Wendy's Reorganizes To Repair Rift With Franchisees

Dave Near, the Wendy's multi-unit franchise owner who recently was appointed its Chief Operating Officer, is now focusing intently on building stronger relations between franchiser and franchisee.

Dave Norman, head of Wendy's Old Fashioned Franchisee Association, said that the company's Franchise Advisory Council wasn't listening to the concerns of franchise owners. He told Business First journal, "Franchisee's have complained about the company "getting away from being the quality brand."

As one of his first acts since becoming COO last month, Near, who has experience running 29 outlets in Texas and is the son of former Wendy's CEO Jim Near, has created the Restaurant Services Department. 

Ed Choe, previously Wendy's senior vice president of the northeast region, will fill the new position of executive vice president of restaurant services. He will report directly to Near. The new department has been given the charge to improve the coordination and assistance provided to Wendy's restaurants.