited-time menu items.
Wendy’s is launching a sweeping initiative called Project Fresh, designed to make every part of the customer experience faster, smoother and more modern – from the way ordering is done to the way food is prepared and served.
RELATED: Considering Franchise Ownership? Start finding your personal list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests, and budget now.
As part of the overhaul, the chain, #8 on the 2025 Franchise 500, plans to add new digital kiosks, enhance mobile app ordering and upgrade drive-thru technology for quicker, more accurate service. Behind the counter, the redesigned kitchens will feature new fresh-prep stations that will improve salad and sandwich assembly, while updated restaurant interiors will offer a cleaner, brighter look.
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