Wendy’s is pursuing steady global expansion in 2025, opening 74 new restaurants in Q1 alone—including 28 in the U.S. as part of its plan to add 1,000 new locations and achieve $700 million in EBITDA by 2028. A key area of focus is international growth, with 60% of Q1 openings occurring outside the U.S., indicating the brand’s strategic shift toward high-growth global markets. At the same time, Wendy’s plans to close 140 underperforming restaurants worldwide in 2025, accelerating some of those closures ahead of schedule to improve operational efficiency and unit economics. These adjustments are part of a broader performance optimization strategy aimed at strengthening long-term profitability.
For net lease investors, Wendy’s remains a solid QSR tenant with strong brand recognition, though selectivity is essential. The company is actively investing in technology upgrades, including AI-driven ordering systems and digital menu boards, and plans to roll out its FreshAI platform to 400 additional drive-thrus by year-end. These innovations aim to improve speed, accuracy, and customer experience—factors that support long-term lease viability. Investors should prioritize newer prototype stores with drive-thru capabilities, ideally in suburban growth markets or near retail hubs. While closures warrant caution in weaker trade areas, Wendy’s forward-thinking approach to operations and global growth make it a strong consideration for well-positioned NNN investments.