Wendy’s Moves Atlanta Office Back to Ohio

DUBLIN, Ohio — Wendy's announced today that its Atlanta support center will be moved back to its world headquarters in Dublin, Ohio. The Wendy's Company (NYSE:WEN) plans to shutter its Atlanta center by late 2012, moving some 170 positions to Ohio.

When Atlanta-based Arby's bought out Wendy's in 2008, Arby's consolidated Dublin's workforce. It brought executives to Atlanta but also kept 400 employees in the old Dublin, Ohio headquarters of Wendy's. This summer Wendy's/Arby's sold Arby's to private equity firm Roark Capital Group in Atlanta in October and has now decided to close down the Atlanta office.

"While this was a difficult decision considering the excellent employees we have in Atlanta, I believe it is important to bring our entire restaurant support center together in one location. This action will help us strengthen collaboration and teamwork as we grow our iconic brand," said Wendy's President and Chief Executive Officer Emil Brolick.

In August 2011, the Company announced the move of its corporate headquarters and about 50 positions from Atlanta to Dublin. The Company also announced at that time the investment of more than $11 million to extensively renovate its facilities at One Dave Thomas Boulevard in Dublin. The City of Dublin and the State of Ohio provided long-term incentives to support the move.

The State of Ohio has offered expanded its incentives to bring the 170 Georgia jobs to Dublin. This offer was a major factor in the Company's decision to consolidate in Ohio.

Most Atlanta-based employees will be offered the opportunity to relocate to Central Ohio. Atlanta-based employees will receive retention bonuses to help facilitate the Company's transition to Dublin, and those not relocating will receive enhanced severance packages, outplacement counseling services and other benefits.