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Wendy's of Denver LLC company history timeline

1969

Wendy's hallmark square hamburgers and homey atmosphere were introduced in Columbus, Ohio, in 1969, and since that time the company has enjoyed phenomenal growth.

1972

Thomas opened a second location just one year later and began franchising his idea in 1972.

1974

By the end of 1974 the chain's net income topped $1 million, and total sales reached almost $25 million.

Near had become a Wendy's franchisee in 1974, opening 39 successful restaurants in West Virginia and Florida within four years.

1975

1975: First international restaurant opens in Canada.

1976

Wendy's went public in 1976 with an offering of one million common shares valued at $28 per share.

1977

The chain's rapid expansion was supported by Wendy's first national advertising campaign in 1977.

1978

1978: The 1,000th Wendy's opens in Springfield, Tennessee.

1979

In November 1979 Wendy's celebrated its tenth birthday with many "firsts" to flaunt.

The chain had introduced its "Garden Spot" in 1979 over Thomas's protestations, becoming the first national restaurant chain to offer salad bars nationwide.

1982

Thomas left his position as CEO in 1982, taking the title of senior chairman.

1983

In 1983 Wendy's ads depicted "victims" of other hamburger restaurants, humorously bemoaning the long waits endured in indoor and drive-up lines for frozen hamburger patties.

1984

1984: Famous and award-winning "Where's the Beef?" ad campaign is run.

1985

These new products and the phenomenal success of the "Where's the Beef?" campaign catapulted Wendy's to a record $76.2 million in earnings in 1985.

1986

In 1986 the chain introduced sit-down breakfasts featuring omelettes and French toast.

1989

In 1989 Thomas reappeared in commercials offering customers a special money-back guarantee if they did not concur that Wendy's had the best-tasting hamburgers in the industry.

1989: Thomas begins another stint as advertising spokesperson; the Super Value Menu debuts.

1994

Having brought Wendy's to this high point, Near decided to step down from the CEO position in late 1994 (while remaining chairman). He was replaced by Gordon Teter, who had served Wendy's as senior vice-president for three years and chief operating officer for four.

In 1994 same-store sales dropped to 2.7 percent in the first nine months of that year, compared to the quarter-to-quarter rate of 5 percent for the previous few years.

1995

In 1995, Wendy's aggressive foreign expansion plan called for the company to open at least 150 new restaurants a year around the world.

1996

Within the United States, the company planned to be opening approximately 400 stores a year by 1996.

In addition, in 1996, Wendy's bought out Hardee's restaurants in the northern tier of states, strengthening the company's position there as well.

First introduced in 1996, the late-night service helped the chain gain market share at the expense of its two main rivals.

1997

Following Near's death in July 1997, president and CEO Teter became chairman of Wendy's International as well.

1997: The 5,000th Wendy's restaurant opens in Columbus, Ohio.

1999

In December 1999 Teter died suddenly at age 56.

Overall, profits began increasing again in 1999, reaching $167 million on Wendy's International revenues of $2.07 billion.

2002

Following positive test results, the new line was rolled out nationally in early 2002 backed by the biggest ad campaign in company history.

2005

With the infusion of capital from Wendy's International, the chain hoped to expand to 50 units by 2005.

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Founded
1969
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Headquarters
Atlanta, GA
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