‘A new burger queen in Queensland’: US burger chain Wendy’s opens first Aussie branch in Gold Coast
Popular US international fast food chain Wendy’s will open the doors to its first Australian branch in the Gold Coast on Wednesday.
It is the first of 200 expected to open down under by 2034 — serving their iconic square-shaped hamburgers, Frosty’s, chicken burgers and loaded fries, for a taste of the States in Surfer’s Paradise.
The flagship store, in Paradise Centre at 2 Cavill Ave, will be the first to offer menu items exclusive to the Australian market, such as their new double hand-breaded chicken tenders and a signature dipping sauce.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“Move over kings, colonels and clowns, there’s a new burger queen in Queensland,” Wendy’s said.
Wendy’s Company international president EJ Wunsch called the opening of the first Wendy’s restaurant on Australia’s Gold Coast, “an exciting milestone, showcasing the brand’s global relevance.”
The restaurant chain, recognisable for the red-headed girl with pigtails in its logo, was popularised internationally by mentions in movies and television shows over decades.
The first Wendy’s restaurant opened in Ohio in 1969, and the company now has 7000 restaurants worldwide.
Its entrance into the Australian market was driven by major franchisee Flynn Group, which acquired the master franchisee license for Australia and New Zealand in 2024. Flynn also acquired over 260 Pizza Hut restaurants in Australia in 2023.
While the Wendy’s brand is recognisably American, its offering in Australia has been tweaked for the locals.
The beef and chicken served at Australian Wendy’s will be 100 per cent Australian sourced, and various iterations of the menu were trialled using feedback from a local audience, the company said.
In the US, Flynn Group began acquiring its more than 190 Wendy’s franchises in 2021 — the group is also a major franchisee for other iconic American brands including Applebee’s, Taco Bell, and Panera.
“We’re proud to bring a fresh approach to the Australian food scene. The Wendy’s brand was built on doing things differently, from square hamburgers to being one of the most talked about brands on social media,” Flynn Group chief transformation officer Lauren Leahy said.
“We’ve put our guests in the centre of every detail from a vibrant new restaurant design with a laser focus on delivering the best chicken and hamburger experience.”
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Originally published on 7NEWS
