Wendy’s Hamburgers is pulling out of the UK, marking its second failure to take off in Britain.
The fast-food chain operates 10-restaurants, mainly in London, including its flagship store at 342-349 Oxford Street. The unit comprises 185 sq m (1,991 sq ft) on the ground floor and 230 sq m (2,476 sq ft) in the basement. Other units are located on Shaftesbury Avenue and King’s Cross in Central London, with other outlets at Wood Green, Acton, Uxbridge, Croydon, Hounslow, Watford and Leeds.
The company blamed underperformance, coupled with high real estate and operating costs for the stores’ failure. Its first attempt to hit the UK market ended in 1986 when Whitbread bought it out for £6.8m. The decision was reversed in 1992.
Blair Kirkman is marketing agent for Wendy’s leases and expects a piecemeal sale rather than selling the portfolio intact.
Retail Week 29/10/99 page 20
