DUBLIN, Ohio, June 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wendy's
Company (Nasdaq: WEN), the owners of Kusto Group, and Global
Investors Limited ("Wissol Group") announced today
three strategic development agreements to expand Wendy's® brand
presence in the Central Asia Region over the next nine years.
Together, these partners will help deliver on Wendy's strategic
growth pillar of expanding the brand's footprint, bringing the
Wendy's presence to a total of 65 restaurants across The Republic
of Georgia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan by 2030. To initiate the
development plans, Kusto Group and Wissol Group opened the
first two Wendy's restaurants in Kazakhstan located in the historic center of
Almaty earlier this year, along
with opening a new drive-thru only restaurant in May located on a
Wissol gas station in the Gelovani district of Tbilisi, Georgia.
Abigail Pringle, President,
International and Chief Development Officer of The Wendy's Company,
said, "We're excited to expand Wendy's presence across the Central
Asia Region with world-class, experienced franchisees that have
strong operations experience, local development expertise and a
proven track record for growing brands internationally. Kusto
Group and Wissol Group, and their owners and affiliates, share
our values and passion for quality and exceptional customer
service. We firmly believe that our great-tasting, signature menu
items – featuring made-to-order hamburgers, premium chicken
sandwiches, fresh salads, fries, chili and Frosty® desserts – will
appeal to consumers who are looking for more options and
high-quality food at a great price."
Yerkin Tatishev, Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Kusto Group, said, "Customers should expect high-quality,
fresh products and ingredients from Wendy's. It is very important
to our organization that menu items are prepared and sourced
locally, working with farmers and suppliers in both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to deliver on Wendy's elevated menu
standards."
Dr. Samson Pkhakadze, President of Wissol Group said, "We've
been a proud Wendy's franchisee since we opened the first Wendy's
restaurant in Georgia in 2014. We
are thrilled to grow the Wendy's brand in Georgia, and to partner with Kusto Group,
and their owners and affiliates, to bring Wendy's to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan after making the brand a favourite
restaurant in Georgia. Wendy's is
a well-established, iconic global brand, and is known for quality.
We have every confidence that the brand will also be successful and
beloved by customers in the Central Asia Region."
Forward Looking Statements
This release contains
certain statements that are not historical facts, including
statements regarding the Company's intention to expand its presence
in The Republic of Georgia,
Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan in
collaboration with Kusto Group and Wissol Group. Those statements,
as well as statements preceded by, followed by or that include the
words "will," "may," "believes," "intends," "plans," "expects,"
"anticipates," or similar expressions constitute "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform Act"). The forward-looking
statements are based on the Company's expectations at the time,
speak only as of the dates they are made and are susceptible to a
number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our
actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially
from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement.
These factors include, but are not limited to, the factors
identified in the "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements and Projections" and "Risk Factors" sections of our
Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and
in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For all forward-looking statements, the Company claims the
protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements
contained in the Reform Act.
About The Wendy's Company
Wendy's® was
founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas in
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A. Dave built
his business on the premise, "Quality is Our Recipe®,"
which remains the guidepost of the Wendy's system. Wendy's is
primarily engaged in the business of operating, developing and
franchising a system of distinctive quick-service restaurants
serving high quality food. The Wendy's Company (Nasdaq: WEN) is
committed to doing the right thing and making a positive difference
in the lives of others. Today, Wendy's and its franchisees operate
more than 6,800 restaurants worldwide with a vision of becoming the
world's most thriving and beloved restaurant brand. For details on
franchising, connect with us
at www.wendys.com/franchising.
Visit the following sites or connect with us on social media for
more information:
The Republic of Georgia:
https://wendys.ge/ge/wendys (website),
https://www.facebook.com/WendysGeorgia (Facebook) or on Instagram
using @wendysgeorgia
Kazakhstan:
https://www.facebook.com/Wendys-Kazakhstan-109212694306323/ (Facebook)
or on Instagram using @wendys.kz
Uzbekistan:
https://www.facebook.com/wendysuzbekistan (Facebook)
About Kusto Group
International company Kusto Group
was founded by Yerkin Tatishev and his partners in 2002. Today
Kusto Group has a great experience in launching business projects
in multiple directions and has more than 30 companies in 10
countries (Canada, China, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Russia, Singapore, Turkey, Vietnam, Ukraine). The main directions of "Kusto Group"
– agribusiness, oil and gas, real estate, construction materials
and retail.
About Global Investors Limited
The "Wissol Group", one
of the largest business groups in Georgia, is involved in different sectors of
the local economy. The group is represented by its sub-brands:
Wissol Petroleum Georgia – owner and operator of the widest chain
of petrol stations throughout Georgia; Smart Retail – a fast-growing food
supermarket chain; Wissol Auto Express – the exclusive partner
of French oil giant TOTAL retailing lubricants in Georgia; MP Development – Real Estate
Developer; Alma – outdoor and indoor advertising company;
franchisee and developer of restaurant chain under US Wendy's
brand; franchisee and developer of restaurant chain under US
Dunkin' brand.
For more information, please contact:
Georgia Media Contact:
Rusudan Kbilashvili, Head of PR
and CSR, Wissol Group
995.577.102. 201 or pr@wissol.ge
Kazakhstan Media Contact:
Anail Bykov, Chief Executive Officer
+7 705 772 72 52 or a.bykov@wendys.kz
The Wendy's Company Media Contact:
Megan Hill, Manager of Global Communications
+1 614.764.6749 or megan.hill@wendys.com
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SOURCE The Wendy’s Company