Triarc Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRY; TRY.B), the parent company of Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc., which is the franchisor of the Arby’s® restaurant system, and Wendy’s International, Inc. (NYSE: WEN), announced today that they have completed their merger transaction. Effective immediately, the combined company will be named Wendy’s/Arby’s Group, Inc.
Under the merger agreement, Wendy’s shareholders received 4.25 shares of Triarc’s Class A common stock for each common share of Wendy’s. In addition, each outstanding share of Triarc Class B common stock, Series 1, was converted into one share of Triarc Class A common stock, resulting in a post-merger company with a single class of common stock. Commencing on Tuesday, September 30, 2008, the combined company will trade under the symbol “WEN” on the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, the company will unveil a new corporate web site at www.wendysarbys.com concurrently with the opening of the stock market on that date.
Also effective today, the company’s board of directors was expanded from 11 to 12 members. As previously announced, Russell V. Umphenour, Jr. has resigned and two former Wendy’s directors, Janet Hill and J. Randolph Lewis, have been appointed to the Board of Directors. Additionally, Roland C. Smith has assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Wendy’s/Arby’s Group and Chief Executive Officer of Wendy’s, Thomas A. Garrett has assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of Arby’s, Michael I. Lippert has assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer of Arby’s, J. David Karam has assumed the position of President of Wendy’s, Stephen D. Farrar has assumed the position of Chief Operating Officer of Wendy’s and Kenneth C. Calwell has assumed the position of Chief Marketing Officer of Wendy’s.
Wendy’s/Arby’s Group plans to hold a conference call for analysts and investors in early November to discuss third quarter financial results, as well as to provide an update on the progress of the combined company’s merger integration activities.
