Dublin, Ohio — The Wendy’s Company plans to enter Brazil this month, with plans for significant restaurant expansion over time. This growth will be driven through Wendy’s Brazil, a joint venture formed in 2015 between affiliates of Infinity Services and Starboard, one of Wendy’s® largest U.S. franchisees, and a subsidiary of The Wendy’s Company. Wendy’s Brazil plans to hold the grand opening in mid-July for two restaurants in São Paulo.
Based in São Paulo, Infinity Services has successfully brought several well-known restaurant brands to Brazil in recent years. Starboard, led by veteran Wendy’s franchisee Andrew Levy, chief executive officer, and Marcos Silva, president, operates 182 Wendy’s restaurants in nine states.
“We choose São Paulo for the Wendy’s introduction because it is the main financial and gastronomic capital of the country,” says Marcel Gholmieh, CEO, Wendy’s Brazil and Infinity Services. “Our initial objective is to create flagship restaurant locations, establish the Wendy’s brand and then, longer term, start thinking about potential partnerships with local groups in other areas of Brazil.”
“We are pleased to partner with two highly capable operators who have a growth mindset, proven restaurant experience and a strong customer focuses,” says Bob Wright, executive vice president, chief operations officer and international, The Wendy’s Company. “We believe this joint collaboration will provide a springboard for growth. Starboard has a deep knowledge of Wendy’s operations and what it takes to run a successful Wendy’s restaurant, while Infinity Services is immersed in the Brazilian market and culture.
The Wendy’s Company is the world’s third-largest quick-service hamburger company with approximately 6,500 franchise and company-operated restaurants in the United States and 28 countries and U.S. territories worldwide. For more information, visit www.aboutwendys.com.
SOURCE: The Wendy’s Company