Latest news with #Wendy's
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Wendy's replaces outgoing US president
This story was originally published on Restaurant Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Restaurant Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Wendy's has hired Pete Suerken for the role of president, U.S. on Tuesday, replacing Abigail Pringle, who is leaving the company effective Aug. 15, according to an 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Pringle is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities, according to a press release. She served as Wendy's U.S. president since June 2024, following more than two decades in various roles at the brand. Suerken joins Wendy's leadership at a moment of C-suite upheaval. CEO Kirk Tanner defected to Hershey earlier this month after a tenure of roughly 18 months. Tanner was replaced on an interim basis by CFO Ken Cook, a former UPS exec who has only been with the chain since December. Dive Insight: Suerken's appointment is an indication the brand is searching for stability. Despite technically being an outside hire, Suerken has extensive knowledge of Wendy's system. He served as president and CEO of its independent purchasing cooperative, Wendy's Quality Supply Chain Co-op, since 2021, according to the press release. In that position, Suerken led supply chain and distribution operations for Wendy's restaurants around the world. Suerken will focus on the chain's U.S. priorities, which include 'delivering exceptional customer experiences, increasing restaurant-level profitability and accelerating growth,' Cook said. Suerken also spent more than a decade at Yum Brands' purchasing co-op, Restaurant Supply Chain Solutions, according to the press release. Cook said Pringle 'has been a key leader of restaurant development at Wendy's, including our Image Activation journey and creation of the modern restaurant image for the brand. She transformed our International business and put a solid structure in place to optimize restaurant performance in the U.S.' The executive changes come at a difficult moment for the brand, and for QSRs overall. In October, Wendy's announced a plan to shutter about 140 underperforming restaurants, and the chain's same-store sales fell 2.8% in the U.S. in Q1. But that conceals a fairly steady performance for the chain. Wendy's has seen positive comps growth in seven of the last eight quarters — though that growth was often small — while McDonald's and Burger King both posted multiple negative quarters in the same timespan. And the chain is making tech changes to boost its speed of service and restrain labor costs by deploying drive-thru voice artificial intelligence at 500 restaurants this year. Recommended Reading Wendy's CEO departs for Hershey Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wendy's unveils Wednesday-themed 'Meal of Misfortune': When you can get it
Wendy's has announced a new meal in collaboration with the hit Netflix show "Wednesday" that the restaurant chain calls "pure punishment in a bag." The company unveiled on – you guessed it – Wednesday, July 23, the Wendy's Wednesday Meal of Misfortune. The limited-time meal is centered around four mystery sauces called the "Dips of Dread," along with "Rest in 10-Piece" nuggets, small "Cursed & Crispy" fries, and a new Frosty flavor called "Raven's Blood." The items will all be served in custom packaging, according to Wendy's. The meal will coincide with the release of Season 2 of "Wednesday" that will premiere on Netflix. The show will be in two parts. Part 1 will debut Aug. 6 at 3 a.m. ET and Part 2 will premiere Sept. 3 at 3 a.m. ET. More news: What to know about 'Wednesday' Season 2: Jenna Ortega returns with Lady Gaga When will the Wednesday meal be available? The items will be available at restaurants nationwide beginning Monday, Aug. 4, or via the Wendy's app on Wednesday, Aug. 6, according to Wendy's. In Canada, customers can get the meal in restaurants or via the Wendy's app starting Monday, Aug. 11. Will the Wednesday meal be available at all Wendy's locations? The company said the Meal of Misfortune will also be available at Wendy's locations in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Guam. "Wendy's and Wednesday are both cultural icons famous for challenging convention with wit and a bit of sass," said Liz Geraghty, international chief marketing officer for The Wendy's Company, in a news release. "This isn't a typical collaboration, because not just any brand could scheme up a Meal of Misfortune with Wednesday Addams. But for a brand that's proudly customer-obsessed and unapologetically bold, it was a match made in dark, dry-witted heaven." What kinds of sauces are the 'Dips of Dread'? Wendy's said two mystery dipping sauces come in each meal, adding that "fate will decide which of the four dips" customers receive. The four flavors are called: You Can't Hyde This Will Sting Grave Mistake Nowhere to Woe "Don't bother asking which sauce you'll get – you must surrender to your destiny. Those brave enough to try them all must endure multiple visits," Wendy's said in the news release. Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, Kelly Lawler, Bryan Alexander, Pamela Avila; USA TODAY Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wendy's unveils Wednesday-inspired menu items: When you can get them
USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Wendy's unveils Wednesday-themed 'Meal of Misfortune': When you can get it
Wendy's has announced a new meal in collaboration with the hit Netflix show "Wednesday" that the restaurant chain calls "pure punishment in a bag." The company unveiled on – you guessed it – Wednesday, July 23, the Wendy's Wednesday Meal of Misfortune. The limited-time meal is centered around four mystery sauces called the "Dips of Dread," along with "Rest in 10-Piece" nuggets, small "Cursed & Crispy" fries, and a new Frosty flavor called "Raven's Blood." The items will all be served in custom packaging, according to Wendy's. The meal will coincide with the release of Season 2 of "Wednesday" that will premiere on Netflix. The show will be in two parts. Part 1 will debut Aug. 6 at 3 a.m. ET and Part 2 will premiere Sept. 3 at 3 a.m. ET. More news: What to know about 'Wednesday' Season 2: Jenna Ortega returns with Lady Gaga When will the Wednesday meal be available? The items will be available at restaurants nationwide beginning Monday, Aug. 4, or via the Wendy's app on Wednesday, Aug. 6, according to Wendy's. In Canada, customers can get the meal in restaurants or via the Wendy's app starting Monday, Aug. 11. Will the Wednesday meal be available at all Wendy's locations? The company said the Meal of Misfortune will also be available at Wendy's locations in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Guam. "Wendy's and Wednesday are both cultural icons famous for challenging convention with wit and a bit of sass," said Liz Geraghty, international chief marketing officer for The Wendy's Company, in a news release. "This isn't a typical collaboration, because not just any brand could scheme up a Meal of Misfortune with Wednesday Addams. But for a brand that's proudly customer-obsessed and unapologetically bold, it was a match made in dark, dry-witted heaven." What kinds of sauces are the 'Dips of Dread'? Wendy's said two mystery dipping sauces come in each meal, adding that "fate will decide which of the four dips" customers receive. The four flavors are called: "Don't bother asking which sauce you'll get – you must surrender to your destiny. Those brave enough to try them all must endure multiple visits," Wendy's said in the news release. Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, Kelly Lawler, Bryan Alexander, Pamela Avila; USA TODAY Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
Indianapolis Star
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Wendy's unveils Wednesday-themed 'Meal of Misfortune': When you can get it
Wendy's has announced a new meal in collaboration with the hit Netflix show "Wednesday" that the restaurant chain calls "pure punishment in a bag." The company unveiled on – you guessed it – Wednesday, July 23, the Wendy's Wednesday Meal of Misfortune. The limited-time meal is centered around four mystery sauces called the "Dips of Dread," along with "Rest in 10-Piece" nuggets, small "Cursed & Crispy" fries, and a new Frosty flavor called "Raven's Blood." The items will all be served in custom packaging, according to Wendy's. The meal will coincide with the release of Season 2 of "Wednesday" that will premiere on Netflix. The show will be in two parts. Part 1 will debut Aug. 6 at 3 a.m. ET and Part 2 will premiere Sept. 3 at 3 a.m. ET. More news: What to know about 'Wednesday' Season 2: Jenna Ortega returns with Lady Gaga The items will be available at restaurants nationwide beginning Monday, Aug. 4, or via the Wendy's app on Wednesday, Aug. 6, according to Wendy's. In Canada, customers can get the meal in restaurants or via the Wendy's app starting Monday, Aug. 11. The company said the Meal of Misfortune will also be available at Wendy's locations in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Guam. "Wendy's and Wednesday are both cultural icons famous for challenging convention with wit and a bit of sass," said Liz Geraghty, international chief marketing officer for The Wendy's Company, in a news release. "This isn't a typical collaboration, because not just any brand could scheme up a Meal of Misfortune with Wednesday Addams. But for a brand that's proudly customer-obsessed and unapologetically bold, it was a match made in dark, dry-witted heaven." Wendy's said two mystery dipping sauces come in each meal, adding that "fate will decide which of the four dips" customers receive. The four flavors are called: "Don't bother asking which sauce you'll get – you must surrender to your destiny. Those brave enough to try them all must endure multiple visits," Wendy's said in the news release. Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, Kelly Lawler, Bryan Alexander, Pamela Avila; USA TODAY
Newsweek
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Wendy's Launch New Limited-Edition Meal
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Wendy's is set to launch a new limited-edition meal inspired by Netflix's hit series Wednesday. The "Meal of Misfortune" will be available at participating Wendy's restaurants across the United States starting August 4, 2025, two days before the premiere of the first part of Wednesday Season 2 on Netflix, per a Wendy's press release. Wendy's has been contacted via email for further comment. The limited edition 'Meal of Misfortune,' inspired by Wednesday Addams. The limited edition 'Meal of Misfortune,' inspired by Wednesday Addams. Wendy's The Context Season 1 of Wednesday, released in 2022 and starring Jenna Ortega, was Netflix's most watched English-language TV show with 252.1 million viewers according to Netflix's companion site, Tudum. The company is rolling out several new meals and initiatives this year, including the "Meal of Misfortune," a "100 Days of Summer" program, and a collaboration with Takis snacks. What Is in Wendy's 'Meal of Misfortune'? A press release from Wendy's says that the meal was "designed by Wednesday Addams." The "Meal of Misfortune" centers on four new mystery "Dips of Dread"— You Can't Hyde, This Will Sting, Grave Mistake, and Nowhere to Woe. Each meal comes with two randomly selected sauces. The bundle includes "Rest in 10-Piece" Nuggets, small "Cursed & Crispy" Fries, and the debut of the "Raven's Blood" Frosty, a vanilla Frosty with a dark cherry swirl. The press release states that people will have to buy multiple meals in order to try all four sauces. The meal will be available through restaurants and the Wendy's app in the U.S. from August 4, followed by releases in Canada starting August 11 as well as in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Guam. Wendy's has not specified an end date for the promotion. Who Is Wednesday Addams? Wednesday Addams is a gothic child who first appeared in American popular culture in 1938 as a member of the Addams family, a cartoon family invented by artist Charles Addams for The New Yorker. The Addams family was then turned into a sitcom in 1964, and has had its stories rebooted in several films and TV shows since. Wednesday is the latest iteration of Addams family lore. It focuses on Wednesday's teenage school years at Nevermore Academy, a fictional school for outcast and quirky children. What People Are Saying Liz Geraghty, international chief marketing officer for The Wendy's Company, said in a press release: "This isn't a typical collaboration, because not just any brand could scheme up a Meal of Misfortune with Wednesday Addams. But for a brand that's proudly customer-obsessed and unapologetically bold, it was a match made in dark, dry-witted heaven." The character of Wednesday Addams was quoted in the press release, saying: "Normally I'd be against this kind of capitalistic corporate synergy, but when the fast-food-slinging pigtailed provocateur said I could do whatever I wanted to her customers, I couldn't resist." What Happens Next The first half of Wednesday Season 2 airs on Netflix on August 6. Wednesday has already been renewed for a third season.
