Wendy’s invests $2 million & creates 40 new jobs in Hamilton

9 July 2013

Wendy’s Arrives in Hamilton

Wendy’s invests $2 million and creates 40 new jobs with new Frankton restaurant opening Thursday

Wendy’s has arrived in Hamilton at long last, with the new Wendy’s Frankton opening its doors to the public this Thursday 11 July.

Giving Hamiltonians their very first taste of Wendy’s, the restaurant on the corner of Greenwood and Killarney Sts has cost Wendy’s more than $2 million and taken a total of 21 weeks to build, with bad weather and drainage issues holding up construction.

A total of 40 new jobs have been created for locals, with the crew hiring and training process now almost complete.

Frankton is Wendy’s first restaurant in Hamilton. A second is scheduled to open in Te Rapa in November, with new restaurants in Whangarei and Christchurch bringing the total to 22 by the end of the year.

Wendy’s CEO Danielle Lendich says the company has engaged a contractor for Te Rapa and construction has just started. In the meantime she says the people of Hamilton at long last have their first Wendy’s in Frankton to try.

Interest in the restaurant opening has been huge, says Lendich. “Wendy’s already has strong ties to the Waikato. A lot of our ingredients are sourced from here - our bacon, chicken, milk, frosty and much of our fresh prime beef comes from the Waikato region, even our advertising.”

“We’ve wanted to come to Hamilton for a long time, but it’s been a case of finding the right location and working through the process.”

Support from fans has been big a big motivator, says Lendich, with a dedicated Facebook page set up by Waikato supporters and Wendy’s own Facebook page “going nuts”.

“We’re proud of the new store and the great new team we have here in Frankton,” says Lendich. “At a time when other businesses are laying people off, we’ve created 40 new jobs and we’ll be taking on more when Te Rapa is complete.”

With the roll-out of a fresh new look underway, the new Frankton restaurant boasts café style seating, group seating for larger dining parties and a Drive Thru so customers can fuel up on the go.

Wendy’s relationship with the Waikato runs deep, with longtime suppliers including Tatua, Fonterra and Inghams. It also sources its Manuka smoked streaky bacon from award-winning Te Awamutu butcher Magill’s. Even Wendy’s advertising comes from Hamilton says Lendich, with ad agency King St doing a great job of “re-energising” the brand.

“We’re a family owned business with old fashioned values, many of our suppliers have been with us from the start. Such relationships are integral to the success of Wendy’s, these people are our family.”

Celebrating 25 years in New Zealand in May, Wendy’s NZ is owned and operated by West Auckland family the Lendichs with CEO Danielle taking the reigns 12 years ago.

Part of an ongoing brand transformation, a contemporary new logo - the first change in 30 years - is being rolled out across the company’s advertising, packaging, instore signage and online.

Wendy’s Frankton will open its doors from 8am on Thursday 11 July.

ENDS

© Scoop Media