US chain Wendy's to open Oxford restaurant

US fast food chain Wendy’s is to open a restaurant in Oxford city centre as part of its return to the UK.

The North American burger brand ran around 10 company-operated UK restaurants in the 1990s, but pulled out of the market in 2000.

Wendy’s also submitted a planning application for a location in Reading in 2020.

A Wendy's spokesperson said: "I can confirm that we will be opening a Wendy’s restaurant in Oxford. As previously shared, our first location is in Reading and we are exploring additional opportunities in the London area.

"The brand is excited to enter the UK with company owned and operated restaurants this year, and we are looking for franchisees to grow with us across the United Kingdom."

The company, known for its square burger patties, was founded in 1969 in Columbus, Ohio, and today operates more than 6,800 restaurants worldwide.

Chief executive Todd Penegor said last year that Wendy's was “on track” to open restaurants in the UK in the first half of 2021, though this was before England’s national lockdown began in January. He said the UK sites would be a mix of drive-through and dine-in restaurants offering delivery.

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