Wendy's of the Caribbean? First Set for 2011

Wendy’s/Arby’s International, a subsidiary of Wendy’s/Arby’s Group Inc., announced the signing of a long-term restaurant development agreement that will give the Wendy’s brand significant presence throughout the Eastern Caribbean.

The agreement calls for the development of 24 Wendy’s restaurants over the next 10 years in Trinidad and Tobago and eight other markets. The first of these restaurants is scheduled to open in 2011 in Trinidad.

“This agreement will enable us to expand Wendy’s brand presence throughout the Caribbean basin,” says Wendy’s/Arby’s Group president and CEO Roland Smith. “In the north, our franchise restaurants in Puerto Rico and the Bahamas generate some of the highest annual unit volumes in our international system; and, in the west, we have a growing presence in Central America. Now, we’re building on this regional momentum by entering the Eastern Caribbean with a highly capable franchise team.”

The new franchise is led by Dane Darbasie, who has 17 years of restaurant industry experience, including serving as CEO and director of a publicly traded restaurant management company for 12 years.

“We’re honored to have the opportunity to be associated with Wendy’s, one of the world’s leading restaurant brands. We believe the brand’s strong focus on premium quality, menu development, and operational excellence provides us with a terrific platform for future growth in our target markets,” Darbasie says.

In addition to Trinidad and Tobago, Wendy’s restaurants are planned in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent, and Suriname.