Retail News CRM

Tag: Wendy

  • Wendy’s Philippines sold to new owner as Dennis Uy exits food retail

    Wendy’s Philippines sold to new owner as Dennis Uy exits food retail

    Wendy’s Philippines and Conti’s Bakeshop, run by Filippino businessman Dennis Uy, have been sold to a local entrepreneur.

    Uy has decided to sell his Eight8Ate Holdings company, which operates the two chains, to Crystal Jacinto. The sale comes after the multibillion-peso food retailing business bundle has been on the market for almost two years.

    Jacinto, who runs European Wellness Villa Medica Manila – a health and wellness centre specialising in anti-aging and disease management solutions, will take full control of the company, according to the news agency’s sources. She is also reportedly backed by her husband and Malaysian businessman Jaya Sudhir.

    Wendy’s, which had 70 stores as of June, and Conti’s, which had 74 stores, were acquired by Uy in 2019, shortly before the pandemic.

    Conti’s is considered the more profitable of the two brands, which led to the bundling of Wendy’s in the deal.

    The sale also includes the remaining shares of Conti’s founding sisters – Cecille Conti Maranon, Carole Conti Sumulong, and Angela Conti Martinez – who have agreed to sell their residual stake directly to Jacinto, cites the news agency.

    Neither Uy nor Jacinto has yet to comment on the transaction at the time of writing.

    Apart from Eight8Ate Holdings, Uy is also the founder of Udenna, a conglomerate involved in petroleum, oil and gas, shipping, logistics, real estate, education, and gaming.

  • Wendy’s New Zealand business up for sale after 34 years

    Wendy’s New Zealand business up for sale after 34 years

    Wendy’s NZ, the current master franchisee, owner and operator of all Wendy’s hamburger restaurants throughout New Zealand, is on the market for the first time in 34 years.

    The brand was brought here in 1988 when Danny and Dianne Lendich opened the first store in Te Atatu after a deal between the international franchisor and the original master licensee fell through. The Lendich family went on to develop 22 restaurants – 12 in Auckland, two in the South Island and eight throughout the North Island – all of which are company-owned and included in the sale. There are no sub-franchisees.

    With Danny and Dianne Lendich now in their 70s, their daughter and CEO of Wendy’s NZ Danielle Lendich, says business has never been better, but now is the right time for change.

    Internationally, the American burger brand has over 7,000 restaurants and is planning to accelerate global growth, opening over 90 new restaurants in the first quarter of 2022. The company says it is looking for a qualified franchisee who can help grow and scale the business throughout New Zealand. While sub-franchising is not specifically mentioned, it is a strategy Wendy’s uses in other countries.

    Traditionally, New Zealand has been an attractive market for international brands, with Carl’s Jr. and Wendy’s having both achieved world-record sales levels for opening weeks here. However, opportunities for franchisees have been limited, with both companies operating via national master licensees who have not sub-franchised. This has left the owner/operator burger market open to McDonald’s (which has over 170 restaurants here) and locally-developed gourmet burger franchises such as BurgerFuel and Burger Wisconsin.

    Record sales

    Danielle Lendich says that Wendy’s NZ is performing extremely well and is ready for growth.

    ‘Operations are strong across the country and we’re experiencing record sales. Even during the worst of Covid, there has been huge demand. Obviously there have been challenges, but it’s a testament to the team that we’ve been able to get though the disruption and emerge even stronger.’

    A family-owned business with deeply-rooted values and relationships, Wendy’s NZ has many staff and suppliers who have been with the company for decades, and suppliers of beef, sauces and fresh produce going back to year one,’ Danielle says.

    ‘We hope the new franchisee will operate with the same cores values and look after not just the business, but the wider Wendy’s family. The future is very bright at Wendy’s.’

    The sale of Wendy’s NZ / WendCo (NZ) Limited is being handled by Spencers Chartered Accountants & Advisers in New Zealand and internationally by partner Azure.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Wendy’s Malaysia Closing Down

    Wendy’s Malaysia Closing Down

    A series of Wendy’s restaurant closures have prompted rumours that the brand is shutting down in Malaysia for good.

    While no formal announcement has been made of the brand’s apparent withdrawal from the territory, social media posts documenting vacated Wendy’s Malaysia premises have been circulating since venues began disappearing last year.

    Online users have speculated that Wendy’s Malaysia franchisor Berjaya Burger has decided not to renew its agreement with the international fast food chain. The Wendy’s Malaysia Instagram account has also been shut down, and the firm’s last Facebook post was in early January this year.

    A 2016 article announcing the planned expansion of Wendy’s in Malaysia has been held up as a relic of better times for the global brand.

    At last count, just one branch in Kuala Lumpur – at Berjaya Times Square – and two in Penang were still operating.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook: