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Wendy’s Launches National Search for New CMO


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Marketing Will Continue to Focus on Accelerating Sales and Better Connecting With Consumers

Investor Contacts:
John Barker
(614) 764-3044
john_barker@wendys.com


Media Contacts:
Denny Lynch
(614) 764-3553

Marsha Gordon
(614) 764-3019
marsha_gordon@wendys.com

Bob Bertini
(614) 764-3327

Kim Messner
(614) 764-6796
kim_messner@wendys.com

Wendy’s International, Inc. (NYSE: WEN) announced today that it is conducting an aggressive national search for a new Chief Marketing Officer to replace Ian Rowden, who is resigning as CMO to return to his native Australia for personal reasons.

Over the past six months, Wendy’s has accelerated its focus on improving brand recognition, particularly among younger consumers, with its “That’s Right” campaign featuring its iconic red wig.

Moving forward, the Company intends to capitalize on the momentum generated from the campaign to accelerate same-store sales and further improve profits at every restaurant in the Wendy’s system.

“Ian was instrumental in re-awakening the Wendy’s brand and driving innovation, and he has agreed to work with me to help transition marketing as we search for our next CMO,” said Chief Executive Officer and President Kerrii Anderson. “We wish Ian and his family well in the future.”

Wendy’s Will Accelerate Next Phase of Branding and Marketing

“We will take the success of our ‘That’s Right’ campaign and expand it to include more back-to-basics messages that are at the heart of Wendy’s positioning – quality, fresh food, innovation and a great consumer experience,” said Anderson. “We will evolve our marketing efforts to drive sales and resonate more powerfully with our customers, franchisees and employees.”

Wendy’s will continue to work with Saatchi and Saatchi and kirshenbaum bond to develop the evolution of its marketing campaign. The campaign will continue to be an important element of the Company’s strategy to revitalize the Wendy’s brand and build sales and profit momentum.

“There is a great deal of work ahead of us,” said Anderson. “We’ve delivered six consecutive quarters of positive same-store sales and significant profit improvement at the restaurant and corporate level. That said, our store economics are still not where they need to be. We have more opportunity to drive sales, innovate with our superior quality positioning and further improve restaurant operations. Our strategic plan, which we launched a year ago, put a strong foundation in place. Phase 2 of our strategic plan, launched this fall, is laser-focused on Doing What’s Right for Our Customers. This will be clearly articulated in every aspect of our marketing.”

Kershisnik and Holtcamp to Lead Wendy’s Marketing on Interim Basis

Paul Kershisnik, senior vice president of marketing strategy and innovation, and Bob Holtcamp, vice president of brand management, will lead Wendy’s marketing on an interim basis and report directly to Anderson.

Kershisnik is responsible for research and development, strategic insights and innovation. His 21-year career includes positions with some of the world’s best-known consumer brands, including Pizza Hut/PepsiCo, General Mills and Sprint. Most recently, he served as Vice President of New Product Innovations and Research & Development for Mrs. Fields Famous Brands in Salt Lake City. Kershisnik holds an M.B.A. from Brigham Young University and a B.S. from the University of Utah.

Holtcamp will continue to manage Wendy’s brand group, our new product-driven menu strategy and the consumer-driven restaurant experience. He will also continue to manage the creative and messaging strategy with our advertising agencies, and he will oversee field marketing. Before joining Wendy’s, Holtcamp worked for Aurora Foods’ Van de Kamp seafood brand, Mrs. Paul’s Seafood, Miller Brewing Company and held account executive roles at various advertising agencies. Holtcamp holds an M.B.A. from Washington University and a B.A. from University of Illinois.

Wendy’s International, Inc. Overview

Wendy’s International, Inc. is one of the world’s largest and most successful restaurant operating and franchising companies with more than 6,600 restaurants. Wendy’s recently received brand, food and operations accolades from:

* Zagat Survey®, a leading global provider of consumer survey content, which recently named Wendy’s as having the best hamburgers in the quick-service restaurant industry. In addition, Wendy’s ranked first among quick-service “mega-chains” (i.e., those with at least 5,000 outlets) for food, facilities and popularity.
* This year’s American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) survey, produced by the University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross Business School, ranked Wendy’s in the top spot for customer satisfaction in the “limited service restaurants” category.
* QSR® Magazine’s 2007 Consumer Survey recently rated Wendy’s as consumers’ favorite quick-service restaurant (QSR) for the second-straight year.
* Speedy service earned Wendy’s the top spot for fastest drive-thru times again, according to QSR® Magazine’s 2007 Drive-Thru Study.

More information about the Company is available at www.wendys-invest.com.

Safe Harbor statement

Certain information in this news release, particularly information regarding future economic performance and finances, and plans, expectations and objectives of management, is forward looking. Factors set forth in our Safe Harbor under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, in addition to other possible factors not listed, could affect the Company’s actual results and cause such results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Please review the Company’s Safe Harbor statement at http://www.wendys-invest.com/safeharbor.



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