NEW MILFORD – Wendy’s, known for its fresh, square-shaped hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and tasty fries – also home of the famous “Baconater” burger and “Frosty” shake – will open a new location on Route 7, the north side of town.

Founded in 1969, this top-three fast food burger giant has 47 locations in the state that are all owned by franchisees, and the company has over 5,700 locations throughout the United States.

Meritage Hospitality Group, also known as MHGI, based in Grand Rapids, MI, is the franchisee that recently bought 27 Wendy’s restaurants in Connecticut earlier this year, which was part of a larger acquisition.

Located at 132-134 Danbury Road, the company will begin renovating an existing 2,981-square-foot building in early July that Arby’s once occupied. It has planned for 68 seats in the dining area and will employ 30 to 40 workers. Doors are expected to open in the early fall.

Weston Persons, spokesman for MHGI, said that Meritage is operating under a sublease to Wendy’s Corporation. A 20-year lease was signed, and the property is owned by NEMCO, a limited partnership company.

Over two months ago the Zoning Commission unanimously approved Wendy’s to move forward with the building and façade renovations, reconfiguration of the drive thru, and associated parking, lighting, and landscaping modifications to the existing fast food restaurant structure.

Although the company has not yet selected a contractor or an interior designer, they will follow the Wendy’s standard where “the restaurant uses innovative interior and exterior designs to reinvent the Wendy’s restaurant environment,” stated Persons.

This leading fast food restaurant’s signature look-and-feel of their latest concepts feature streamlined interior and exterior accents, trendy open-concept floor plans and modern tables with ample seating.

Persons said that Meritage and Wendy’s are always seeking new growth opportunities in all markets and that New Milford is considered a desirable location. The nearest Wendy’s location to the north is Torrington and to the south is Brookfield.

Meritage also announced this week that they’re building a new Wendy’s building in Vernon, CT and construction will begin in late July.

“This is a great new opportunity for Meritage, where it stands out from our other restaurants and expands our footprint in Connecticut. We are an organization that loves to see growth and progress, and this is just one more step in our continued forward-progress,” added Persons.

Since the acquisition, Meritage now owns 304 Wendy’s restaurants throughout the country.

Meritage has owned Wendy’s restaurants since the 1980’s. “They have been a great restaurant to own. The concept has unique characteristics and it’s a wonderful franchise model. In recent years, the Wendy’s brand has been undergoing some revitalization that has allowed it to stand out among its competitors,” said Persons.

Wendy’s Facts

The Wendy’s Company is a publicly traded multinational franchise corp.

The company made $1.2 billion in revenue last year.

There are 6,634 restaurants worldwide.

Average annual sales per North American restaurant: $1.61 million.

Source: Wendy’s

Who is the girl on the Wendy’s logo?

Melinda Lou “Wendy” Morse is the namesake and mascot of the Wendy’s brand. She’s the daughter and fourth child of Wendy’s founder, Dave Thomas.

The original article by Alicia Sakal originally appeared online and on the Business front page in the June 6, 2018 edition of Republican-American, a regional daily newspaper in 36 towns and cities in Litchfield County and Greater Waterbury, Connecticut.

Old Building Photo: Alicia Sakal / Logo and Building Rendering: Contributed by Meritage